Chapter 3
Chapter Three
He was in front of her, his hands on her biceps in three seconds. “Olivia, I will baby you because it’s the way of the Alpha wolf. I will baby you because you’re precious to me, and I want to take care of your every need. It has nothing to do with your eyesight. I need you to understand that.”
She frowned. His words didn’t make sense to her.
“I’m extremely Dominant, Baby girl. All of my people are. My instinct is to protect you and make you happy. It’s in my blood.” He eased the cane out of her hand and set it on the counter. “Let me show you around. Please.”
She swallowed. She didn’t want to be frustrated with him. He meant well. He cared about her. It was hard to know if he would like her if they weren’t bonded by fate, but they were. She wore his mark on her inner wrist. A mark that was throbbing and making her entire body hum now that she was with him. When he touched her, it grew stronger.
Damon bent slightly, picked her up, and settled her on his hip. He kept one arm tucked under her to brace her and lifted her free hand with his. “Let me,” he whispered in her ear. “Please, Baby girl.”
She wrapped her arm around his neck and held on as she leaned into him, relenting with a sigh.
Daddy took a few steps forward before setting her hand on what she assumed was the back of a chair. “Eight chairs,” he reminded her. “Three on each side, one on each end. They have spindles and the backs are rounded.” He held her fingers and trailed them along the curved wood.
She paid close attention even though she knew she would do all of this later herself. He couldn’t possibly watch her every moment of every day. When he was asleep, in the shower, or out of the house she would explore.
He took several paces to reach a wall and set their combined fingers on the smooth surface before trailing them along until it ended. “We’re at the hallway. Three feet down on the left is my office. We’ll go in there later. Across from the office is a guest bathroom. Toilet, sink, shower/tub combination.”
She visualized all of this in her mind while he spoke.
“Next on the right is a guest room. We can go in there later, too. Across from the guest bedroom is the master bedroom.” He trailed her fingers along the wall until they entered.
His scent was strong everywhere in the house, but it was even stronger in his room. She shivered as she inhaled deeply.
Daddy lifted her fingers and kissed the tips before he continued, “I’ll start from the left. A high dresser with six drawers. It’s taller than you.” He lifted her hand and danced it up from the middle to the top. A few paces later, he stepped farther left. “Bathroom. I took the door off.”
She flinched. “You took the door off? Why?”
“So you’d never have to worry if it was open or closed. You won’t bonk into it. It’s gone.”
She jerked her hand out of his and gripped his face, leaning in close so she could sort of make out his eyes. Her glasses were in her pocket. Her voice rose. “Damon, that’s over the top. I’m not going to pee with you watching.”
He set his palm over hers on his cheek. “Little rebel, you’re not going to do anything without me watching.”
She gasped and straightened her spine.
He gripped the back of her hand. “Daddy will take care of all your needs, Baby girl, even the intimate ones. Especially the intimate ones.”
She stopped breathing. Modesty was deeply embedded in her. It had been since birth. No one had seen her naked since she was a toddler. She realized her mate would take liberty with her body, but she’d never imagined that happening totally naked. Wouldn’t he just lift her skirt or something?
He had said just minutes ago that he’d wanted her naked underneath him, and if she were honest, she’d felt the same desire while he’d been kissing her. But the thought of him seeing her bathe or using the toilet was too much to internalize.
Damon entered the bathroom. She heard the change in flooring when his dress shoes left the hardwood and hit the tile. The tile had a hollower sound. “You won’t be in here alone, Baby girl, but the vanity is on the right, the toilet is in a smaller room just past the vanity. I took the door off of that room, too. The bathtub is along the right on the back wall. The shower is a glass enclosure on the left along the back. To our left, across from the vanity is a linen closet.”
Olivia was having trouble focusing. She needed to pay attention, but she couldn’t. She was still reeling from his announcement that she would have no privacy.
Damon turned around and headed back into the bedroom. He took about five steps before stopping. “Our bed is large. There’s a nightstand next to it on this side.” He leaned her that direction and clasped her hand to trail along the edge before setting her fingers on the comforter next. “It’s high because I’m tall. You’ll sleep in the middle. I’ll sleep on this side. If we need, I’ll add a railing to the other side so you can’t fall off.”
She rolled her unseeing eyes at him. “Now you’re just being ridiculous.”
“Safety, Baby girl.”
He wasn’t kidding about the railing?
Apparently not. He rounded to the other side. “There’s a long closet along this wall. It’s filled with my clothes.”
She wondered where he’d put her clothes. She hadn’t brought anything with her because it was customary for Alpha Protectors to provide their mate’s wardrobe. Besides, the only clothes she’d worn so far in her life were the boring dresses that every girl wore as a school uniform. They were long with long sleeves, modest of course, and she’d worn layers of shifts under them, depending on the weather. They weren’t anything exciting to take into a bonded relationship.
