Chapter 5
Monday morning starts like every other morning.
Except it doesn't. Because everything is different now. For the last five days, I’ve spent a lot of time talking with Tyler.
He’s the first person I talk to when I wake up and the last person I say goodnight to.
It’s different having a Daddy but different good.
We text throughout the day and have spent three more nights having dinner and conversation.
It feels… right. He already knows me more than any man I’ve ever dated before.
It is no surprise when I wake up to a text from Tyler.
Tyler: Good morning, sweetheart. Did you sleep well?
Chloe: Good morning, Daddy. I did. You?
Tyler: I did. What's for breakfast?
I look at the cereal box sitting on my counter and know that's not going to cut it. I eat so many sweets throughout the day at work that he insists on protein with my breakfast in the morning.
Chloe: I was thinking cereal...
Tyler: Try again. Protein and fruit, remember?
Chloe: Yes, Daddy. I'll make eggs and have some berries.
Tyler: Good girl. Send me a photo when you're done.
This should feel controlling. But instead, it makes me feel cared for. It feels like I matter enough for someone to make sure I'm taking care of myself. And one thing I can say about Tyler is he pays attention. So much attention.
I scramble eggs, slice strawberries, and take a photo of my plate before sending it.
Tyler: Perfect. I'm proud of you for listening.
Chloe: I like making you proud.
Tyler: And I like taking care of you. Win-win.
The morning rush is steady but manageable. Jess keeps giving me knowing looks every time I check my phone. He won’t be coming in today; he has a training exercise or something. His military schedule is pretty unpredictable. It’s a good thing I’m a go with the flow type girl.
"He's texting you a lot," Jess observes around nine a.m.
"He's checking in. Making sure I ate breakfast and drank water."
"That's very Daddy of him."
Heat floods my face. "Can we not?"
"What? It's sweet. Ty does the same thing with Madison. Sends her reminders throughout the day to eat and rest." Jess grins. "Welcome to the Daddy Dom girlfriend club. Population: you and half our book club."
"I'm not his girlfriend. We're just... seeing each other."
"Sure, whatever helps you sleep at night."
At ten-thirty, Emily walks in, yoga mat over her shoulder and a knowing smile on her face.
"Spill," she demands, sliding onto a bar stool.
"Good morning to you too."
"Good morning. Now spill. How was yesterday? Did you go to his place? Did you let him take care of you?"
I make her usual green smoothie while filling her in on the details from yesterday.
I’d spent the afternoon with him after closing the shop.
He made me lunch, and we talked at length about our businesses and careers.
I confessed to him that I would make more money if I raised my prices but, I’m terrified the increase will scare away my customers.
Then, I colored pictures while he worked on his laptop.
Then he put me down for a nap and when I woke up, he ordered dinner and we watched movies together before a delicious make out session.
He’d given me a couple warning swats throughout the day and I even spent five minutes in the corner after being sassy before he realized I was tired and carried me to his bed for a nap.
Tyler sets firm boundaries and expectations.
"He's moving fast," Emily observes.
"Too fast?"
"I don't know. How does it feel to you?"
I think about it. "Right. Scary but right. Like everything is happening quickly but also exactly when it's supposed to."
"That's instalove, babe. When you know, you know." She sips her smoothie. "Madison said the same thing about Ty. They knew within days that they were it for each other."
"What if I'm wrong? What if this feeling fades?"
"Then you'll deal with it if it happens. But I don't think it will. I've seen the way he looks at you." Emily smiles softly. "That man is gone for you."
"How can you tell?"
"Because he shows up every single morning even though there are three other coffee shops between his apartment and the base.
Because he notices things about you that most people wouldn't. He's already setting rules to take care of you even though you've only been together for less than a week.
" She leans forward. "That's not casual interest, Chloe.
That's a man who's falling hard and fast."
My chest feels tight. "I'm falling too."
"I know. And that's okay. Let yourself fall. Just make sure you communicate. Keep talking to him about what you need."
"He wants to talk tonight about rules and boundaries and the dynamic."
"Good. That's important. Especially if you're going to explore discipline."
I nearly drop the cup I'm washing. "I can’t believe we are talking about this.”
"You said Tyler swatted you and put you in the corner." Emily's expression is gentle. "Are you scared?"
