Savage (Spartan Watchmen MC #4)

Chapter 6

CHAPTER 6

SAVAGE

S avage turned his attention back to Savannah, his expression unreadable as he studied her. She was a conundrum. He’d met her at a little playdate, but if he didn’t know any better, he’d wonder if she knew anything at all about the lifestyle. She was sweet and innocent, and if he didn’t approach her carefully, he’d ruin her.

“Let's let them talk,” Arrow said to Emilee.

“It’s okay, you don’t have to go–” Savannah protested.

Arrow looked at Savage, they exchanged looks, Savage letting him know with a raised eyebrow and a slight head tilt that he’d appreciate the alone time. He needed to speak with Savannah about the rules she would follow while staying there.

In a firm but calm voice, Arrow said to Emilee, “Come with me, Em.”

Emilee accepted Arrow’s outstretched hand and stood, giving Savannah an encouraging nod and a slight smile as Arrow led her away.

“See you at dinner!”

Savage settled down onto the couch, leaning back against the cushions with an air of quiet authority, then patted the spot beside him. “Come here, sweetheart.”

She hesitated for only a moment before obeying, standing from the chair and coming over to perch lightly on the edge of the couch. He shook his head. “Relax, baby. You're safe here. But we need to talk.”

Savannah swallowed hard but nodded.

“How much experience do you have as a little? Before you answer, I need the honest truth, Savannah.”

She seemed to think for a minute, which bothered Savage. The truth should be quick and forthcoming, not need time to be thought about. “Savannah?”

“I don’t know what you consider experience,” she said, softly. “Like in person, reading books, online forums? What do you define as experience? Many people will never explore the lifestyle in person, but they have online partners and virtual relationships.”

“Is that what your experience consists of? Reading books and online relationships?”

She looked down and played with the hem of her shirt, the blush climbing up her face, clearly telling him all he needed to know. Fuck. She was even more innocent than he thought.

“Was the playdate your first?”

“Yes,” she told him. “But I’ve done a lot of research and reading and…”

So, she desired the power exchange relationship and freedom a DDlg relationship offered but she’d never experienced it in real life. “Sweetheart, reality and virtual aren’t always the same thing. I don’t want you to be disappointed if your expectations are unrealistic.”

“I have no expectations,” she blurted. “I really don’t.”

“Everyone has some expectations. For instance, I expect my little girl to be honest with me at all times and to allow me to lead her. I expect her to consent to me guiding, nurturing, and disciplining her. What qualities do you expect your Daddy to have?”

“I don’t know,” she said, shifting in her seat. He pulled her down from where she perched on the arm of the couch and snuggled her into his lap. She fit perfectly in his arms. Feeling how tense she was, he rubbed her shoulders until she relaxed.

“I’m sure you have some characteristics you want out of a Daddy.”

He knew she’d thought about it. All littles thought about what they wanted out of their Daddies. He knew that several girls often played “Build Your Perfect Daddy,” a game where they had a budget and selected their favorite qualities from a list.

“I guess, if I had to put it into words, I would want someone who would put me and my needs first because I’ve never had that. Of course, I would put him first, too. Someone who would communicate clearly and not leave me guessing what he meant. My perfect Daddy would be patient with me, but also consistent. A Daddy who would protect me from the bad things in this world, and maybe even someone who would spoil me. I’d expect him to be my best friend.”

Holy shit.

She’d just defined him, exactly.

There was absolutely no doubt in his mind. None. Zero. Zip. This little girl was his.

“Do you know how the power exchange relationship between a Daddy and his little girl works?”

“I get the general concept. In order for it to be healthy, she must consent to it. He can’t force her into being his little. Then, depending on how much control she’s willing to give over, he makes and enforces rules for them?”

“Very good, sweetheart. There are rules and expectations in a DDlg relationship, just like there are in all things in life. There are rules and expectations at work, school and in society. For instance, you can’t just walk into a grocery store, grab an apple and walk out without facing consequences for breaking the law.”

“Do you expect your little to have a lot of rules?”

“Some. Her safety and protecting our relationship are my chief priorities. I expect her to make good decisions and to respect our relationship.”

“Respect your relationship? Like what, not wearing super revealing clothing out or something?” She asked.

“Well, without my permission, anyway. I don’t share, Savannah. When you are mine, you belong to me and only to me. I follow some rules, too. For instance, I have a rule that says no yelling, calling names or being degrading to each other. I will never yell at you or call you names, no matter how upset I am. I will always be honest with her. I will protect our relationship and our peace as a couple.”

“You only follow some of the rules. Shouldn’t you follow all of them?”

“No sweetheart. There are some rules that are for my little one only.”

“Like what?” If her questions got any quieter, he’d have a hard time hearing them. He traced the back of her neck with one finger and smiled when goosebumps followed in its wake.