He crossed the room and set her fingers on another piece of furniture. “A lower dresser. Three drawers on each side. I put bumpers on the corners just in case.” He set her fingers on the padded edge as he spoke.
Olivia pursed her lips. There was a war in her head. She couldn’t decide if she wanted to wiggle free of him, set her hands on her hips, and demand he stop this nonsense of babying her. On the other hand, his overprotective side was thoughtful and sweet. Annoying but kind.
“And now for the most important room in the house,” he declared as he turned toward the corner of the room past the dresser.
Another room? She couldn’t imagine what other room the house might have or how it could be so important. “I took the door off this room, too.” When he stepped inside, his shoes stopped clicking. “This is the only room with carpet.”
“What is it?” she asked, although she was afraid she perhaps didn’t want to know. There was a weird vibe coming off him that made her think he wasn’t sure how she was going to react.
He pulled her fingers to his lips and kissed her knuckles. “Your nursery, Baby girl.”
“Nursery?” Her voice squeaked.
“Yes. A room where you can relax, play, and take naps. You’ll spend a lot of time in here. It will be your haven. I hope you’ll love it. Anything you need that I haven’t thought of, we’ll get.”
She wished she could see this room. Her mind was racing with possibilities, but she had no idea what was in here. In a soft voice, she asked, “Can you put me down so I can see ?”
“Let me give you the basics first, Baby girl, then I will.” He turned to the right. “There’s a shelf just inside the door. I’ve filled it with dolls, stuffed animals, blocks, and other toys I thought you might enjoy.” He guided her fingertips to the top, helping her know the height. At the end of the shelf, her fingers touched another bumper. Good grief.
“In the corner is a large rocking chair where you can sit on my lap. I’ll feed you and read to you there.”
Feed me? That made no sense, but she didn’t have a chance to ask what he meant because he continued.
“On the right wall is your crib.”
She jerked toward him. “Crib?”
“Yes, Baby girl. I’ll want you to sleep with Daddy at night, but a crib is a perfect place for a Little girl to nap. It will make you feel safe. I even put a bumper around the inside so you won’t bonk into the slats.”
“I don’t need a crib, Daddy,” she whined. She hadn’t slept in a crib since she was an actual baby. Apparently he meant it literally when he called her Baby girl .
He must have sensed her anxiety rising because he turned back toward the corner he’d mentioned, shifted her so she was cradled in his arms, and lowered to sit in the rocking chair. He gently pushed so that they started to rock.
“Daddy…”
“Give Daddy your arm, Little rebel.” He took her right hand in his, pushed up the sleeve, and lined it up with his left wrist before she could think to stop him. She wished she’d been more alert and realized his intention because as soon as the connection was made, there was no stopping the rush of feelings that flooded her system.
He threaded his fingers with hers and gripped so she couldn’t break the contact.
In seconds, she was panting as all the feelings from the last time he’d done this rushed back to her mind. It was so intense. The fluttering in her tummy returned. Her breasts felt heavy. Her private parts tingled. Visions of him stripping her naked and spreading her on his bed consumed her. When he touched her like this, she wanted something she couldn’t even fully identify.
“Daddy…” she whimpered.
“Don’t fight it, Baby girl. Let your body align with mine. It will grow stronger by the minute. We’re Fated, Olivia. For all time. It’s always been this way.”
“But…” she licked her lips. She had no idea what she wanted to say.
Daddy rocked her while he held their connection, not letting her break the bond. Her restlessness increased until she felt warm and desperate.
When he finally released her and broke the connection, she was panting. He didn’t give her long to gather her brain cells though before he set his mark against her cheek.
“I need you to listen to Daddy. I know our customs are not what you’re used to, Baby girl. In addition, you’re not the first Little mate to experience shock over our ways. It’s expected. But you will learn to submit to Daddy and let me care for you in every way. Like I said, it has nothing to do with your vision.”
She swallowed. Her body was warming with every second that passed while he rubbed her cheek with his wrist.
“Mates of Alpha Protectors are treated like spun gold, Olivia. Your only job is to obey Daddy and enjoy life. Your submission is something I crave innately, and even though it seems foreign to you right now, I assure you that it will soon simply be a part of your life.”
She remembered he’d said he would feed her in this rocking chair. “Are you going to give me bottles?” she murmured.
“Yes, Baby girl. Feeding you will help us bond. You’ll enjoy it. I promise.”
She twisted around, wishing more than ever she could see what else was in this room. She had a suspicion now. Cribs, bottles, a rocking chair…
He must have sensed her unspoken question. “On the wall across from us is a changing table. Daddy will use it to examine you frequently to make sure you’re healthy, but that’s also where I will dress you. And when I want you to feel really Little, I will diaper you.”
Olivia’s lips trembled as she tried to process his intentions. It was too overwhelming to comment. Arguing would be futile.
