Chapter 32
Jesse
After that afternoon at the lake, they spent their time more or less holed up in Edie’s house, enjoying and exploring each other’s bodies, learning about each other’s likes and dislikes. Talking about the past while very pointedly avoiding any mention of the future. There were more tears, more sharp words, but little by little they healed those old wounds.
But even as they healed what was broken, nobody talked about what was going to happen at the end of the month. The couple of times Jesse had asked, Grant had given her The Look and forced her to change the subject.
Frustrated didn’t even begin to cover how she was feeling. Every day that passed without them actually talking about their future was another day Jesse’s mood grew darker and darker.
Which was how she ended up standing in the corner of the kitchen nearly two weeks after their Big Talk at the lake, sniffling back tears and resisting the urge to rub her burning bottom after her Daddy finally had enough of her attitude.
“Come here, Jesse Lynne.”
Dread filled her stomach as she turned away from the corner and shuffled over to where Daddy was still sitting in his chair by the table. Edie was out taking care of the animals, which was probably a good thing for Jesse’s bottom because she also seemed like she was running out of patience with Jesse’s pouting and sulking.
Gripping her chin between his fingers, Daddy forced her head up, and to her surprise his lips curved up in a sad smile. “There’s my pretty girl. Are you ready to tell Daddy what’s wrong?”
“I don’t know what’s wrong.” Her stomach twisted into a knot with the lie, but she wasn’t about to risk another spanking by demanding they have a conversation about their future. “I just feel really out of sorts, and I don’t know why.”
“Poor little outlaw. Come here, baby.”
Sniffling back a fresh wave of tears, she climbed up into his lap and let herself be rocked in his arms. Even though she was still feeling restless and out of sorts, the action comforted her, and she eventually relaxed and snuggled into his embrace.
“That’s my good girl.” He paused, and she got the distinct impression he was choosing his next words very carefully. “Jesse, I want to ask you something, and I want you to be completely honest with me, okay?”
“‘Kay, Daddy.”
He paused again, and her tummy did a weird little flip. “Are you… do you feel like I’m spending too much time with Edie?”
“Huh?” Pulling away a bit, she stared up at him, confused. “What do you mean?”
“You’ve been acting out quite a bit today. I’m worried maybe you aren’t getting enough attention, or you’re feeling jealous.”
“Oh.” She frowned and pretended to think about it. “No, I don’t think so.”
“That’s good.” Relief seemed to flood into his expression as he smiled. “I don’t want you to feel pushed out of our relationship. You’ll always be my Little girl, you know that, right?”
“I know. But I haven’t really had much time to be your Little anything lately.”
“Ah. Is that what’s been bothering you? We haven’t made time for Little Jesse?”
It wasn’t the entire truth, but it wasn’t exactly a lie, either. Other than the couple hours they’d spent dyeing eggs for Easter, she hadn’t really had any Little time since the Big Talk, and that was always guaranteed to make her a bit cranky. “Yeah. I think that’s probably it.”
“Then how about tonight I’ll make us some dino nuggies and macaroni and cheese, and we can see if Edie has any board games or puzzles. How does that sound?”
“It sounds perfect, Daddy. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome, baby. I’m sorry I didn’t think of it sooner.” He pressed a kiss to her hair before nudging her off his lap. “Why don’t you run upstairs and change into something Little Jesse might like better and I’ll run to the store for supplies.”
“Okay, Daddy!”
Excited by the idea of some Little time, even if it wasn’t exactly what she really wanted, she hopped off his lap and raced up the stairs. She took her time picking out an outfit, and in the end chose a rainbow tutu with matching knee-high socks and a shirt that proudly proclaimed her brat status in red glitter.
By the time she made her way back down the stairs, Edie was in the kitchen, chugging a glass of water while Daddy watched, his arms folded across his broad chest in a way that made Jesse’s mouth water.
“There,” Edie said after she’d swallowed the last mouthful of water in the glass. “Happy now?”
“Yes. Now, do that at least four more times today and you can go to bed without a red bottom.”
It was an argument that had been brewing for days. Jesse couldn’t tell if Edie really did just forget to eat and drink, or if she was deliberately not doing certain things just to see how Daddy handled it.
Either way, it was rather entertaining for Jesse, who enjoyed having Daddy’s attention divided. Especially when Edie pushed him far enough that she ended up over his knee for once, instead of Jesse.
