He heads that way and returns with it. “Open it for me so I can put my number in.”
I sit up, self-conscious about my nudity, and unlock the screen before handing it back to him. I watch as he enters his number and sends himself a text.
He sets it on the nightstand. “I’ll be here at six.” He gives me one more kiss, lingering and growling as if he really doesn’t want to leave.
My mind reels as he walks out of my bedroom, and I flinch when the door to the house closes. Already I’m wondering if he was really ever here.
I quickly slide off my bed and rush toward the front of the house. I pull the curtains back just a few inches in my living room and watch as Tate gets in his SUV. He’s real.
I giggle as I turn and hurry back to my bedroom. It’s early, but I slept well, and I’m energized. There’s no way I could go back to sleep. I take a quick shower and then sit down at my computer to search for local waxing places. There’s one on thesame block as the candy store where I work. I’ve never noticed it before. Why would I? Waxing has never been something I’ve considered.
I’m surprised to see they open at seven in the morning, so I go ahead and call them, hoping I can book something during my lunch hour. I have to fortify myself and be brave when the woman informs me she has availability right now if I want to come in before work.
I’m shaking after I accept that time slot and hang up.Deep breaths. Deep breaths. My life has taken a one-eighty in just over twelve hours. I don’t have time to ponder the implications. I have to get going.
Chapter Eight
I’m giddy when Tate shows up precisely at six o’clock. I open the door with a pep in my step and hold it wide to let him in.
He smirks. “You’re awfully chipper, Little girl. Did you eat a lot of gummy bears today?”
I roll my eyes. “No. I only ate a few after lunch. And I brushed my teeth really well when I got home.” I open my mouth wide and tip my head all around so he can inspect my teeth. “My new boyfriend is a dentist.”
He grabs me around the waist and hauls me against him, kissing me senseless without hesitation. “Sassy girl,” he mutters when he releases my lips. “Where is the gummy bear stash?”
I giggle. “I’m not telling.”
He chuckles. “Did you pack any to bring to my house?”
I shake my head. “Nope. I packed Now and Laters.”
He gasps, his eyes widening in horror. “Please tell me you’re kidding. I might be able to tolerate a few gummy bears in your mouth from time to time, but Now and Laters are banned from your existence starting now.”
I figured he would say that. I put on a fake pout. “But, Daddy…”
“I mean it. I’m putting my foot down. Those things are evil. Do you know how much money parents pay every year for fillings and then the fillings that get pulled out from those evil squares of sugar?”
I giggle. “I’m kidding. I don’t eat them. They take too long to chew. I’m too impatient.”
He blows out a relieved breath. “How about lollipops? Those are safer, especially if they’re made out of natural ingredients. How about if you switch to lollipops?”
I curl up my nose. “Where can you buy lollipops with natural ingredients? That sounds icky.”
He laughs. “Well, they have them at Littleworld.”
My eyes go wide. “Have you been there?”
“Yep. A few times. They don’t have a permanent dentist on the island. I go over for a few weeks every year to help out.”
My jaw drops. I’ve never imagined a scenario in which I might get to go to Littleworld. Could I maybe go with Tate someday? If we stay together. I mean we’ve only been dating for like one day. It seems intense and fast-paced, but that doesn’t mean we’ll really make it together.
He steps closer, pulling me in tight against him. “Did you want to go to Littleworld, Baby girl?”
I shrug as if it isn’t that big of a deal, but I’m sure I’ve already given away my feelings with my expressions. “I heard only really regressed Littles go there.” Layla went, and I know she was deeply regressed, but Amelia moved there recently. She’s deeply regressed, too.
Tate kisses my nose. “Yes, but I bet you could try it. We could practice at home and see how it makes you feel first. If you hate it, we won’t go.”
“But…you would still go without me…” That part makes me sad.