“I carpeted this room to make it safer and more comfortable for you, Baby girl. There’s a huge beanbag in the corner opposite this one. I know how much you like to read. I got you a state-of-the-art headset so you can listen to audiobooks. I already loaded a few, but I wasn’t sure what you liked to read.”
The beanbag sounded like heaven. He was right. She’d always loved to read. Until recently, she’d been able to use a magnifying glass and lean in really close to her ereader, but it had grown nearly impossible in recent months as her vision had deteriorated. She missed her books more than anything. Audio was nice, but it wasn’t the same.
A tear slid down her cheek, and she tugged her hand free of his to swipe it away. “Thank you,” she whispered. She ignored the parts of this room that made her panic and focused on the vision of her sitting on the beanbag listening to books.
“I don’t like to see you cry, Little rebel,” he murmured as he kissed her temple. “You’re exhausted. I bet you didn’t sleep well last night, and then the ceremony and trip up the mountain have worn you out.”
She nodded. He was right. Suddenly the thought of sleeping in that crib didn’t sound so bad. The slats surrounding her would provide comfort like he said. She’d learned not to toss and turn in her bed years ago, but she wouldn’t even have to worry about rolling too close to the edge in the crib.
Daddy adjusted her in his arms so that she was sitting more upright before he cupped her face and brought his lips to hers once more.
The zing of awareness crawled up her body again. It was so powerful, and when he rubbed her neck with his mark, she moaned into his mouth.
Daddy slid a hand up her thigh to her waist before easing it higher until he cupped her breast through the layers of material.
Olivia arched into his touch, whimpering as her body reacted to every movement. When he swiped his thumb over her nipple, she cried out into his mouth.
After a few more teasing grazes of his thumb, he pinched the swollen bud just enough to make her buck against him. She broke the kiss. “Daddy…”
“Mmmm…” was his response. “You have no idea how beautiful you are, do you?”
Her breath hitched.
“You have the prettiest brown curls. I love how some of them form a halo around your face. Your eyes are the loveliest shade of green that reminds me of the leaves in spring.”
She started panting. Her body was restless again. It was impossible not to squirm.
“I want to see the rest of you, Baby girl. Will you let me?”
She found herself nodding because she, too, wanted him to see and touch her entire body. She wanted to touch his body, too. Would he let her?
Daddy rose, holding her securely, and carried her across the room. Before she could grasp his intention, he sat her on a padded surface so she was facing him.
His hands came to the hem of her dress and pushed it and the layers of shifts up her legs until he reached her hips. “Lift your bottom for Daddy, Baby girl.”
She obeyed him on instinct, shuddering as he continued to lift the layers the rest of the way up her body.
“Arms up, Olivia.”
It was as though she were unable to deny him. She wanted to please him, so she did as she was told. The moment the clothing was whisked away from her body, leaving her in only her panties, she covered her breasts and whimpered.
Her heart was pounding. Her nipples were hard beneath her palms. Her panties were damp between her legs. She squeezed her thighs together. She’d never felt so exposed in her life, and it was so unnerving knowing that he was looking at her while she could not see his expression.
His next words sounded strained, breathy. “You are so very perfect in every way, Olivia. Lower your hands for Daddy. Let me see you.” He wrapped his fingers around her wrists and gently tugged, encouraging her to obey.
Olivia shuddered as her breasts were exposed.
Daddy guided her to turn and lie back on the padding. He lifted her neck next and eased her hair out from behind her so it hung off the end of the table. The changing table. It was exactly like the kind she’d seen in actual nurseries in most homes, except this one was large enough for an adult.
“Lift your arms above your head for me, Baby girl,” he encouraged.
Her brain cells were not working, but he didn’t seem to mind her inability to respond. He simply gathered her wrists and lifted them up above her head. After shifting both to one of his hands, she felt something soft wrapping around her wrists.
Olivia gasped as he secured her wrists to the end of the changing table. “Daddy…”
“Shh…” He kissed her lips and then continued kissing down her neck and lower until he reverently set his lips on her nipple.
She cried out at the sensation. It sent a jolt of electricity through her entire body, making her crave things she’d never even thought of before. She wanted more. She wanted him to lick her nipple, suck it, bite it…
Instead her Daddy lifted his face, and a moment later, she felt a similar soft strap coming across her belly, trapping her against the table.
She’d never felt so vulnerable and exposed. Her body was covered with goosebumps. She couldn’t squeeze her knees any tighter if she tried. What if he found out her panties were so wet? Would he think she peed herself and use it as an excuse to diaper her?
The wetness in her panties wasn’t exactly new. She’d had fantasies about Damon ever since she’d made the rash decision to confront him a year ago. She hadn’t gotten very close to him because he’d warned her off, but even from a distance, she’d learned his scent and the tone of his voice. Those two things had fueled her fantasies for a year.
Nervousness consumed her. Her body was reacting to everything in a way that doubled the flutters in her tummy. The need she felt for something elusive was growing.
“Daddy…”