Chapter 6
six
PRESTON
"Baby girl," I coo, watching Lulu's breaths turn to small gasps. "I'm sorry for coming on so strong. I want you to know that no matter what, you have a place here with us."
"I—" she croaks, swallowing repeatedly. "I do?"
Christ, this woman is going to rip my heart out. "Yes. I really need you to help me make this place more welcoming and comfortable. You've proven you have a good eye."
Her head snaps up and the look on her face can only be described as shame. "I don't have any money to do anything for this place!" she blurts, tears immediately filling her eyes.
Fuck it all right to hell. Without any more hesitation, I slip my hands beneath her armpits and lift her out of the beanbag chair. I despise how easy it is to maneuver her. For the first time, I'm cradling my sweet girl on my lap, and she's not fighting me.
"Enough of that." With her legs over mine, and her back resting against my arm, I use my free hand to wipe her cheeks. "You aren't paying for anything, Lulu. I'm paying you for your expertise. That's how jobs work."
Blinking up at me with her big brown eyes, she looks so confused. "Oh. R-really?"
It takes a copious amount of effort to restrain the rage building inside of me. How fucking sheltered is she? Tucking a strand of dark hair behind her ear I focus on her. "I'm going to try not to sound like an ass, but have you never had a job?"
Shaking her head side to side, Lulu purses her lips like she won't say a word on the topic, except for letting me know that at nineteen years old she doesn't know how being employed fucking works. Where are her parents? Or guardians? Or anyone that fucking cares about her?
"Alright." I grit my teeth but quickly suck in a breath when she shifts off of my lap and scrambles to stand a few feet away from me. Much closer to the door. Damnit, why wasn't I holding her tighter? "Where are you going?"
Shifting nervously on the balls of her feet, Lulu avoids eye contact. "I—I don't know."
"What's wrong?" My question comes out a little too harsh and much too demanding. But whatever tone I used, makes her jolt and draws an answer out of her.
"I don't like being touched," she whimpers and steps back.
Goddamnit. I feel like I'm about to throw up from the sheer amount of fear wafting off of my Little girl. There's no denying she's mine even if I wanted to.
"I'm sorry, Lulu. You needed comfort though, right?"
She hesitates but nods.
"And did it help being in my arms?"
Another nod except this time she seems to be shrinking in on herself.
"Why run then?"
I get nothing this time. Not a nod or a shake of her head. Hell, I would settle for a damn shrug. "Baby?"
When she finally moves, the air is sucked right from my lungs. Her blanket makes an appearance as she raises it to her chest, and fuck me, she tickles the tip of her nose with the fringes.
My Daddy instincts fucking skyrocket as I watch Lulu regress right in front of me. Honestly I'm terrified to spook her though. If I'm correct, then this regression was brought on by anxiety and uncertainty. Because of me.
I'm stiff in my seat as I watch her begin to rock herself back and forth. What do I do? No way am I letting her leave my fucking sight now but will she let me hold her?
I've been Daddying Lulu since I met her thirty minutes ago and each time she has pulled back. There's no telling what she might do if I approach her and I'm not sure I want to take the risk.
"Baby girl, would you like to sit?" I say softly so as not to spook her.
No luck. She whips her head up to look at me, eyes surprised like she forgot I was here.
What's to stop her from slipping into Little space while she's grocery shopping or heaven forbid.
.. driving? Thank fuck she found Reclaiming Red for her first job.
I don't want to imagine the way people would have treated her at a different establishment.
Keeping my tone low and my shoulders curled in, I nod like I understand what she's feeling. "Oh, shh. It's—"
"Preston?" A knock sounds against my door making me literally fucking jump. Lulu on the other hand gasps so hard she chokes and sprints from the door.
"Shit!" I hiss, putting my hands up and turning to comfort her as she huddles near the window. Except, fucking Bash knocks again with more insistence.
Swearing beneath my breath I get the door. Lulu might feel more comfortable with the door open anyway.
"Bash," I growl, gripping the handle a bit too hard making the metal creak. "What do you need?"
I watch as my friend's frown deepens and his lips pop open with surprise once he see's Lulu. Then, as if I weren't on edge already, he beams at my girl
"Hi, little one!" Bash greets, stepping into my office and shoving me aside. I've never committed murder but the thought flickers through my mind, only to be squashed when Lulu's shoulders relax.
Slamming a hand down on my friend’s shoulder, I shove him into the chair on the other side of my desk. "Baby, this is my friend, Bash. You've met him, right?"
Please say something.
Swallowing repeatedly, Lulu glances between us a few times before straightening her shoulders. I can literally see Big Lulu coming back. She shoves her Little away with a gulp and a hard blink. "Yes," she croaks. "Hi, Bash."
I'm standing, Lulu's standing, and Bash lounges in his chair studying our behavior. I'm almost certain he can feel the total possessiveness rolling off of me but he wouldn't be Bash without pushing my buttons.
"Nice to see you, baby girl."
Like a switch flips, I block Lulu from view, giving her my back and staring my friend down with an intensity only a Daddy who has found their Little can manage. "Don't call her that," I grit out, holding in the curse words I want to throw at him.
Bash smirks, and rubs his jaw like he's thinking. "Alright. I hear you," he promises, immediately settling me. He knows she’s mine.
Silence wraps around us. While Bash probably enjoys watching me squirm, I know Lulu must be terrified. Although, she sure seemed to relax once she knew it wash Bash.
My jealousy takes a backseat as the air shifts and Lulu breezes by me. Her blanket is once again tucked into a ball beneath her arm. A sad representation of her Little's retreat.
"Thank you for the job, Mr. Preston," she whispers and I swear my heart swells at how adorable she sounds. "See you tomorrow."
"Lulu—" She all but rushes out of the room, not allowing me to finish my sentence. I want to tell her she doesn't need to work on the weekends, but she's gone before I can say anything. Fuck, I didn't even get her phone number.
My muscles clench tighter and tighter as I go through all the things I forgot to say, all the information I don't know about her. Not to mention I don't have my eyes on her and she's actively running from me...I'm going to snap.
Bash wants to be my victim it seems. "She's sweet, huh?"
"I'll kill you," I growl and slump into the chair I had vacated.
Tomorrow can't come fast enough.