“Anal plugs. Trainee anal plugs. Did you decide anal play was a hard limit?”
“I guess I’d like to try it but if I don’t like it. . .”
“Then we wouldn’t do it again.”
“But you like it?”
“Yeah. But I won’t enjoy it if you don’t. Angel, look at me.” He leaned forward and waited for her gaze to meet his. “Listen care
fully. Don’t ever want you to agree to something or do anything that you’re not comfortable with because you think I might want it.”
“But I won’t know until I try, right?”
“Some things you’ll try and won’t like. Some things you will enjoy. You always have a safe word. We start something and it hurts, or you don’t like it, or you get scared, say your safeword and everything will stop.”
She nodded and squealed at the next thing she brought out. “Dolly!” He’d bought her a doll along with a collection of dolls clothes.
“You like?”
“Yes, thank you, Daddy!”
She froze as she realized what she said. But Bain just gave her a smile. In fact, it was the most unguarded she’d ever seen him. Like a screen had come down and she could see the man underneath.
Maybe he needed this as much as she did. She hugged the doll tight.
“I like hearing you call me Daddy,” he told her. “But don’t force it, all right? You need more time, that’s fine. This is all at your pace.”
Back was her honey-voiced man. This sweet side of him was going to kill her.
Had she really only known him for a few weeks? Was she ready to be this vulnerable with him? To completely let down her shields?
Then again, hadn’t she already shown him her vulnerable side? When she was sleepwalking, she could easily be harmed. Anything could happen to her. He’d taken care of her. Like he’d done while she had her period. Like he was doing now.
She drew out the last item in the bag, staring at it in puzzlement.
“It’s a sleep sack,” he explained. “Ever heard of them?”
She shook her head.
He opened it up to show her. It was a pale green color. And it looked snuggly and soft.
“You sleep inside it. Feels a bit like being swaddled. It applies gentle pressure, meant to help with sleep issues and anxiety.”
“You shouldn’t have bought me so much.”
“Why not? I can afford it.” He frowned.
Shit. Why hadn’t she thought before speaking? “No, I didn’t mean it like that. I just. . .I’m not used to anyone buying me things. Not without a reason. And that you bought me something to help with my anxiety and sleeping, it’s so thoughtful. I wasn’t saying that I thought you couldn’t afford it. Sorry.”
He ran his hand over his face. “No, I’m sorry. That was me being defensive.”
“I get it,” she said quietly.
He gently grasped hold of her chin. “Such a sweetheart. I’ll try to do better.”
“I don’t. . .I don’t care how much money you have. All I ever wanted growing up was my parents time and love. Not the things they could buy me.”
“Ari. I know you’re more than your money. You’re smart, kind, creative and generous. I see you. And seems to me you need to be spoiled. Gonna give you all the time and attention you need. Maybe more than you even want.” He grinned. “You might get sick of me.”