Series: Little Cakes Series by Pepper North
Total pages in book: 50
Estimated words: 46837 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 234(@200wpm)___ 187(@250wpm)___ 156(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 46837 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 234(@200wpm)___ 187(@250wpm)___ 156(@300wpm)
Until that day, he had lived with wishful thinking. But their interaction caused him to shift gears and take a closer look. He knew for certain this train was one he needed to hop on the moment he dragged her into the bathroom yesterday and shut the door.
Riley had been working the bar. It was like a switch flipped and she was suddenly Little. And then she kissed him.
Those sweet lips on his… It was a wonder he’d been able to stop at all. He’d wanted to grab her shoulders, flatten her to the door, and deepen the connection, blocking out the entire world.
He hadn’t cared a bit that several people were knocking on the door and calling out for them to hurry. He and Riley had existed in a vacuum for several minutes, and he’d never wanted it to end.
Tonight, he was going to make it abundantly clear that she was his Little girl and put an end to the charade.
With her hand in his, he guided her into the restaurant. There were plenty of tables available at this early hour, and the hostess led them to a booth.
Instead of sitting across from her, he waited for her to slide onto the seat and then scooted in next to her. He tried not to grin as she glanced at him, flustered.
He pulled the menu between them so they could both look at it. “You didn’t tell me what you like on your pizza, baby.”
She fidgeted as she looked at the paper he held. “Uh, whatever you want is fine.”
“So anchovies and pineapple works for you?” he teased.
She scrunched up her nose as she looked at him. “Gross.”
“Then I guess whatever I want isn’t fine.”
“Is that what you’d really order?”
He chuckled. “No, but I like teasing you.” He set his arm along the back of the booth and stroked her shoulder with his fingers.
Her eyes were warm as she stared at him. “I think I like it when you tease me,” she said earnestly.
His chest tightened and he couldn’t resist reaching for her chin and tipping her head back so he could bring his lips to hers. Just like yesterday, the world ceased to exist while he held her mouth captive.
Her lips were so soft, and he loved the way she tentatively touched his tongue and the sweet noise she probably didn’t know she made.
Breaking the kiss was tough, but they were in a public place, and he wanted to feed her before they took this any farther. He also needed to talk to her.
She surprised him when she took a deep breath, held his gaze, and said, “Pepperoni, bacon, and mushrooms.”
He grinned. “Perfect. And to drink?”
“Uh, I usually drink beer with pizza.”
He shook his head. “Not tonight. Tonight I want you to be completely sober so we can talk frankly.”
“Okay.” Her cheeks flushed.
“How about lemon-lime soda?” he suggested.
“Okay,” she repeated.
The waitress showed up with perfect timing, and Milo gave her their order before turning back to face Riley. “Now that we’ve broken the ice, can I just say how pleased I am that you agreed to go out with me?”
She licked those sweet lips. “I’m glad too,” she murmured before looking down at her lap.
“Hey…” He cupped her chin again. “What’s wrong?”
She took a deep breath, which sent a bit of panic up his spine. Was she not on the same page as him?
Finally, she lifted her gaze. “The thing is. I don’t want you to get the wrong idea about, uh…”
He stopped breathing. Shit. But wait… She’d just kissed him. It wasn’t friendly. It also wasn’t the first time. What wrong idea was she talking about? “Tell me, baby. Wrong idea about what?”
“Shibari.” She blew out a breath as if that were the most painful word she’d ever uttered.
Milo’s brows drew together. “What about Shibari?”
She shuddered. “It’s just that I know it’s important to you, and you’ve hinted several times that you’d like me to do a demo with you and…” She lifted her gaze and stared at him. “I can’t, Milo.”
He frowned. “Can’t what?”
“I don’t like to be tied up in ropes.”
“Ohh.” All the air left his lungs. She’d scared him, and in the end it was for nothing. Did she think he wouldn’t want to go out with her just because she didn’t like Shibari?
Riley sat up straighter and tucked a loose lock of dark hair behind her ear. “I’d totally understand if you didn’t want to date me or whatever.” She shifted her weight against the bench nervously.
He stiffened and tipped her chin back again. “Baby, that is not the case. Daddies don’t set qualifications on what you have to enjoy in order to be their Little girl.”
She swallowed hard. “I know, but ropes are important to you, and—”
He shook his head. “There’s no and. Shibari is fun. I enjoy the artistry. But it’s absolutely not something I require my Little girl to participate in.”