Chapter 36
36
The man was impossible.
“You are not taking me shopping.”
“I am.” Reuben took hold of her hand and led her into the closet attached to the beautiful room he’d had created for her. They’d just had a shower together and they both still had towels wrapped around them. “Let’s find you something to wear.”
“But I don’t need anything,” she told him as he picked out a dress for her.
It was a light blue and white gingham with a sweetheart neckline and a belt around the waist.
It was adorable. But not what someone who was going out with Reuben Jones should be wearing.
Perhaps she needed a power suit. Did people still wear those? Shoot. She needed to look into what was fashionable right now.
And how are you going to pay for a wardrobe overhaul?
Fudge.
Next, he grabbed a pair of white sneakers and a white cardigan.
It was an outfit to die for. But she couldn’t go out of this apartment wearing that.
“Let’s get you dressed.”
“I can’t wear that, though.”
“Why not? Does it not match well? Or will you be too cold? There should be a coat in here.”
He drew out a caramel-colored coat that looked super expensive. It was even lined. Holy moly.
“No, the whole outfit is gorgeous. Really. You did a good job choosing it.”
“Then why can’t you wear it?”
“I just . . . are you sure you want to be seen with me looking like this? It’s a bit too sweet, don’t you think?”
He looked from the outfit to her. “Where is this coming from?”
“I’m just . . . I’m a bit, well, country mouse.”
“Who called you a country mouse?” he demanded.
“Kirsten,” she whispered. “She said I was chuck steak, although I’m not sure how that was an insult because chuck steak can be really nice if you cook it right.”
“You are not a mouse or chuck steak. You don’t need to pay any attention to what she says about you.”
“But you kind of thought it, too, right? That I don’t really dress or look or act the part.”
“I like the way you dress and act and look. And I don’t want you to change. Not for me. Not for that bitch. And you don’t need to worry about her. I’m taking care of Kirsten.”
“What are you doing?”
“Nothing you need to worry about.”
A shiver of pleasure rushed through her.
Oh yeah. She was messed up.
He cupped her face in his hands and tilted her head back. “I was an asshole when you first started working for me. Do you know why?”
“Because you thought I wouldn’t be any good at my job.”
“You’re not very good at your job.” The blow was softened by the amusement in his face. Also, he wasn’t saying anything that she didn’t know. “And also, because I fucking wanted you from the moment you walked into my office. God. All I wanted was to lay you across my desk and devour you.”
Her breath caught. “You did?”
“Fuck, yes. I do not want you to change. Do you understand me?”
“It’s not just that.”
“Then, what is it? Hey, look at me.” His voice was almost tender, and it was enough to make her raise her gaze to his.
“You’re . . . you and I’m me and already the scales are out of whack. I don’t want to make them more so.”
“I’m not sure what you’re talking about. Is it because you’re so much hotter than me?”
Her mouth dropped open as she gaped at him. “W-what? I’m not!”
“Yeah, baby, you are.”
“It’s the complete opposite.”
“What is rule number two?”
“Honesty. But I am being honest. You’re gorgeous and sexy and suave and sophisticated, and I’m . . . not. I’m going to look completely out of place wearing that around your friends.”
“First, you don’t have to worry about my friends. I don’t have any other than Gwen and Alejandro. Gwen is a Little and Alejandro is a Daddy.”
“Gavin?”
“Just an acquaintance.”
She narrowed her gaze at him.
“And he’s a Dominant. Who looks at you too much, if you ask me.”
Uh-oh.
“And my sister is also a Little who doesn’t give a crap about fashion. For years, she only wore black.”
Juliet was a Little? She wondered if that’s why she’d felt so at ease talking to her.
“She wore black?” She stared at him in surprise.
“Yeah. So she’s not going to care about what you wear, baby. And who else would I give a crap about? I want you to wear what you like. What makes you feel beautiful. I think you look gorgeous in these clothes. Would I have bought these things if I didn’t want to see you in them?”
“I guess not.” That knot in her tummy eased.
“I know not. Now, let’s get you dressed.” He leaned over and pulled one of the drawers open. “And for being such a jackass when you first came to work for me, I’m going to buy you twice as much stuff as I’d planned to.”
“Ah, no, you’re not,” she said as he drew out a pair of lacy, white panties with blossoms on them.
Darn it. Those panties had to be the most adorable thing she’d ever seen.
How did he know her so well?
“I’m not?”
“No. Because I’m pretty sure you were already going to buy me an obscene amount of stuff, which isn’t happening.”
“Yes, it is. Need to fill up this closet and the one in the main bedroom.”
He really didn’t.
“I have my own clothes, you know.”
He shrugged. “Get rid of them, you don’t need them.”
Dear. Lord. Help. Her.
Before she could say anything, he drew out a bra that matched the pretty panties. This just couldn’t be happening to her.
It couldn’t.
She loved them.
Reuben gave her a knowing look. “Does my Little Blossom like her panties and bra?”
She nodded. She had lost her words. They were stuck in the back of her throat.
“And does she need Daddy’s help getting ready?”
More nodding.
“What a good girl you are for telling Daddy what you need.” He drew off her towel, then crouched at her feet, holding out the panties. “Put your hands on Daddy’s shoulders for balance. That’s it.”
She lifted one foot, then the other, so he could put her panties on. He drew them up her legs and kissed her mound lightly.
“Such a pretty baby.” He held out the bra and she slid her arms through the holes. Then he did it up at the back, even adjusting the cups. “Is that comfortable?”
Another nod.
She had no idea why she couldn’t find any words. But she was content just to answer him like this for the moment. And he appeared to enjoy taking care of her.
Her dress went on next and then the cardigan. Finally, he had her sit so he could put on her sneakers. Then he took hold of her hand and led her to the full-length mirror.
Oh wow.
She looked adorable.
Well, except for the mess of curls on her head. She reached up to tug at them, pulling so hard that tears entered her eyes.
“Hey, easy. Be careful with my baby.” He lightly smacked her hands. “No hurting yourself. If you need pain, I’ll be happy to give you what you need. However, you won’t be hurting yourself.”
Oh, that was so generous of him.
But she nodded.
“You don’t have to worry about how you look because Daddy is going to take care of you. From now on, when you’re in Little headspace, I will choose what you wear. What you eat. What you do.”
Her breathing quickened, and she slid her thumb into her mouth to comfort herself.
Because she wasn’t sure if she was excited by the idea of giving him that much control.
Or utterly terrified.
“At least to begin with. Because I think you need me to take over most of the time, don’t you, baby?”
No. Nope. Uh-uh.
“To take all that weight away so you don’t have to make such trivial decisions. Or any decisions.”
Actually . . . sometimes it would be nice not to make the decisions.
And it was so hard doing it all.
Especially when she didn’t trust herself anymore.
“Come with Daddy. I’ll get dressed and then do your hair.”