Chapter Two
Naomi
I spot Dagger in the crowd, and my heart starts racing so fast I’m surprised I manage to make it to him before my knees buckle. He’s everything I remember and so much more. Even though I haven’t seen him in three years, time suddenly means nothing.
When he lifts me off my feet and pulls me to his chest, I can’t hold back the tears. They’ve been simmering on the surface since I first boarded the plane. I couldn’t rest during the flight because I was so worried about this encounter.
Dagger. His real name is Weston Knight. He got his nickname in the Army, and most people probably don’t even know his real name. He’s gone by Dagger ever since.
He smells so good, just like I remember. I don’t think he uses aftershave. It’s his soap and his own personal musk. I’ve known it my entire life. I’ve also been half in love with him from the moment I was old enough to notice boys.
When I was a small child, Dagger was larger than life. I loved when he came to visit because he was the fun uncle I never had. My father and Dagger took me on cool vacations, let me eat junk food the entire time, and taught me how real men treated women.
I was about sixteen the first time I saw Dagger as much more than my father’s friend. He was my first crush. It wasn’t reasonable, and I never told a soul.
When I was eighteen, he came for a month in the summer. That was the summer before I started college. I had dated a few boys in high school, but nothing serious. Mostly, what I learned was that boys are sloppy kissers who have no idea what they’re doing.
Dagger was a chiseled god to me. His muscles had muscles—and they still do. I wanted to catalog his tattoos and run my fingers through his thick hair. I kept my feelings close to my heart that year, too. My father would have flipped if he’d known the thoughts I had about his friend.
That was the year I learned to close my eyes and pretend Dagger was touching me. That was the year I learned to masturbate. Always to thoughts of Dagger—my forbidden Daddy.
I didn’t know he was a Daddy, or what a Daddy even was, until two years later when he came for my twentieth birthday. I followed him and my father to a club one night. It was the most eye-opening experience of my life. When I went back to school that fall, I was a different person.
I had friends, but my relationships with them were mostly superficial. I was gradually cultivating my inner Little, researching everything I could find about age play and visiting clubs so I could watch and learn.
No one my age seemed to have similar interests—as far as I knew. I never told a soul about my preference for ageplay. I didn’t even tell my father. It wasn’t until after I graduated and moved back to the farm that I finally told my father how I had followed him and Dagger. I also told him what I knew about myself because of the experience.
I have no idea if he ever told Dagger. Considering how long it’s been since I’ve seen my father’s friend, I suspect he might be aware of my kinky preferences and stopped coming around because he either thought I was too freaky or wasn’t interested in seeing me this way.
In my overactive imagination, Dagger stopped visiting because he’s secretly always been in love with me and didn’t want to disrespect my father by acting on his feelings.
Pipe dreams. I know.
I didn’t want him to come to Indiana when my father died because I was an emotional wreck, and the last thing I wanted to deal with was his rejection. So, I put on a front every time I spoke to him, telling him I was fine and too busy for him to visit. I’m stronger now, and I need him. It’s been lonely without my father. I’ve forced myself to come here with the intention of laying everything on the table.
This is probably a horrible idea. It could backfire and leave me emotionally distraught. If he doesn’t see me as anything more than his friend’s daughter, I’ll be making a complete fool of myself.
I’ve told myself over and over not to dump out the contents of my heart immediately. I should take some time to get reacquainted with him first. Test the waters. Maybe some subtle flirting, like wearing tiny shorts and tight tank tops in the early mornings.
I don’t wear a bra very often anyway, but I wonder how Dagger will react to seeing my loose tits and hard nipples. Can I possibly woo him into noticing me?
Dagger finally eases me down his body, putting me back on my feet. He keeps one hand on my bottom as though making sure my skirt doesn’t rise up. He stops me from mooning everyone in the airport. It’s sweet. It’s very Daddyish. But maybe it’s just how he is and not a reflection of how he sees me in particular.
He cups my face and smiles at me. “It’s so good to see you. Let’s get your suitcases and get you home.”
Home.
I like the way he says that, as if his home is already mine. I smile back and hug him again, never wanting to let go.
Dagger lifts my pink backpack without a word and props it up on one shoulder before taking my hand and leading me toward the baggage carousels.
I’m surprised and already pleased. He’s holding my hand… It’s more than I could have hoped for. So was the hug and lifting me off my feet. My heart races with possibilities.
Surely, I’m reading too much into this. It can’t be this easy. I’m not even certain the man knows I’m Little.
Luggage is already coming around on the conveyor, and Dagger points to a large suitcase as it comes into view. “Let me guess, that one?”
I giggle and nod. When was the last time I giggled? It feels good.
Dagger releases my hand to grab the hot-pink suitcase from the moving belt and doesn’t even ask as he spots my second suitcase and grabs it, too. “Is this everything, Naomi?”
I nod. I almost respond with yes, Sir , but manage to refrain. We’re not there yet. So far, everything between us is making me hopeful, but I could be reading too much into it.
He stares at me for a moment, hesitating before he finally takes my chin and tips my head back. His dark-blue eyes seem to reach into my soul. His brows are slightly furrowed. He seems to be searching for something.
I sway closer to him. The rest of the world disappears around us. The hundreds of people hurrying to find their bags and get on with their lives are nonexistent. All I know is the beat of my heart in my ears and the intensity in Dagger’s gaze.
Finally, he speaks. “Words, babygirl. Is this everything?”
I swallow hard as the Earth stops spinning. Dagger knows. He knows. I can’t begin to imagine what this means for me or us, but I’m relieved. I lick my lips. “Yes, Sir.”
He gives me a slow smile. “Good girl. Let’s go home.”
I’m shaking with hope and excitement as he releases me. He shrugs my backpack higher on his shoulder, lines up my two suitcases back-to-back so he can pull them together, and takes my hand in his again.
“Stay close, and don’t let go. I don’t want to lose you in this crowd.”
My panties are now soaked. My ears are ringing. I can’t believe the man I’ve lusted after and prayed could one day be my own Daddy is Daddying me. I hope I’m not imagining things.
I hold his hand tightly as he leads me through the crowd and out to the parking lot. I’m trembling with promise as we make our way through the rows of cars before Dagger stops at a black SUV. He releases me to open the back and puts all my bags inside.
I feel cherished and cared for in a way I’ve dreamed about for years. If I’m misjudging this, I’m going to be very disappointed.
Dagger closes the hatch, sets a hand on the small of my back, and guides me to the passenger door. After he opens it, he surprises me yet again by picking me up by the hips and depositing me in the front seat. He even pulls out the seatbelt and reaches across to buckle me in.
Before ducking his head back out of the car, he pauses and kisses my forehead, lingering for a few precious seconds that mean the world to me. I’m panting when he closes the door. I have about ten seconds to pull myself together before he climbs into the driver’s seat, starts the car, and turns to look at me. “Ready?”
“Yes, Sir.” I’m more than ready.