Chapter 12
Chapter Twelve
Kira
I was a bundle of nerves as we pulled up to the mansion that was apparently owned by this Athena lady.
She was known as Auntie, I supposed, so she must have a sweet and sort of matronly personality.
Whoever she was, she sure took security seriously.
A stucco fence surrounded her property. Rex stopped his car at a call box and entered a code, triggering the black iron gate to slide open and allow the old Buick entry.
While rolling up the steep driveway, the convertible gave me a perfect view of the historic mansion that sat on top of the hill overlooking a pristine lawn.
The house itself was stucco, with a red tile roof, and was built in that Spanish Colonial architecture style that screamed classic California.
I didn’t see any greenhouses or anything, but I guess the nursery proper was in the back.
What I did see, however, had my jaw dropping.
A pretty woman who was probably about thirty-five or maybe a few years older was by a tree in the yard but stopped what she was doing as she spotted us and hurried toward the car, shouting, “Uncle Rex! Uncle Rex!”
There was no way he was her actual uncle. He was probably five years older than her, at most.
The fact that she’d called him that was the least crazy thing about her, though.
What really struck me was what she was wearing. A short pink dress with plenty of ribbons and ruffles. It was so short, in fact, that it didn’t quite cover the bulky disposable diaper she wore. The top of her socks were trimmed with lace and the cute Mary Jane shoes were pink, too.
Uh. What. The. Hell?
“That’s Trish,” Rex told me. “She’s new around here. As cute as can be. Her Daddy works at one of the big studios and has started dropping her off here so she won’t be too bored while he’s out making big deals.”
Hmm. It sure seemed like he’d just said that a grown-ass woman—the one who was wearing the frilly dress and diaper—has a Daddy and is at some sort of daycare or something.
Then it hit me.
Athena runs a nursery.
Oh shit!
That common interest he and Lila shared! It was this. Ageplay… or whatever it’s called.
It made so much sense now. And it made sense why one time I’d found an adult-sized pacifier and sippy cup in Lila’s office. I had just figured they were something for a video she was making. Influencers do all kinds of skits and stuff. I had assumed it was just for a bit.
“I think you’ll like playing with her,” he said in a quiet tone before raising his voice so the other woman could hear and calling out, “Hello, Little Miss Trish. You stay back while the car is moving. I don’t want to run over your toes, honey.”
Trish stopped obediently and watched as we rolled by, farther up the long drive toward the side of the house. “Did you bring me a new friend to play with?”
“Sure did!” he called back.
I was trying not to hyperventilate. It wasn’t that I judged Trish or Rex or anyone who was into this stuff. But it wasn’t something I was familiar with. I’d never even thought about it.
Sure, I read some Daddy romances sprinkled in with the other streamy reads on my Kindle. From time to time they featured ageplay. But it wasn’t on my personal kink list.
Again, no judgement. It just wasn’t my jam.
Rex brought the Buick to a stop in front of a detached garage at the end of the driveway. To my right was the backyard, and it looked pretty cool with a huge adult-sized playground, swings, and a big fort. The flowers were pretty too, as were the trees.
There weren’t any greenhouses or rows of trees like a farm. The lot wasn’t big enough for that. So, yeah, that fact—coupled with the cutely dressed woman who’d greeted us—told me I’d really misread what kind of nursery Athena ran.
Well, that explains why they call her Auntie.
Putting the car in park, Rex looked over and flashed me a smile that nearly had me melting in the seat.
Damn. Could this man get any hotter?
“I guess we need to clear some things up.”
Oh no! Was this the part where he let me know he had it all figured out? Had my deception been that obvious?
“I know I’m not telling you anything you don’t already know,” he continued.
“But with any kink, we need to negotiate.” He rolled his eyes.
“I hate to refer to it that way, but that’s what it’s called.
You know what I mean—talk about limits, safewords, and all that.
” Rex winced before adding, “But I’m getting way too ahead of myself.
We just met in person. I know some of the…
Daddy and Little stuff… we chatted about might have just been us caught up in the moment.
So, please know there are no expectations on my part.
Don’t feel like you need to do anything just because I brought you out here. ”
Words escaped me and I had to force the lump in my throat down.
“I… appreciate that.”
“Just go at your own pace. You told me you’re used to hiding your Little nature and going to Little Space alone. So, I can imagine this would be pretty overwhelming. But I can help or Athena or no one. If you want to put a diaper on yourself, go for it.”
Was my face showing how I felt?
“Put what on the who now?” I croaked.
Rex chuckled. “Like I said, it can be overwhelming. I just want you to be comfortable. And I know I speak for Athena when I say she does, as well. If you’re not comfortable being here or participating at any time, just tell me, and we’ll get you a hotel. No questions asked.”
“Thank you,” I said.
Inside, I was freaking out. It was time to tell him! I couldn’t let this lie go on any second longer. Things had already gotten out of hand. And it seemed as if they were about to get crazier.
Before I could spill it all, though, Trish was at the car, saying, “Hi! I’m Trish! It’s wonderful to meet you! We should play!”
She looked so happy. Rex looked so happy.
The woman who stepped out onto the back patio—Athena, I presumed—also looked happy.
That was three really happy people who all appeared eager to spend time with me.
I couldn’t back out now and disappoint them all! At least, that’s what I told myself.
It was going to be an interesting day. That much was for sure.