Page 13 of Sophia’s Daddy (Littleworld #23)

Chapter Eleven

Even though I’ve left clothes at Daddy’s house, I don’t see him the next night because I have to work the later shift, and though he offered to pick me up and bring me home with him, I think I need a night alone to absorb everything that’s happened in the last few days.

I think it makes him nervous because he texts me as soon as I get off work and again when I get home. He isn’t pushy, just checking in. I could call him, but I suspect we would end up on the phone for an hour, and I really want to be alone for a while.

It’s after nine when I get home, and I pace my small house for half an hour, looking at everything I own and pondering my life.

Everything is off, though. The place suddenly doesn’t feel like it’s even mine.

I get the sensation I’ve been just staying here, renting this space, temporarily.

It’s true that I don’t own the house, but I’ve never felt like an interloper before.

Also, it’s too quiet. After years of being at peace with my own silence, I don’t like it.

It doesn’t feel like I belong here. I find myself wishing I had gone to Daddy’s house instead like he suggested, but I’m not a big baby, and it’s late.

It’s after ten when I glance at my phone and ponder calling him.

I don’t want him to think I can’t be on my own. I’ve been on my own forever. Now I don’t want to be. My entire outlook on life has changed so fast that I don’t recognize myself.

I like the new me better. I hope she gets to stay. I’ll be devastated if Daddy changes his mind or gets tired of me. I’m already so deeply his in every way. I’ve had intimate experiences with him that I’ve only read about in books before now. What if we break up and he tells people how kinky I am?

Who would he tell? Our mutual friends are also kinky.

Besides, I’m letting my brain run haywire.

There’s no need in me making up ridiculous future possibilities.

They’re so farfetched. I need to take a deep breath and live in the moment, accept my newfound good fortune, and enjoy every minute of it.

I force myself to go through the usual motions of my nighttime routine, taking a shower to wash off the scent of sweet, sticky candy.

I brush my teeth extra long because I know Daddy would approve.

I put on one of my cotton nightgowns and a pair of panties.

I pace around my room, restless. Finally I go to my closet, pull out my box of Little things, and rifle through it.

I don’t know for sure what I’m looking for until I spot it at the bottom of the bin.

It’s a stuffed dog. He’s a terrier. I bought him last year when I dressed up as Dorothy for a Halloween party at the Dungeon. He’s the only stuffed animal I own. I snatch him out of the bin, put the lid back on, and rush over to jump into bed.

Snuggling the terrier against my chest, I curl up on my side, pull the covers over my head, and open my e-reader. Maybe if I read one of my many Little romances, it will take my mind off the fact that I’m lonely.

I can’t focus, though, and I end up reading the same paragraph over and over until I give up. Still curled up and using the dim light of my e-reader to see, I stroke my terrier’s head. “What’s happening to me?” I ask him.

He stares at me, not responding. He really needs a name, and that thought makes me start crying. Why have I kept him in a bin in the closet for all this time? I bet he was scared in there. And why didn’t I give him a name? How mean am I?

I pet him and kiss all over his face until he starts to look happier. I don’t care that it’s an illusion. I keep crying. Pent-up, nervous energy escapes me, and I nearly jump out of my skin when my phone rings on my nightstand.

I reach my arm out to grab it, see that it’s Daddy, and answer it. “Daddy…” I sniffle.

“Sophia? Baby girl, what’s wrong?”

I cry harder. “Everything. And I didn’t name my dog,” I sob.

“Slow down, Baby girl. Tell Daddy what’s happening. Are you hurt or sick?”

I shake my head.

“Sophia?” His voice is urgent.

I realize he can’t see me. “I’m sorry, Daddy. I don’t know why I’m crying. It’s just that my house is lonely and, and, and…”

“I’m coming over. I’ll be there in a few minutes. Can you keep talking to me while I drive?”

I nod again and feel foolish. “Yes, Daddy.” I sniffle. I’m being ridiculous.

“Did something happen, Little one?” he asks. I can hear his engine start. He’s driving already.

“No. Yes. I mean, no. You, you, you…”

“Deep breaths, Little one. I will be there in a few minutes. Where are you?”

“Under the covers in my bed.”

“Okay, will you be able to come out for a minute to open the door for Daddy when I get there?”

“Yes, Sir.” I sniffle and hug the terrier closer, rocking him, silently telling him how sorry I am for keeping him in a box. When did I get this Little? Have I been in denial for all these years?

“What were you saying about a dog? Do you have a dog, Little one?”

I stare at the terrier in my hand. “No. I mean he’s a stuffie.”

“Ohh… Okay. Whew. I was confused for a moment.” He chuckles softly, making me feel slightly lighter.

“I’m here, Baby girl. Come let Daddy in.”

I scurry out from under the covers and rush through the house to the front door. I fling it open and leap into Daddy’s arms, smashing the terrier between us.

He holds me tight as he enters the house and shuts the door behind him. Rubbing my back, he reassures me. “It’s okay, Baby girl. I’m here.” He heads toward my kitchen, opens a few cabinet doors, and finds a cup. After filling it with water, he holds it up. “Take a drink for me, Little one.”

