Chapter 7
seven
LULU
I'm cranky. Normally a sleepless night doesn't bother me much. It's the norm.
The one night I need to sleep, I can't. I don't know if it was anxiety or excitement about my first job, but every time I closed my eyes I either thought about all the ways I could mess up on my first day or the usual nightmares came for me.
To top it off, my father destroyed most of everything that resembled an office supply before he left town.
I'm incredibly embarrassed about the fact that my "notebook" is a few sheets of paper I found in my mom's nightstand.
The pen I dug out from beneath the rusty oven has jabbed me multiple times already too.
It should probably be thrown away with the plastic sticking out all over it, but I need supplies.
Reverently, I tuck Mom's old phone into the dirty pink string backpack I've chosen to use for work. I don't remember when I got it, but I've loved it since I knew how to wear it. It's fit for a young girl, but it makes me happy. Especially because it hides my silly paper and pen.
Thankfully, on the drive out of Reclaiming Red yesterday I saw a small parking lot off to the side that said employee parking. With a confidence that has bolstered my mood, I guide the old truck into the far corner.
At least I know something, right? I should have stayed and asked more questions yesterday but I was quickly running out of the ability to socialize without a complete breakdown.
My cheeks burn and my scalp tingles with self-consciousness I've been trying to ignore since Preston learned I'm a Little. Heck, I've been embarrassed since I screamed in fear at the guard yesterday. I'm a mess.
Today I'm also a physical mess. The bags under my eyes are worse, and the sun beating down on me is making me sweaty. I should have gone for a skirt, but jeans felt more professional, though I'm worried about passing out now. I didn't think to fill a bottle with tap water before I left.
Huffing out a breath, I squint into the rising sun.
As I glance around I see nobody's out aside from the guard at the gate who gave me a badge yesterday.
Something about Preston calling down to give me clearance.
..I don't know. I'm just grateful I was able to get in without issue and know where to park.
Now I'm a little lost. Preston told me he wants my opinions on how to make this place welcoming and comfortable. I wonder if he meant to say for someone like me—a Little, but I bet he was being respectful.
Glancing over to a small clearing beneath a cluster of trees, I decide I'll start there. The outside needs to be my first focus—it's the first thing everyone will see as they enter.
A small rock calls my sleepy self toward it, so I sit and just breathe for a moment. I have a lot of questions and uncertainties about what I'm supposed to do but for now I know a fire pit and some decent chairs would make this small clearing pretty cool.
Oh, and twinkly lights. Always twinkly lights.
There are many reasons my forehead could be hurting but I'm leaning toward the fact I've been frowning since the sun rose. It's so darn bright, I should have grabbed a hat from home. Mom had one but I can't recall the last place I saw it.
I'm convinced father had a fire and destroyed most of her things. Some of mine went with it. Or he took them to pawn off when he left. My frown deepens, nothing we've ever owned has been worth selling.
Blowing out a breath I recenter my thoughts on to the good things. Because those exist now. Everyone has been very sweet and kept their distance all day with their own chores so I've actually found some comfort within the gates of Reclaiming Red.
"Lulu, what in the hell are you doing?!"
Jumping, I turn away from the glaring sun and find Preston stomping toward me. Sweat drips from his temples and the shirt he's wearing clings to him. The fear I initially had with his stern tone takes a nosedive right into his lap.
My goodness... Is that...
"Eyes up here, baby girl."
My clit pulses in response to his words. The arousal flooding my core has me shooting my gaze up so fast my vision swims. So pretty.
Preston snorts then places a hand against my lower back and begins guiding me down the path toward a cluster of cute buildings. "I'm glad you think I'm pretty but do me a favor and never say that around the other Daddies, okay?"
I swear my temperature doubles with his proximity and the reminder that he's a Daddy. A hot Daddy. "Too hot." I pout and step away from the touch with a little skip ahead of him.
He catches up to me with his long strides. So big. "Mhmm. I thought so. Let's go cool off and get some lunch, how does that sound?"
How does that sound? Expensive and like I can't afford whatever fancy food they have here. I don't say that though because he's staring at me. I can feel it. Okay, no, I peeked and his attention makes me squirmy.
"Where's your water bottle, little girl?"
My Little senses spark to life, recognizing the impending doom of his Daddy tone. So I shrug and shake my head. It's not a lie. Good girls never lie.
