Doll Parts (The Game 4)

“You were messing with me,” he cried. Tears were really streaming down his face, and wiping his cheeks with my thumbs did absolutely nothing. “I’m not bleeding.”

“No, you’re not.” I nodded slightly to Beau and threaded my fingers into Noa’s hair. A second later, he gasped again and groaned loudly. “I thought we agreed you could trust Daddy.”

“But ohhhhh,” he wept. He’d definitely gotten one type of release. He couldn’t stop crying to save his life, but his sharp reactions to the electricity were slowly morphing into something other than pain. Over and over, he chanted that I’d only been messing with his head.

A minute or so later, I ceased the electrical assault and gave his damp forehead a kiss before I returned to my previous spot. It was time to remove the needles. And while I did that, I felt fucking conflicted. Part of me was detached from the whole scene, and that wasn’t new. I was so focused on performing well for my sub that my reactions usually didn’t come till later. But another part of me was worried. Noa wasn’t just any sub. Now I had to face reality and realize that, at some point, we were going to have a play session together that backfired miserably. It was practically unavoidable, especially considering the level of play Noa preferred. And then what?

Safewording was nothing. That happened, even more so when you were exploring limits. But the impression a Top left—that was something that lingered.

It would kill me to…for lack of a better word, break something in him. In his heart. In his view of me.

Back to that goddamn issue… So much for only being insecure about my disability. I’d told Lucian I was just worried about that one single thing. I’d stated confidently that I knew everything changed over the years. We evolved and all that bullshit.

I blew out a breath and removed the last needle.

Now the blood trickled. Not a lot, but enough for gauze to be necessary.

Noa didn’t seem to mind. He was alternating between crying and giggling.

Crying and giggling. What the fuck was I doing? I’d clearly succeeded with this scene. Why was I bracing myself for failure already?

Life was full of failures and victories and everything in between. No matter what, I was going to face them with him by my side. Or on my lap.

Ivy presented me with an aftercare kit, and I smiled in thanks and picked a cooling ointment.

“Noa, you only need one little Band-Aid.” She walked over to his end of the table. “Wanna pick one? It’s just a small puncture wound that hasn’t closed yet, and since I don’t know where you’re off to next, we might as well put one on.”

She was a doll.

Noa sniffled and grinned at the possibilities. There were Band-Aids with kittens, with puppies, with camo patterns, with spaceships, and so many more.

“This one!” He handed it to me as I rubbed the ointment on his back. “It’s black like my tail!”

“Then it’s perfect for you, baby.” I removed the protective slips from the Band-Aid and attached it to the red dot on his shoulder blade. “There—good as new.”

He snicker-sniffled and sat up on the table. “I feel all tingly and spaced out.”

God—he couldn’t know how big of a relief that was for me. My chest expanded with a deep breath, and I brushed away the last tears on his cheeks. My love for this creature grew every fucking time I laid eyes on him. Those freckles, that crooked grin, those adorable green eyes…and that dark, untamed hair.

Even his nose was so goddamn cute. And a bit runny.

I grabbed a couple tissues from the box on the tray table and bunched them together before I held them to his nose.

“Blow.”

He laughed and blew.

“Attaboy.” As I tossed the tissues into the nearby bin, Ivy came over again.

“A puzzle piece for Daddy KC, and a treat for Noa.”

“Thanks, honey.” I eyed the piece briefly, seeing nothing worth noting. It had a dark design; that was all.

Noa was more interested in the big candy bowl Ivy was holding out. He wiped his nose and picked a…of course, some sort of Rip Roll knock-off.

“I love these so much.” He clutched the candy tightly and jumped off the table, then straight up onto my lap. “I wanna be close to you, Daddy. Is that okay?”

He never had to ask. “Always, my love.” I kissed the side of his head. “You wanna say thank you to Ivy and Beau?”

“Yes! Thank you so much. This was so, so fun!”

Well, hey. He was having fun…in the Funhouse? How about that.

“I am holding a lollipop!” Noa yelled. “You can’t hit me!”

I laughed and scrubbed my hands over my face. He was too fucking precious, my boy.

“You won’t be holding it much longer,” Greer taunted.