“Like bedtime, no cursing, no running inside, not using knives in the kitchen, no touching your pussy without my permission.” He heard her small gasp and smiled. “Some rules are for Daddies and some rules are for littles.”

“Do you get punished when you don’t follow the rules?”

“I hold myself responsible and if one of my brothers think I’m doing something wrong, they will tell me. All of us here want what is best for each other. We don’t hesitate to hold each other accountable and to a high standard.”

“I see,” she said. Why did she sound… sad? “And what kind of punishments do you give your little for breaking the rules?”

He shifted her onto his right knee and reached up, grasping her chin. “Why are you sad?”

“I’m not sad.” She denied it but he wasn’t convinced.

“No lying,” he told her.

“If I’m sad it’s because I know I’ll never have such a thing.”

“Such a thing? You mean a Daddy?”

“Not like what you’ve described.”

“What makes you say that sweetheart?”

“I know love is conditional. Once he… I mean, once I… mess up badly enough, he wouldn’t want me anymore.”

Who had hurt her? Was it her ex? What kind of monster made her feel those things? He could tell she believed her words. “My love isn’t conditional; littles are supposed to mess up. There are very few things that would cause me to reconsider a relationship with my girl. Cheating on me with another man or intentionally hurting someone I love. I already know you aren’t the type of woman to cheat on your man or to hurt anyone else.”

“How? How do you know that?”

“My gut. It’s never been wrong. Now, to answer your other question, I am a punishment fits the crime type of Daddy. If you say, get dehydrated because you aren’t drinking your water, then you won’t be allowed to drink anything but water for a set amount of time. If you curse, you will find yourself with a mouth full of soapy bubbles until it’s nice and clean. Of course, there’s spankings, corner time, early bedtime, being grounded–”

“That’s a lot!” she interrupted, with a slight pout.

“Not even the tip of the iceberg when it comes to my discipline arsenal.” He let go of her chin and relaxed his hand on her upper thigh. “If you stay here, there are rules in this clubhouse that you will be expected to follow,” Savage said, his tone leaving no room for argument. “They exist for a reason—to keep everyone safe, to ensure respect, and to make sure things run smoothly. You’re new, so I’m going to lay them out for you. Understand?”

“Yes,” she said softly.

“Good. First rule—safety is the priority. That means while you are staying here you are under our protection. None of our girls go anywhere alone, except for work, unless given permission. If you need to go somewhere, you tell someone. We look out for each other here. No exceptions.”

She nodded slowly, and he continued.

“Second—respect. That means you respect the other men here, the other women, and yourself. That includes how you speak. No cursing, no talking down about yourself, no gossiping or rumors and no arguing with the members. If someone corrects you, you listen. Understand me?”

She nodded again and he squeezed her knee. “Good girl. Third—responsibility. You take responsibility for your actions. If you break a rule, there will be consequences. No one is going to force you into anything, but if you choose to stay here, you will follow the expectations set for you.”

Savannah bit her lip. “And… what happens if I break a club rule?”

Savage’s lips twitched. “Depends on the rule, but discipline is a part of this dynamic, not only DDlg but part of being in a motorcycle club. We don’t let things slide, not when it comes to safety or respect. And discipline is handled by all the men here—not just by your Daddy, but by any of the men in charge. Each couple has their own negotiations. Some allow all the club members to spank their little, others only allow timeout and nonphysical punishment. We respect your boundaries and limits. Since you are going to be under my protection, if you are uncomfortable with anyone else physically disciplining you, that is fine. They can put you in the corner or send you to your room, and I can deal with any infractions that need more attention. Unless you are comfortable with all the men being able to pull you over their knee and spank your ass?”

She swallowed hard and violently shook her head no.

“Okay then. I’ll let them know no one is to physically correct you. Irish already explained that all the men here identify as Daddy Doms. Not all of them have littles, some prefer submissives, but the principle is the same. We take care of our own. We enforce the rules. And we look out for each other's women. No one here will ever call you names, scream at you or hurt you. You are safe here.”

Savannah fidgeted with the hem of her sweater. “So just by staying here I’m giving you permission to… correct me if I did something wrong? Even though you’re not my… Daddy?”

His dark eyes held hers. “If you stay here, you are under my protection. That means I’ll do whatever is necessary to make sure you’re safe, including correcting you when you step out of line. I will not kidnap you, Savannah. I want you here, where I know you will be safe. I have no doubt you will fit in with the other littles and you can find a home among us, but that is non-negotiable. To stay here, you must submit to the rules. Do you understand what I'm saying, little one?” Savage asked, his voice gentler now.

She hesitated, then finally nodded. “Yes, I understand.”

“Good girl,” he murmured, the praise sending warmth through her chest. “I don’t expect you to get everything right at once. But I do expect you to try.”

She let out a breath. “I’ll try.”

“That’s all I ask,” he said. Then, with a small but unmistakable smile, he added, “Now, shall we have some dinner?”