“Pablo.”
He hesitates when I use his name. I offer him a reassuring smile.
“If other people heard the way we talk to each other, they probably wouldn’t understand why I agree to most of it. Never once has your possessiveness made me fear I’ll lose my independence or that you don’t see me as an equal, even when we considered a true D/s relationship. Just the opposite. Your possessiveness makes me feel like I can do anything. That nothing can stop me because you’ll always make sure I’m protected enough to do it. It’s not a false sense of safety. I understand the dangers we face now and will in the future. But I want you to know how much I appreciate how empowered you make me feel. How desirable.”
“I never want you to feel like a possession even when I’m at my most possessive. If you ever do, please tell me. I’m protective by nature and nurture. There will be times when I can’t explain to you why I seem over the top. Please trust I will tell you what I can when I decide the time is right. I wish I could always tell you everything, but I never will. Just because I wish I could confide in you doesn’t mean I want you to know what I do.”
“I understand that.”
“I will never lie about how I feel about you. I admit there will be times when I manipulate you for your safety, my family’s, the people who depend on my family, and me. It won’t be for my personal gain.”
“I get that, but thank you for being honest about it. Daddy, take me to bed.”
“Little one, the things I’m about to do to you. I have plans.”
Chapter Thirty-One
Pablo
I’ve often thought of Flora asla reina—the queen. From how she stood up to me from the start to how she’s handled each crisis thrown our way day after day. But she’s always been the queen of my heart. I knew it from the start, and I know it deep into my marrow. Just like there will never be another woman forPapá, there will be no one butmi reina.
I lead Flora into the bedroom, our fingers entwined. I’m about to tell her to strip when she turns toward me and puts her hand on my chest.
“Daddy, I don’t want to move out. I want to stay. Not out of necessity because I don’t feel safe. Not because I haven’t found somewhere affordable yet. It just feels pointless. I’ll want you over at my place every night if I move out. I don’t want to be apart from you. I’ll only be hoping you invite me to stay here instead of sending me back to a lonely apartment.”
“I was planning to talk you out of leaving, so this makes it much easier. If I’d had to, I would’ve tied you to the bed and refused to release you until you agreed to stay.”
“Can you tie me to the bed anyway?”
She waggles her eyebrows at me, and I pounce. I fist my hand in her hair and make her head immobile. I devour her, nipping at her bottom lip before thrusting my tongue into her mouth. It twirls with hers as I unfasten her pants. After what happened today, I’m grateful she didn’t wear a skirt like she has. It was colder today than it has been, so she opted for them. I couldn’t argue with her since I didn’t want her to be miserable. I don’t want to imagine what might have happened if all any of those men had to do was flip a skirt out of the way.
“Such a good,chiquita.”
She hasn’t worn panties since we left Bogotá. I love sliding my hand into her cunt whenever I want. It’s why she’s worn dresses and skirts so much. But if she had, and any of those men guessed she didn’t wear panties…The thought makes me ill. I force myself to concentrate on the present rather than harp on what might’ve happened but didn’t.
“Only for you,Papí.”
I growl and pounce again. Hearing her call me that and Daddy fills me with immeasurable happiness. I never imagined it’d be my thing. Not even remotely. But I desire Flora’s trust as much as I do her love. It’s a sign she does. I pray I do nothing to ever lose her faith in me.
“Strip for me, little one.”
She obeys, her eyes averted. She dips her chin, but it’s not purely submissiveness. I can tell she doesn’t want me to see her smile. It’s fucking sexy as fuck.
When she’s naked, I point to the floor, and she kneels with her hands on her thighs. I’m certain she’s waiting for me to unfasten my pants or command her to, but I have other ideas. I go to the dresser drawer that has all our toys. I withdraw a blindfold and return to her with it. I fasten it over her eyes with a peck on the cheek.
“Don’t move, little one. I’m leaving the room, but I’ll be right back.”
“Sí, Papí.”
I leave the bedroom door open and hurry to the kitchen where I grab what I want. I check over my shoulder, wondering if she can hear what I’m doing and figure out what I’m getting. She’s attentive when I return, but I see her brow furrowed. I don’t think she’s guessed. I grab a few more things from the drawer and set up what I have on the bedside table. I return to Flora and help her to her feet before scooping her into my arms. She gasps and giggles as she wraps her arms around my neck. I steal a kiss before placing her on the bed.
“Is there anything you don’t want?”
“You stopping. Daddy, can you hurry a little, please?”
I grab the flogger and bring it down over her belly’s silky skin.
“Who decides?”