"A little. I've never done anything like that before."
"None of us had until we found our Daddies. But if it's something you want to explore, Tyler seems like exactly the right person to do it with. He’s patient, attentive, and crystal clear about consent. Those are really big green flags in this lifestyle."
"What if I don't like it?"
"Then you use your safeword and you try something else.
That's the whole point of exploring, you know. It’s to figure out what works for you.
" She finishes her smoothie. "Just promise me you'll be honest with him.
Don't say yes to something you're not ready for just because you think it's what he wants. "
"I won't. I promise."
"Good. Now, are you coming to yoga tomorrow morning?"
"Can't. I open early."
"What about Wednesday? I'm teaching at the gym on base at six p.m. You could come to that."
"Tyler works out at that gym."
Emily grins. "I know. That's why I'm suggesting it. Let him see you in yoga pants. Trust me on this."
Heat floods my face. "Emily!"
"What? You're allowed to be a little bit strategic. Plus, working out is good for you. Endorphins and all that."
"Fine. I'll come Wednesday."
"Perfect. I'll text you the details." She hops off the stool. "Now I have a private client in twenty minutes. Text me tonight after your talk with Tyler. I want all the details."
"You're nosy."
"I prefer 'invested in my best friend's happiness.'" She blows me a kiss. "Love you!"
"Love you too."
The rest of the day passes in a blur of customers and anticipation. Every time my phone buzzes, my heart jumps, hoping it's Tyler.
Most of the time, it is.
Tyler: How's your day going?
Chloe: Good. Busy. Missing you.
Tyler: Missing you too. What time are you closing?
Chloe: Six today.
Tyler: We're staying in tonight. Wear something comfy.
Chloe: Your place or mine?
Tyler: Yours. I want to see your space. Learn more about you. I’ll be there at six fifteen, I’ll bring dinner.
So far, we’ve only hung out at his place. The idea of Tyler in my apartment, seeing all my stuffed animals and book collection and general organized chaos, should probably embarrass me.
Instead, it makes me excited. Like I'm finally getting to show someone the real me.
At six-fifteen exactly, Tyler's truck pulls up outside.
I've changed into soft leggings and an oversized sweater, my hair in a messy bun. Comfortable and me.
He knocks on my door, and when I open it, he's holding takeout bags and wearing a smile that makes my knees weak.
"Hey, sweetheart."
"Hey." I step aside to let him in. “What did you grab?”
"Thai food. Figured we could eat while we talk." He sets the bags on my small kitchen counter, then turns to really look around.
I watch nervously as he takes in the space. The bookshelves overflowing with romance novels. The fairy lights strung everywhere. The collection of stuffed animals arranged carefully on my reading chair and couch.
"This is very you," he says finally.
"Is that good or bad?"
"It's perfect." He picks up a stuffed bunny from the couch. "What's this one's name?"
"Mr. Hops. I got him when I was seven."
"And this one?" He points to a teddy bear wearing a tiny scarf and wire rimmed glasses.
"Professor McCuddles. Don't ask. I was ten and going through a phase."
Tyler's smile is soft. "I love that you kept them all. That you're not embarrassed to have reminders of the things that made you happy."
"Most people think it's childish."
"Most people are wrong." He sets Mr. Hops back carefully. "Can I see your room?"
My heart skips. "Why?"
"Because I want to know you. All of you. The parts you show the world and the parts you keep hidden."
I lead him to my bedroom, suddenly nervous.
It's even more aggressively feminine than the living room.
Pink bedding with white polka dots. String lights around the headboard.
A canopy of sheer white fabric draped overhead.
More stuffed animals arranged on the bed, with Mr. Snuggles in the place of honor against my pillows.
Mochi is cuddled right in the middle like she often is. My bed is her favorite hang out place.
"This is my safe space," I say quietly. "Where I can be little without judgment."
Tyler is quiet for a long moment, just looking.
Then he says, "Thank you for trusting me enough to show me this."
"You don't think it's too much?"
"I think it's honest and very much you." He turns to face me. "This is who you are when no one's watching. It’s you when you don't have to be the capable business owner or the responsible adult. This is a representation of little Chloe, and she's just as important as big Chloe."