I wish it were a sippy cup, but I don’t have one of those because I’m silly.

I let him hold it up as I turn my head to take a drink.

I’m holding on to him for dear life, my arms and legs wrapped so tightly around his body that he doesn’t even really need the hand under my bottom to keep me from falling.

“Good girl.” He sets the cup down and reaches between us to snag the terrier. “Who do we have here?”

I start sobbing again. “I don’t know,” I wail.

Daddy carries me to the couch and sits with me straddling him. His eyes are frowning, but he’s smiling at the same time in his signature look. “You don’t know who this little dog is? Did he sneak into the house while you had the door open or something?”

I can’t keep from giggling as I shake my head.

“He didn’t sneak in? How did he get here?”

“I bought him for Halloween last year.”

“Oh. I see. But you didn’t name him?”

I shake my head again. “No. I’m a terrible stuffie owner. He’s been in a dark box all this time. He should be very mad at me. And I didn’t even name him.”

Daddy looks at him closely. “He doesn’t look mad. I bet he’s already forgiven you. Let’s give him a name, shall we? How about Shinkerton?”

I giggle. “No way. That’s not a name.”

“Mmm. How about Brownie?”

I look at the dog and think about his suggestion before nodding. “I like that. He does look like a chocolate brownie.”

“He sure does.” Daddy hands him back to me. “Now, why all the tears? Surely you didn’t start crying because poor Brownie didn’t have a name.”

I shrug and look down, feeling self-conscious now that I’m calmed down.

“Tell Daddy what you’re feeling, Little one,” he encourages, rubbing my back.

I draw in a deep breath. “It’s just that everything has changed, and now my house feels weird and lonely. It’s silly.”

“It’s not silly. Your feelings will never be silly, Sophia.

A lot has happened in the last few days.

You’ve learned things about yourself you didn’t know were true.

It’s natural you would be feeling out of sorts and confused.

I’d be surprised if you weren’t. Would you like me to stay here for the night? Would that help?”

I nod. “Would you, Daddy?”

“I’d do anything for you, Little girl. My heart is yours.” He kisses my forehead and lifts me off his lap, setting me on the couch before standing. “I’ll be right back. I’m just going to grab some things from my car, okay?”

I nod, wiping the tears from my eyes. I watch as he disappears out the front door, shaking while he’s gone. I would think he would be frustrated with me for being such a big baby, but he doesn’t seem to be anything except kind and caring.

When he returns, he shuts the front door and locks it. He has a bag over his shoulder, and he lowers it onto the coffee table. It’s a diaper bag. It’s not just any diaper bag. It’s covered with blue teddy bears.

My breath hitches as he opens it. “Where did you get that?” I ask softly, leaning forward because I’m curious about the contents.

“I went to an adult age-play store today during lunch and got some supplies to keep in the car. Good thing because I bet there are several things in here you could use about right now.”

I bite my lip as he pulls out a bottle and a small can of formula. I can only stare as he heads toward the kitchen and returns a minute later shaking the bottle.

I’m already relaxing at the thought of him feeding me. He only introduced me to this level of age play yesterday, and already I feel more connected to my younger Little, a side of me I hadn’t known existed.

“Come, Baby girl.” He shoulders the diaper bag and holds out a hand.

I take it, letting him lead me into my bedroom. The bed is a mess because I was under the covers and tossed them aside when I ran to the door.

Daddy sets the bag next to the bed, removes his shoes, and sits against the headboard. “Climb up and sit on Daddy’s lap.”

I scramble up onto his thighs. My heart rate slows as I lean back in the crook of his arm and accept the bottle.

“That’s my good girl.” He rolls me closer and kisses my forehead. “From now on, you’ll sleep at Daddy’s house. This bed is too small for me, Little one,” he teases.

I keep sucking. I like sleeping at his house.

“We’ll end your lease when you’re ready. No rush. I want you in my home. Our home. Okay, Baby girl?”

I nod slightly.

He smiles. His gaze roams down to my nightie. “This is pretty.” He fingers the ruffled sleeve. It’s just a simple light-blue nightgown. His hand moves to my bare thigh, and I shiver. I really love it when he touches my thigh.

When the bottle is empty, I feel ten times better. Daddy gently lowers me onto my back on the bed and slides off to grab the diaper bag. The first thing he does is pop a pacifier in my mouth. The second thing he does is push my nightie up and pull my panties off.

I twist my head around to find Brownie and hug him against my chest as Daddy puts a diaper on me. It’s freeing. I can’t believe how quickly I’ve accepted all these parts of me I keep realizing I haven’t known were part of my makeup.

Daddy removes his shirt and his jeans, leaving on nothing but boxers.

This is the first time I’ve seen this much of him.

He arranges us in the bed, pulls the covers over us, and I really like the feel of his legs against mine.

I’m cocooned. I’m warm and comfy and far less stressed than I was earlier.

Daddy does this for me. He fills a hole. I sure hope he doesn’t change his mind because I’ll be devastated if I lose him. Before we officially got together, I might have been able to live my life without him in it, but now I’m ruined.