“You’re ridiculous. I don’t need to drink that much water every single day.”
But before Daddy could respond, the kitchen sink turned on and Edie slammed the glass down on the counter with an annoyed huff. “Nobody asked you!”
Edie’s conversations with ‘Ken’ were, in Jesse’s opinion, one of the best parts of their stay. Living in a haunted house should have been scary, but Jesse had never felt scared once. Probably because things only happened when Edie was in trouble, so she didn’t have to worry about any ghosties coming after her.
Daddy, on the other hand, never really seemed to know how to handle Ken’s appearances. Like now, for instance, when Ken was clearly on his side, but he obviously didn’t want to acknowledge what had just happened.
When it came to Ken, Daddy seemed to be taking the ‘If I pretend it’s not happening then it’s not actually happening’ approach.
Silly Daddy.
Her giggle drew the attention of her bossy-types, who both gave her The Look, and she immediately slapped her hands over her mouth in an attempt to stifle her laughter.
It didn’t work.
“What’s so funny, little girl?” Edie asked as she finally flipped off the tap in the kitchen sink.
Hands still clamped over her mouth, Jesse shook her head. She might be new to having a Daddy and an Edie at the same time, but she wasn’t stupid.
“Hmm.” Crossing his arms, Daddy leaned back against the counter. “Guess someone’s bottom isn’t sore enough. We should probably take care of that before her friends come over.”
“Friends?” Jesse squealed, yanking her hands away from her mouth. “What friends?”
“I invited the other Littles over for a playdate.” There was a wicked gleam in Edie’s eye that had Jesse taking a step backward and throwing her hands behind her to protect her bottom. “And since they have a penchant for mischief, it would probably be a good idea for all of us if you had a nice hot bottom to remind you to behave yourself.”
She took off with a squeal that was both happiness and terror as she led them on a chase around the house. When they finally caught up with her, they delivered the promised sore bottom, along with so many orgasms she lost count.
By the time the other Littles showed up, she was too sore and relaxed to worry about whether or not they all still hated her.
Edie
“We brought snacks!” Bursting through the front door after a cursory knock, Carly held up two bags of groceries that appeared to be filled to bursting. Her Daddy was close behind with two more bags of his own and a somewhat harried expression.
Edie shook her head, a smile tugging at her lips. “When are you going to stop letting her buy out the entire store for these things?”
The glare Matt sent her way sent Edie into a fit of laughter. “Next time you can take her shopping and you can be the one to deal with the meltdown because she has to choose between cheese balls and cheese curls.”
“They taste different!” Carly insisted, her bottom lip puffing out in a trembling pout. “One is light and airy and one is super crunchy. They’re a completely different snack experience!”
Raising an eyebrow, Matt gestured to his wife. “See? Pregnancy hormones cannot be reasoned with.”
It was Edie’s turn to cock an eyebrow in return. “Don’t try that with me, Matty Crawford. You spoiled her rotten well before you knocked her up.”
“She has a point,” Carly said with a giggle as she ripped open a package of the aforementioned cheese puffs. “Oh my god. I swear I could live on these things.”
“You could try, but I wouldn’t recommend it.” There was a warning tone in Matt’s voice that had Carly’s cheeks turning pink.
“I know, I know. I’ll eat ‘real food’ tonight, I promise.”
“Good girl.”
Tucking that information away for later when the girls inevitably tried to argue that the array of snack food provided was ‘real food’, Edie pulled the various snacks from the bags and laid them out on the dining room table. Too much snack food and too much wine had become a bit of a tradition during their girls’ nights, but since this was more of a playdate, she’d hidden the wine.
Wrangling a group of Littles was well within her skillset. Wrangling a group of drunk Littles was more than she was willing to attempt.
“Edie! Edie! Daddy said to ask you if—” Jesse skidded to a halt in the dining room, her excited expression fading to a more forced smile. “Oh. Um. Hi Matt, hi Carly.”
“Jesse!” Carly squealed happily, launching herself at her new friend. “Oh my gosh, you look so cute! I love that skirt. Where did you get it? Daddy and I brought lots of snacks, so I hope you like junk food.”
