Chapter 8
eight
PRESTON
It's the end of Lulu's first week and I already know hiring her will be life-changing for future Littles and Subs who need our help. Her ideas have been incredibly inclusive, not ridiculous, and perfect for all kinds of people to enjoy.
I've enjoyed seeing her Little peek out with excitement when I praise her notes. She does this little thing where her nose scrunches up and she bounces on the balls of her feet as if she's trying to contain her happy feelings.
Her second day was a bit of a shock. After finding out from one of the other Daddies on site that she was writing against a tree with only a sheet of paper, I stocked her up with enough notebooks to last a lifetime. Her pen met the bottom of the first garbage can I saw too.
If she were mine her cute little ass would have been red. Alas, I had to settle for enforcing some rules and expectations.
Had she not panicked a little at the list I started with, I would have continued but I recognized she needed time to settle into the concept of me looking out for her. I can't take care of her as much as I want to yet, so patience has become a constant reminder.
She has learned pretty quick that I expect her in my kitchen by noon for lunch every day.
Under no circumstances should she hesitate to make herself at home.
We're still working on that one, but I love the way she tiptoes to her sandwich and quietly eats with me.
The sweet woman never brings a lunch box and I'm pretty sure she wouldn't drink or eat a damn thing if I didn't require it.
On my long list of concerns is how little she talks, only because I don't want it to be out of fear.
I have a theory that her Little is mostly nonverbal, which would mean she feels safe enough to regress around me.
Fingers crossed that's the case because tonight I invited her over for playtime after her shift.
She blushed so red I feared she would say no, but gave me a small nod and all but ran right back out into the summer heat.
Flipping through her notes, I glance at the clock once again. It's almost six and Lulu still isn't here. I try to remind myself that she's much shorter than I am and it might take her longer to get here, though that doesn't seem quite right.
Sighing, I turn my focus back to her fire pit idea and the drawing.
The detail is amazing. When I told Lulu she needed to be more descriptive if she wouldn't verbally tell me her thoughts, I wasn't expecting this level of dedication.
She has such a creative mind that I've been absolutely amazed so many times this week.
She's exactly what we need to make this place feel welcoming and comfortable for a wide range of guests.
I'm thinking about hiring a few more individuals who are familiar with other kinks to do something similar to the impromptu position I created for her.
I would ask the other Littles running around to help, and I'm sure they will still provide their opinions, but I need other perspectives too.
There's no denying Lulu is a Little. I may not have heard her verbally tell me she is, but her behavior, knowledge of the lifestyle, and her acceptance of me being a Daddy is all I need to pull out all the stops to make that sweet girl mine.
"Alright," I snap, standing abruptly from my chair. She should have been here at least a half hour ago. I can't wait any longer and I won't pretend to. Lulu is mine.
I've kept my eyes peeled on my trek to the employee parking lot and haven't found Lulu. Her shitty truck is still in its spot but I'm not sure if that's a good thing or not.
Where is she if she's not with me? I'd understand if she simply forgot about our date and went home. So why is she here?
My frown is beginning to give me a headache but I press on. Catching sight of a guard near the gate, I hustle toward him, thankful it's Kevin. He's our best guy and should get a promotion if he can tell me where my Lulu is.
"Kevin!" I shout, clearing my throat of the total desperation stealing my sanity. If she's hurt on the grounds somewhere...
"Hey, bossman," Kevin greets with an easy smile on his face. "What can I do for you?"
"Have you seen Lulu? She was supposed to come to my place after her shift." Everyone who works for me knows who Lulu is and is very aware that's she's mine. I have no issue staking my claim, especially when it ensures more protection for my Little girl.
She has an aura of anxiety that goes beyond something common. I can't shake the fear that she's afraid of something or someone. Either way, I'll protect her with my life as would the other people around.
Kevin's relaxed face morphs into a frown. "Her shift isn't over yet, Pres. Was she supposed to be off early or something?"
I didn't know it was possible for my muscles to tense even more than they already were. Sure enough, my back goes ramrod straight and my jaw clicks with the ferocity of the clench.
"What the fuck do you mean her shift isn't over yet?"
Kevin shifts on his feet, looking a bit unsure. "Um, didn't you make her schedule? She leaves around seven-thirty each night."
"Excuse me?" My tone comes across much harsher than I intend, but why in the actual fuck is my girl not getting home until dark?
Kevin gulps at the same time I see another guard. Jeremy picked up an extra shift this week for his brother, but normally works mornings. "Jeremy. Come here please."
He pales beneath his blond beard, but I don't have the patience to feel bad about being an ass. "Sup?" Jeremy rumbles stepping up beside Kevin.
"What time does Lulu start her shift each day?" I'm pretty sure I'm going to be pissed the fuck off by his answer.
Jeremy glances at Kevin. "Uh..." He chuckles nervously.
"She rolls in right before sunrise. I've been wondering why you have your poor girl working so early.
If she were mine, I'd have her in bed until at least seven.
And for sure, a nap. Have you seen how hard she works?
She's always running around with her notebook and—"
"That's enough!" I bark, fists clenching at my sides and my temples throbbing with the realization that Lulu has been working almost twelve-hour days. No wonder she doesn't fucking talk to me. She must be pissed about working so much.
Why is she working so much? Why didn't someone say something?
"From now on, if you so much as get a whisper of Lulu coming in before nine and leaving after five, you fucking tell me. Do I make myself clear?"
They nod and chorus, "Yes, sir." Their shocked attention shifts from me to over my shoulder in the next moment right as I hear a small gasp. Turning on my heel, I curse quietly when I find Lulu almost ten feet away with her hand over her plush lips.
"Preston! Don't shout at them!" Lulu trembles and looks like she's about to fall over from exhaustion, yet she stands up for Kevin and Jeremy like they're her friends.
I should be her only fucking friend, I think to myself and quickly dismiss it. No, my Little one can have as many friends as she wants.
"We're okay, honey." Kevin's quick to soothe her, pissing me off all the while making me feel thankful I have good men around her.
Jeremy steps forward and stands next to me with his arms crossed. "Little lady," he rumbles. "Care to explain why you've been working from sun-up to sun-down?"
Now her eyebrows pull together. I've about had it with everyone’s confusion. "Be-because I thought I was supposed to. N-nobody told me times."
That earns me two heavy-ass glares from my guards. "Fuck," I hiss and reach her in under five damn strides. Her big eyes widen even more with each step I take, but I'm done including anyone else in a conversation between Little and Daddy.
Without pausing, or trying to ease her worries, I bend and scoop her up with my hands placed beneath her knees and on her lower back.
"Preston!" Lulu squeaks as she clings to my neck. "Ohmigod. What are you doing?"
Thank fuck she’s talking to me and that stutter in her voice is gone. I don't want her scared of me but we need to have a conversation about self-care. If I have to make it a rule that she listens to the exhaustion so clearly weighing her down I will.
"Home," I grunt, knowing I need to give her something. A red ass sounds right for the total lack of care she's been giving herself, but we need to talk first.
She's too warm, and damp from twelve-fucking-hours of sweating in the summer heat. And I didn't see her water bottle in her hand before I swooped her off of her feet.
Enough of the tiptoeing. Lulu clearly needs someone to look out for her and make sure she doesn't fucking die from exhaustion and heat stroke. Next on my list is that damn death trap she drives to and from work in the dark.
Nobody hurts my Lulu. Not even Lulu herself.
"We're going to have a talk about rules, little girl."