"Lulu." His tone is curt and a warning.
Twisting my lips, I decide to take the easy way out. "Dunno, sir." I really don't. My father could have thrown it away or taken it with him. I suppose I could bring a cup of water and sip it throughout the day.
Thankfully he drops the issue. His next question is one I don't need to be evasive for because I really don't know. "You look like you're about to fall over. How long have you been here?"
Again, because I don't really feel like speaking, I shrug.
We're closing in on the group of buildings when he throws me a curveball. "What's your last name?"
"Lee," I whisper. Maybe I should learn sign language so I don't have to speak ever again. His hand grabs my elbow gently to guide me toward a specific house but I pull it away and remind him, "Hot."
His eyebrows are furrowed when I glance at him, but he's working on unlocking the front door of the cabin. Hopefully he's upset with the lock instead of me. I didn't do anything wrong that I can think of. He doesn't know there's a possibility I don't own a water bottle.
"Inside," he rumbles once the door is open. Normally I'd hesitate but the whoosh of cold air beckons me forward until I all but faceplant into the hardwood floors. "Sit."
Hmm, maybe it is frustrating when someone uses only one word to get their point across. I listen anyway though because now that I'm in a dimly lit home with air conditioning and an actual chair, I collapse on the stool at the pretty island.
Humming with contentment and relief, I enjoy the way the counter feels on my sweaty palms. I'm being gross, but I'll clean it when I leave. My forehead follows and I practically melt into the chill. That doesn't make sense.
"Alright, Lulu Lee."
My neck spasms with the speed in which I lift my head. I'm in trouble. Oh gosh. What did I do?
A sandwich of epic proportions catches my eye as well as a hot-pink water bottle. The reprieve helps me take a breath, then Preston makes me feel even better.
With his palms on the counter much like mine, he towers over me even from the other side of the island. "You are to eat as much of that sandwich as you can. Water too."
I'm already lifting the yummy goodness to my mouth without second thought. I've gotten pretty good at ignoring the hunger pains and painfully dry throat over the years. I also know how to still eat with respect. Shoveling food into my mouth was a great way to get it taken away again.
"Good girl," Preston coos and just watches me. A few soft moans fall from my lips but I'm a little too delirious to care. If he's mad, then I'd rather eat first and be punished later.
A few minutes later I can't tolerate another bite. It's embarrassing after noticing Preston demolished his two sandwiches, I've barely made it halfway through one.
"Are you done, baby girl?"
Nodding, I place my hands on my belly and cringe. Maybe too full. The urge to vomit rises so I take my first sips from the pretty water bottle. That pulls a groan of pleasure from me.
Warmth touches my chin and I yank the bottle away. Eyes wide and mouth parted, I suck in a breath as Preston sucks the water droplet off of his thumb.
"You did so good," he coos as if he didn't just wipe the water from me and drink it himself. "Tomorrow, little girl, I expect you to bring that water and drink at least two of them while you're here. Understand?"
It sounds like a rule so I don't question him. I suppose he doesn't want his staff passing out on his property. "Yes, sir."
He studies me for a beat. "If at any point I'm overstepping, making you uncomfortable, or you just need me to back off, please use a safeword.
The staff here understands the traffic light system and will respect it too.
Green for good, yellow for slow down, and red for stop.
You can use them at any time. I won't be mad, but we will talk about it so I know how to be better for you. Okay?"
"Yes, sir," I whisper, cheeks blooming with heat for a whole new reason.
Preston curses silently and mumbles something about me calling him a different name soon. I ignore it and wipe my hands on my damp sweaty jeans and take another sip of water.
Feeling a little better, I hop from my stool to get back to work. "Thank you," I murmur, wanting him to know I appreciate lunch. Later I'll worry about what I owe him, especially after he wraps the sandwich in a baggy and wrestles it into the bag at my back.
Blushing and a little like what the heck just happened, I shuffle toward the door. Water bottle in hand and backpack made heavier by the addition of dinner for tonight, I wave at Preston.
"Little girl?" he calls before I fully leave.
When I turn around he's closer than I thought, only a foot separating us. My breath catches and I swear my toes fall off and run away with shock. He kisses my sweaty, yucky forehead.
"See you for lunch tomorrow. Here. That's your new rule."
I squeak and chase my toes right out the darn door. So much for cooling off.