Thank god for Carly, was all Edie could think as she watched Jesse visibly relax. “I love junk food. I don’t get to eat a lot of it when I’m filming or getting ready for a new movie, but when I’m Little I try not to worry so much about it.”
“Oh, good, I didn’t even think about that. We would’ve brought a veggie tray or something.”
As if a few sticks of carrots and celery would somehow counteract the bajillion empty calories spread out on the table. But that was Little logic at its finest, and it amused Edie to no end.
Edie cleared her throat, swallowing a laugh when both Little girls jumped to attention and turned to her immediately. “Jesse, did you need to ask me something, baby?”
“What?” Brows drawing together in confusion, Jesse frowned, then brightened again almost immediately. “Oh! Yes! I asked Daddy if we could have a dance party tonight and he said to ask you ‘cuz the playdate was your idea so you’re in charge.”
“Oh, really?” Edie grinned as Grant joined them in the dining room. “I’m in charge tonight, huh?”
“Of the playdate,” Grant clarified with a pointed look. “You’re in charge of the activities for the playdate.”
“No, no, I clearly heard Jesse telling me that you said I’m in charge.”
The sparkle in his eye detracted from the stern look he was attempting to give her. “Watch yourself, little pixie.”
She was hyper aware of both Matt and Carly watching the exchange with something akin to fascination. And yet, she couldn’t resist the challenge. “Or what?”
“Or I’m sure our guests can find something to occupy their time while Daddy takes you upstairs and reminds you who is actually in charge.”
The heat flooding her body was the heady mix of both arousal and embarrassment she always felt whenever Grant referred to himself as Daddy, heightened by the fact they now had an audience.
“Not necessary, Sir,” she assured him, praying her face didn’t look half as red as it felt at that moment.
“Good choice. Now, do you need help with anything?”
“Ice,” she said, relieved by how normal her voice sounded when she was feeling so off-kilter. “There’s a bucket in the bottom cabinet to the right of the sink, I usually fill it up and put it on the counter with the sodas.”
“I can show you where it is.” Matty led the way into the kitchen, and Edie had never been more grateful for his presence than she was in that moment.
“Daddy?” Carly asked in a loud whisper when the men disappeared into the kitchen. “Are you one of us now?”
“No. Not exactly. It’s just what he asked me to call him.”
“And are you okay with it?” Worry shone in the pale blue of her friend’s eyes. “Because if you’re not, you shouldn’t do it, and you should tell him. He shouldn’t be making you do stuff you don’t wanna do.”
“Relax, little guard dog.” But despite the sarcastic reply, warmth spread through Edie’s chest. She really did have the best friends a woman, Big or Little, could ask for. “I actually kind of like calling him Daddy. It feels right, even though I’m not a Little by any stretch of the imagination.”
“Okay. If you’re sure.”
“I’m absolutely sure, Carly-girl.” Stepping forward, she slipped an arm around Carly’s waist and pressed a kiss to her cheek. “But thank you for loving me enough to ask.”
From the corner of her eye, she spotted Jesse watching them silently, an odd expression on her face. Edie gave Carly another squeeze, then gently pushed her toward the kitchen. “Why don’t you go see if our Daddies need any help.”
Carly’s gaze flicked to Jesse and she nodded. “Sure.”
As she hurried off, Edie shifted her attention to her babygirl, lifting a finger and crooking it in a clear command. As if she’d tugged on an invisible string, Jesse immediately crossed the room to stand in front of her.
There was power in that. In having someone you could command so easily. Power to teach and mold and sculpt—and power to destroy if you weren’t careful.
“You okay, babygirl?” Edie asked, cupping Jesse’s face in her hands.
“Why wouldn’t I be okay?”
Ah, the old ‘Answering a question with a question’ avoidance technique. “That’s not an answer, Jesse. But since you want to ask questions, why don’t you ask what you actually want to ask?”
Tears shimmered on her lashes, and Edie’s chest ached at the sight. “Do you like Carly more than me?”
“Oh, babygirl.” Rising up on her toes, Edie brushed a kiss over Jesse’s trembling lips. “I love Carly. She’s one of my best friends in the entire world, and there is nothing I wouldn’t do for her. But what I feel for her, or any of my girls, doesn’t hold a fucking candle to what I feel for you. Understood?”
Relief shone in Jesse’s eyes, lighting up the gold. “Yes, Ma’am. I understand.”
“Good girl.”