Page 35 of Echoes of Temptation
“Tried?”
“Yes, tried. He’s this massively sexy Daddy Dom I met at a club. Anyway, that’s beside the point. Midway through our date we get interrupted by these two hulking, can’t mind their own business, men demanding to know who the heck was sitting at my table.”
It took some explaining on Knox’s end before I fully understood the dynamic between a Daddy Dom and a Little, like Knox. I don’t think I could ever give someone that much control over my life but at the same time, I can understand the appeal.
The trust to give yourself over to someone so completely is baffling to me. Heck, I don’t even trust my parents that much.
“What happened?” I ask, stopping my car at a traffic light. I really should have waited until I was home to call Knox. I’m completely invested in this story now.
“What do you think happened?” he grumbles.
“They dragged you away from your date kicking and screaming?” I guess, already knowing the answer. This isn’t the first time this month this exact same thing happened.
“It’s so freaking frustrating, Maddy,” he whines. “They won’t let me live my life the way I want.”
“They’re just trying to keep you safe,” I remind him. “They care about you, Knox.”
“Maybe,” he sighs. “But, caring about me means letting me live a life that would make me happy. I’m not all that happy right now. I really needed this date, Maddy. We were going to go to the Big/Little club up in Pointhill for a Little date. Do you know how long it’s been since I’ve been able to regress? Six months. I can’t find that safe space in my head to let go. Not even when I’m home alone.”
“I’m sorry,” I say. “I’m not a Dom, but you can come to my apartment and I can try and help. Heck, if anything, we can just have a sleepover and watch tv, color, and eat way too much junk food. It might not be your normal Little days but we can still have some fun. Maybe Bitsy and Sophie could join us.”
“You know, that sounds like a great idea. I’ll call them and we’ll set something up.”
“Out of curiosity,” I smile, pulling into the apartment’s parking lot. “Which club did you meet this man at?”
“Uhm.”
“No wonder they dragged you away,” I laugh. “You know full well that anyone not vetted by Obsidian Oasis is not trustworthy in Blaze and Steel’s mind. I think you do these things on purpose.”
“Hey, they won’t let me become a member of their club so I had to go somewhere else.”
“And did you tell them this?” I ask, already knowing the answer.
“Hell, no,” he laughs. “I would never be allowed to leave their sights again.”
“What they need is someone of their own,” I tell him. “Then maybe they won’t pester you so much.”
“They’re going to be single forever,” he says. “They’re way too freaking bossy. There isn’t a single person alive who can handle them individually. Let alone at the same time.”
“Maybe,” I say, not completely agreeing with him this time. “Alright. Talk to Bitsy and Sophie and set something up. I haven’t seen you guys for two weeks now. I’m excited.”
And I am. I’ve met up with Sophie, Bitsy, and Knox at least once a week for a long time now. They’ve become my three best friends.
“Me, too. It will probably be for tonight. So, get things ready.”
“Will do. Bye.”
“See ya.”
I look up at my apartment building and frown. This place hasn’t felt like home for months now. Something needs to change.
I go through the process of entering all of the codes to make it up to my apartment but I don’t mind it. Even though this place doesn’t feel like home, it does feel safe.
“Hey, baby.”
Screaming, I do the only thing I can to defend myself. I throw the sweater I have draped over my arm at the intruder.
“Careful there. You could have seriously harmed me.”