Chapter One
“Are you sure about this? Do I look okay? Maybe I’m overdressed. Maybe I should have picked something more adult. I look like I’m going to a party.” I run my hands through my hair, panic suddenly making my heart race.
Layla turns toward me and shakes her head, sending her nearly white pigtails flying. “Sophia, you look fantastic. Stop worrying. Tate is going to love this dress.”
We’re in the master bathroom at her house getting ready for date night. Layla’s Daddy has invited Tate over, setting the two of us up. It’s not a blind date because I’ve met Tate many times at the Dungeon, but I’ve never met up with him outside of the club. I’ve never met up withanyoneoutside of the club.
I stare at myself in the full-length mirror on the back of the bathroom door. My hair is bright blue because I like it that way. It’s in high pigtails, and I have bangs that cover my forehead. It makes me happy. But it also means I have to choose my clothes carefully. Today I’m wearing a white party dress with large blue dots on it. The skirt is poofy and short, making it perfect for my Little. The bodice is tight around my chest and kind of sexy, making that top half appear more adult. It hugs my ample breasts and dips low enough to show some cleavage.
It’s far fancier than necessary for what is basically a play date at Layla’s house. The only thing keeping me from hyperventilating is the fact that Layla is dressed similarly in a pink party dress.
It’s too late for us to change anyway. Tate will be here any second. Surely he won’t judge me for overdressing. After all, he’s seen me dressed like this plenty of times at the Dungeon.
I draw in a deep breath and let it out slowly. I’ve been half in love with Tate for a long time, but I’ve never had the guts to share my feelings with him. Until recently, when Layla told me he wanted her and Theo to set him up with me, I had no idea he was even interested in me like that.
I suppose I still don’t know for sure what his intentions are, but he was persistent, so I assume he sees me as a potential partner. He must not mind my blue hair since this playdate was his idea. He specifically asked Layla about me—more than once.
I look down at my shoes. “Maybe the ruffled socks and Mary Janes are overkill.”
Layla giggles. “They’re not. You’re perfect.”
I’m irrationally nervous. The thing is, I’m not as Little as Layla. Ever since she met Theo, she has regressed deeper than I’ve ever known her to play. It was a surprise to her, too. She hadn’t fully realized she would enjoy a younger age. She has explained to me that it just sort of evolved that way between her and Theo. Layla says it’s much easier to fully engage your Little when you have a caregiver.
I get that. It makes sense. I’ve never had a full-time Daddy. I’ve done scenes at the Dungeon with a lot of different Doms—some of them Daddies—but I’ve never dated one outside of the club.
There’s comfort in being inside the Dungeon. I never have to worry about being judged. I can be my inner Little for a fewhours on a Friday or Saturday night and let go of any stress that builds up throughout the week.
I’ve done scenes with Tate. My usual MO is to intentionally misbehave with my friends so that we all attract the attention of a few Daddy Doms until they come over and spank us. Tate has been one of them on many occasions. He’s a great spanker. My favorite. He’s also incredibly handsome, but I had no idea he was interested in me for more than just an occasional play partner at the Dungeon.
I was surprised when Layla called me and told me Tate wanted to meet me outside the club. I’m glad we’re doing it this way. A double date at Layla’s house is a good stepping block. It’s safe here. All four of us are in the lifestyle.
It’s still going to be strange meeting up with people outside of the club. It’s like I stepped over a line into another dimension. My Little is a side of me I keep in a black plastic bin in my closet. I open it when I’m going to the club, take out an outfit, and put it back when I’m done. It’s like a box of Halloween costumes. In fact, if anyone ever discovered it, I could easily say that’s what it is.
“Ready?” Layla asks. “Let’s go downstairs.” Layla takes my hand and tugs me toward the door. Toward uncertainty. Toward possibilities.
Am I ready for this?
Chapter Two
I take a deep breath as I follow Layla into the living room. Her Daddy, Theo, is incredibly wealthy. His home is huge and extravagant. I’ve never lived anywhere this nice. Layla has told me he’s a commercial real estate agent. I guess they make good money.
Tate has already arrived, and both men stand from where they’re sitting on the giant sectional as we enter.
Layla runs toward Theo and jumps into his arms, wrapping her legs around his waist as if she hasn’t seen him for months instead of the fifteen minutes it’s been since he last checked on us upstairs.
I shuffle into the room slower, rubbing my hands together, feeling more self-conscious than I ever have in my life. Maybe this was a mistake. I’m out of my element.
Tate—looking as handsome as he always does—gives me his award-winning smile and comes toward me. I wonder if he will hold out a hand to shake mine or what we might do as a greeting. Shaking his hand feels weird. It’s not like I’ve never met him.
His smile grows as he approaches. “Sophia, you look so pretty in that dress.” Instead of taking my hand, he cups my cheek and strokes my chin with his thumb.
My heart is racing, and my breath hitches as I tip my head back to look up at him. I’m five-four. He’s a foot taller than me. His height and stature are part of what attracts me to him. That and his thick brown hair and green eyes. The dimples on his cheeks when he smiles. His broad shoulders and muscles that make it look like he could easily lift me right off the floor and hold me the way Theo is holding Layla—effortlessly with a hand under her bottom.
But what I love most about Tate is the stern expression evident in the lines on his forehead even when he’s smiling. He has that expression now, and it makes me shiver.
Sometimes at the Dungeon, I enjoy watching him from across the room and pretend he’s the most powerful, firm Daddy in the world. It’s all made up in my head, of course. I have no idea if he’s as stern as he looks or not. I’m also not sure I would enjoy the level of dominance he exudes in real life.
My experience with domination is pretty limited, considering I’m a member of a kink club and visit it frequently. I’ve seen every kind of kink. I’ve watched Doms and subs throughout the club and witnessed many forms of bondage and impact play. I’ve seen fire play and knife play. I’ve held my breath as I glued my eyes to suspension play and other extreme rope play.
