Page 7 of Princess Josie (Littleworld)

I need to take control here. I take another step back, holding the door. “Please, come in.” I hold out a hand. “Chase Reynolds. I am a detective, but I’m not here in a working capacity.” I’m not sure how much Josie would like her mother to know about where she was last night.

The woman steps inside and tentatively takes my hand, assessing me. “Ilsa Miller.”

“Mom…” Josie’s voice trails off. I suspect she isn’t sure what to say either.

She draws in a breath. I hate her discomfort, but I need to take my cues from her.

“I had some anxiety last night at the costume party. It was too crowded and the Cinderella costume was itchy and the lights and the noise and my shoes and the lollipop and I panicked.”

I guess her mother must know quite a bit about her daughter, so I chime in. “I recognized your daughter’s distress and brought her home, ma’am. I didn’t want to leave her alone, so I slept on the couch.”

Ilsa releases a slow breath. “Thank you. That was kind.”

I glance at Josie again. I want to pull her into my arms. She’s shaking and gripping the front of her robe together. “Why don’t you go get dressed?” I encourage. “I’ll talk to your mom.”

Josie hesitates, staring at me.

I step toward her. She needs me. I need her to look me in the eye. When I reach her, I don’t touch her, but I lean closer to her ear and whisper, “It’s okay, princess. I promise.”

I pray to God I can keep that promise.

Josie seems to relax slightly as she backs up so I can pull her door closed.

When I turn around, I find her mother staring at me. “Are you, uh…”

“Everything I told you is true, Mrs. Miller, but I won’t deny I’m interested in your daughter as far more than a friend.” I might as well get this out there. Denial won’t help me. I’m going to need Ilsa to trust me.

I point toward the couch. “Would you like to sit?”

She slowly lowers herself onto one end of the couch.

I take the armchair. “Ask me anything.”

Her mouth opens. I’m sure she’s struggling to decide what to say. She glances at the pillows on the couch and then around the room. “How well do you know my daughter?”

“I’ve known her for six months. I was at the party last night.” I’m not sure if she knows where the party was, so I don’t offer that.

“So you’re a member of the Dungeon?” she asks.

Okay, she must know her daughter very well indeed. “Yes.”

She glances at the end table where I set my badge. “You really are a cop?”

“Yes.”

Ilsa crosses her legs. “My daughter is…”

“I know she has sensory processing disorder. So does my sister. That’s how I recognized it.”

She looks surprised. “Oh. And I guess you know she’s…” Her gaze goes to the hamster pillow next to me.

I wait for her to finish because I will not break my Little girl’s confidence. I wouldn’t break the trust of any member of the club, but especially not Josie’s. If her mother knows she enjoys age play, she’s going to have to supply that information.

I lean forward, setting my elbows on my knees. I thread my fingers together and wait for Ilsa to finish her sentence.

She sighs. “You’re a member of the club. You must know my daughter’s kink preferences.”

I nod. Do you?

“Her father and I worry about her. She hasn’t…” Ilsa doesn’t finish her sentence again. “Please don’t take advantage of her.”

“I would never. I give you my word. I care about her. A lot. I’d like her in my life if she’s interested. I would never do anything to hurt her.”

Josie bursts into the room. I sit up straighter to look at her. She’s wearing black leggings and a pink cotton dress that has Dalmatians on it. Her feet are bare. Her hair is no longer in messy buns. It’s in pigtails. She brushed out her hair so it’s hanging thick past her shoulders.

She’s the most adorable I’ve ever seen her.

She’s breathing heavily. “Mom, please tell me you didn’t grill my… Chase.”

Her mother sits up straighter. “Of course I did. It’s my job. You’ll be pleased to know he revealed nothing.”

Josie’s shoulders lower.

I hold out a hand toward her, encouraging her to come to me.

She shuffles toward me, which warms my heart. Her trust. In front of her mom.

I take her hand and help her sit next to me, keeping her hand in mine. I hold it against my thigh.

Ilsa’s eyes widen again as she stares at our connection.

“He knows I’m Little, Mom.”

“Okay.” She turns her gaze toward me again.

“I promise to be careful with your daughter’s heart,” I tell her.

Josie turns toward me, tipping her head back.

Ilsa stands, clutching her purse at her side. “Okay. I’ll go. I was just worried about you.”

“I’m so sorry I forgot to text you last night, Mom. I was frazzled.”

“It’s okay, honey. Maybe the two of you could come to dinner next weekend? I’m sure your father will want to meet Chase.”

Josie’s breath hitches as if she hates this idea, but when I glance at her, I don’t think it’s her parents she’s worried about. It’s me. She doesn’t think I would want to go.

I release Josie’s hand and rise. “That sounds great. Let Josie know what night, and we’ll be there.” I walk her to the door and hold it open for her.

“Thank you.” She smiles at me. I think I chipped away at her concerns.

I totally understand. She has every right to be protective of her daughter.

I will work my ass off to prove myself worthy.

I have no problem with that. I’m glad Josie has good parents who are supportive, know she’s Little, and don’t judge her. It’s a blessing.

After I shut the door, I return to Josie, sit next to her again, and take her hand.

“You didn’t have to do that,” she says.

“Do what?”

“Agree to have dinner with my parents. They’re overprotective.”

“They worry about you. They love you. I’m so glad you have them. I want to get to know them.”

“You’re serious.”

“Very.”

She licks her lips.

I lift my free hand, making sure she’s watching me as I cup her face. “You look so pretty this morning.”

I love how her cheeks flush. “I don’t have many other things. This is how I dress.”

“Well, I love it. You’re perfect just the way you are. I love that you allow yourself to be you.” I drag my thumb over her lips. “I have to go so I can run home, shower, and change for work. Will you be okay? You seem less anxious this morning.”

“I’ll be fine. I have to work today too.”

“I meant to ask you. What do you do for work?”

“I translate novels into German.”

I blink. “I had no idea. How fascinating. I guess your mom is German?” Now that I think about it, she might have had a slight accent.

“Yes. My parents raised me bilingual.”

“That’s amazing. So you work from home?”

“Yes. Translators are in high demand. It’s hard to find qualified people. I have a waiting list.”

“That is so cool.” I’m truly intrigued.

She shrugs. “It’s just a job. Luckily I usually love it. Unless the book is boring.” She giggles.

“I guess that happens sometimes too.” I’m still holding her face. “May I come back after work, Little one?”

“If you want to. You don’t have to.”

I lean closer. “I want to see you every single day for the rest of my life. I want everything with you. But first, I want to kiss you again.”

She smiles. “Okay.”

I lower my lips to hers and kiss her soundly, teasing her lips again with my tongue. When I draw back, I love how she’s panting. “I get off at six. Can I bring dinner?”

She nods.

“I’ll put my number in your phone, Baby girl. You text me during the day and let me know what foods you hate and what foods are your favorite, okay?”

She licks her pretty lips. “Okay.”

“Good girl.” I release her to grab my shoes and put them back on. God, I don’t want to leave. I know as soon as I’m out the door, her doubts will seep in, and I hate that.

I need to get moving though, so I quickly gather my things, program my number into her phone under the name Daddy and kiss her again at the door. “I’ll be here by seven, Little one.”

“Okay.”

I lift a brow and grin at her. “Okay what?”

She giggles. “Okay, Daddy.”

Damn, I’m in deep.