Series: Paige Michaels
Total pages in book: 48
Estimated words: 45562 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 228(@200wpm)___ 182(@250wpm)___ 152(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 45562 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 228(@200wpm)___ 182(@250wpm)___ 152(@300wpm)
“I like spending time with you,” Tatiana admitted.
“My favorite place to be. With you. Bonus to be here, creating art.”
She nodded in agreement, feeling the exact same way. “So how do we get started? Do we date?”
“We do. And we talk. I know what’s important to you as a business partner. I think I know some of the things you might treasure most as a Little girl, but I’m sure there are some things you’ve disguised,” he suggested and nodded when she looked guilty. “Just as I thought.”
“Are you going to spank me?” she asked.
“Very definitely yes. I’ll take care of all your needs when you’re sweet and cuddly and when you’re bristly and naughty.”
“O-okay.”
Needing to escape those knowing eyes, Tatiana laid her head down on his shoulder and buried her face in the crook of his neck. She inhaled, smelling the scent of ink and other supplies they used. It was familiar and comforting. But underneath, she savored his own scent—warm and masculine. It tantalized and teased her, making her want to explore. Pressing her lips against his skin, she tasted him and froze at the deep moan of arousal he shared with her.
“You’re going to kill me, Little girl. Let’s make this dating phase quick. Okay?”
“Please,” she agreed. “Maybe…”
“Not going to happen, Tatiana. I will look forward to savoring you in my bed. Hell, in the backroom too. But not until we’re both comfortable with what we need.”
“Do you need something?” she asked, peeking up at him.
“I do. Daddies have fragile hearts, too.”
“They do?”
Maniac nodded and pressed a light kiss to her lips. “I plan for this to be the last time either of us looks for someone special to treasure. I’m a possessive beast. We need to do this right.”
She nodded, unable to argue with his logic. He was right. Tatiana wanted a forever Daddy.
“So where do we start?” she asked, yawning with exhaustion.
“I follow you home and make sure you’re safe in your apartment. I want you to dream about your perfect Daddy and share with me tomorrow what you need to be happiest.”
“And you’ll tell me, too?” she asked.
“I will.”
“Okay. Can I have another kiss?”
“I’ll give you as many kisses as you need, Rainbow. I have an endless supply,” Maniac promised.
“Even when I’m bad?”
Hugging her tight to his broad chest, Maniac kissed her thoroughly. “You won’t be bad. It will be your behavior that needs correcting,” he pointed out. “And I’ll always have kisses for you, Tatiana.”
“That makes me happy.”
“Time for happy Little girls to be in bed,” Maniac decreed, boosting her to her feet and standing to take her hand.
“Why did you call me Rainbow?” she asked as he walked her to the door.
“Because you’re the most colorful Little girl I’ve ever known.” He grinned down at her.
Twenty minutes later, Tatiana pressed cool fingers against her kiss-swollen mouth as she knocked on the inside surface of her front door. Maniac stood guard outside, unwilling to leave until he made sure all was safe inside. They’d both known that if he had come in, he would never have left.
“Is this really happening?” she asked. Her voice echoed in the quiet room after the sound of his truck had faded away.
Silence wrapped around her. Tatiana had gotten used to being alone. Her busy schedule didn’t allow her a lot of down time in her apartment alone. Now, listening to the whisper of sounds from her neighbors and outside, she felt lonely for the first time in a long time. Tatiana hugged herself and couldn’t resist dancing in a circle.
It was a good sign to notice she was by herself. Only someone who had something better to compare it to would realize she was missing something—or someone. Squeezing her arms tighter around herself, Tatiana was excited and nervous. This could be the best thing that ever happened to her, or the worst.
Chapter Three
Tatiana strolled into work the next day as if she didn’t have a care in the world. No one needed to know that she’d changed outfits a dozen times and lectured herself the entire drive to the tattoo parlor. Pausing at the door connecting the supply room in the back with the front client space, Tatiana scanned the room and found it empty. She was the first to arrive. So much for making an entrance.
Stomping on the peekaboo stilettos with the pink feathers on the heels, she flipped on the power in the shop, turned on the computer to warm up, and stormed to her workspace to stow her cupcake purse in her storage chest. After taking a deep breath to don her professional persona, Tatiana waltzed over to the front door, unlocked it, and turned on the We’re Open sign.
Almost immediately, the door opened and the former Marine walked inside. He scanned the room automatically as Tatiana had noticed Maniac doing before when he walked into a new space.