Page 12 of Daddy's Damaged Little Girl

Sage listened to the door snap closed behind her. The anger and pain she’d held in since she met the girl came rushing up, making her gasp for breath. She needed to find a secluded place to let loose because she wouldn’t make it to her office or apartment before she screamed.

She caught sight of one of the conference rooms with the door open and the room dark. She rushed to it and closed the door behind her before she found a place where she could curl up and cry.

Under the table seemed to be the only place she could hide. She scrambled under it and sat near one of the table legs in the middle. Her knees came up to her chest, and she wrapped her arms around her legs, pressing her face against them.

A strangled cry came from her mouth, and then sobs. She had no idea how long she’d been there when the door opened and the light came on. Her first thought was a meeting was starting.

“Sage.”

Her heartbeat skipped in her chest, and she held tighter to her legs. There was no way Sebastian could know she was there. The last thing she wanted was for him to see her so weak and out of control. She bit down hard on her lip, making it bleed to keep her emotions in check until he left.

“Sweetheart. I know you’re in here. I saw you. I had to drop something off, and then I came straight here.”

She shook her head violently but still didn’t make a sound.

“Baby, I’m not leaving you. Let me help.”

A sob escaped from her throat before she got control again, but it was enough for Sebastian to hear. He crouched and saw her.

“Oh, God, Sweetheart. Come here so I can hold you.”

Sage looked at the hand he held out to her. She shook her head. “No.” Her throat was so constricted with emotion that it barely made a sound. “Please go.”

He shook his head. “It’s not going to happen.”

“I want you to go,” she screamed as loud as she could.

He sighed. “I’m sorry. I know you think you have to do this alone, but you don’t.”

“No. I’m alone, and that’s the way it needs to stay.”

“Why?” he asked.

“Because I can’t let myself care about someone or depend on them, and then watch them leave.”

“I’m not going to leave.”

“You don’t know that,” she yelled. “Get the fuck away from me.” She tried everything she could to get him to leave, but he wouldn’t budge.

“If you can’t come to me, I will come to you.” He waited for a moment and then nodded. “Okay.”

He got on his hands and knees and started to crawl to her. He was so large he barely fit, and she could tell it was uncomfortable for him.

“Stop. I’ll come to you.”

Sage released her legs and then turned so she was able to crawl to him. Sebastian went back to crouching and waited patiently for her. He helped her to stand and then studied her, keeping his hand on her shoulders.

She looked away. “I’m okay now. I think I’ll head up to my place.”

He sighed, grabbed her upper arm, and walked to the farthest chair before sitting. She stiffened when he pulled her onto his lap and held her tightly against his chest.

“No. I don’t want this,” she said, pushing away from him.

“Enough,” he growled and spanked her butt once. It didn’t hurt at all, but it got her attention. It was instantaneous and felt natural when all the fight went out of her.

She stared up at him for a moment and felt the emotion she was trying to hold in. She pressed her face against his chest and sobbed.

“There it is. Cry, Sweetheart. You deserve it.” He lifted her higher and pressed her face against his neck.

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