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He cups my face, brushing his thumbs along my cheeks. “Tonight was perfect. You were perfect.”

“I was on the clock,” I say with a small smile. “Professional bridesmaid perfection is kind of my thing.”

He lifts an eyebrow. “Pretty sure what you were doing on that dance floor wasn’t in the job description.”

I smirk. “Neither was sexting the groom’s brother.”

“Or agreeing to get spanked for self-deprecating comments?”

“Definitely not covered in the service package.”

His hands settle at my waist. “But it’s all real now, Jackie. Wedding’s over. We’ve been living in this little bubble for the past few days… I think it’s time to talk about what happens next.”

A flicker of apprehension passes through me. I nod slowly. “Yeah. I was thinking about that too.”

We settle on the couch, facing each other, our knees brushing. I pull my legs up underneath me, trying to organize the swirl of thoughts in my head. “So. Full disclosure.”

He lifts his chin, giving me his full attention.

“I don’t actually liveinCharlotte,” I begin. “Most of my work takes place there, but I’ve got a little cottage about forty minutes outside the city. It’s quiet. Small-town quiet. Which I like. I think I need that contrast to what I do.”

Matt leans back slightly, expression unreadable, and I rush to fill the silence. “I know it might complicate things. And I don’t expect anything. I just didn’t want to lie or make it sound like I was next door or?—”

“Jackie.” He cuts in gently, resting his hand on my knee. “Relax. You told me the truth. That’s all I ever ask.”

His thumb strokes my skin as he nods thoughtfully. “That actually lines up perfectly. I’ve been thinking about changing gears for a while now.”

I blink. “You? Really?”

He lets out a low breath and leans forward, resting his elbows on his knees. “Yeah. I love chasing storms. It’ll always be part of me. But I’ve been pushing hard for years. Constant travel, late nights, barely staying in one place long enough to know what drawer my socks are in.”

I smile. “You don’t strike me as a man who doesn’t know exactly what drawer his socks are in.”

He grins. “Guilty. But lately, I’ve been thinking… I don’t want this to be my whole life. I’ve got enough contacts and experienceto start consulting. I can work with emergency planning teams, meteorological firms, maybe even teaching some courses here and there. Still get my hands dirty with the really big storms, but not be on the road twenty-four-seven.”

A pause.

“That life… has room for someone else. If they want to be part of it.” My heart does a quiet flip. His eyes meet mine, serious now. “But I want to be clear about something. What we started this weekend? It’s not casual to me. I don’t do temporary well. If this is going to work, I need it to be real. I needyouto be real with me.”

I swallow. “Okay.”

“I want to take care of you. That’s not just a kink thing—it’s how I love. Protectively. Consistently. Deeply. But if I’m going to be your Daddy, I need to know what you’re ready for. How much control you want to give up. Where your boundaries are.”

I sit with the question for a few long breaths.

“I don’t think I know the full answer yet,” I admit. “But I want to figure it out—with you. I want toworkmy way into it. A little at a time.”

He nods. “That’s more than fair.”

“I’ve spent so long in control,” I say. “Managing things, fixing problems, anticipating issues before they show up. I want to let go… but I also want to feel safe while I do. I’m not ready to hand over everything. Not yet. But Iamready to start.”

Matt leans forward again, taking both my hands in his.

“Then here’s what we’re going to do,” he says, voice steady. “Three rules. Three expectations. And as we move forward, we’ll adjust together.”

I nod slowly, breath catching a little at the gravity in his tone.

“One,” he says, holding up a finger. “You keep yourself safe. That means rest, food, basic self-care. If I ask you if you’ve eaten or slept, I expect an honest answer.”