Jack’s giggling, his hair bouncing as he stacks blocks into a wobbly tower.
“You should’ve seen your face when Travis walked in,” Jack says, his voice teasing. “All defiant, thenpoof… red as a strawberry!”
I laugh, nudging his shoulder.
“Oh, shut up. You’d be the same if Logan caught you breaking rules.” I pause, picking at a loose thread on my romper, the memory of Travis’s firm hand and that wooden spoon flashing through me. “But… yeah, that spanking. It was intense. Travis knows what he’s doing.”
Jack’s eyes sparkle, and he leans closer, lowering his voice like we’re sharing a secret. “He’s got that Daddy vibe, doesn’t he? Like, no nonsense, but you know he’s got your back. Logan’s the same. It’s like… the stress just melts away, right? Like you can let go and justbe.”
I nod, hugging Bean tighter.
“Exactly. It’s like, work was a mess today—those files I found, the weird stuff with Knox & Rain—it had me all twisted up. But then Travis… he just took control, and for a few minutes, I didn’t have to think. Just feel.” My cheeks flush, and I giggle, the sound bubbling up unbidden. “He’sdefinitelygot the Daddy thing down.”
Jack grins, popping a gummy bear into his mouth from a bowl we’re sharing. “So, is it a thing? Like, long-term? Forever Daddy material?”
The question hits like a splash of cold water, and I freeze, my fingers stilling on Bean’s warm fur. Travis’s face flashes in my mind—his sharp jaw, those piercing eyes, the way he pulled back from our almost-kiss last night.
“I… don’t know,” I say, my voice softer. “It’s complicated. He’s complex, Jack. I can’t say more than that. But he’s not… he’s not what I expected. He’s protecting me, or trying to, but there’s so much I don’t know. About him, about my firm, about all of it. I really can’t say much more. I don’t want to think about forever right now. I just want to… be here.”
Jack nods, his expression softening.
“Fair,” Jack smiles, understandingly. “You’ve got enough on your plate. Let’s just have fun, then. No big thoughts, just Little time.”
I smile, grateful for his understanding, and we dive back into our play.
The den’s our sanctuary, stuffed with plushies and draped with a blanket roof, and it feels like the safest place in the world. We start plotting a prank, giggling like kids as we whisper.
“Okay,” I say, glancing at the ball pit across the room. “We grab a bunch of those plastic balls, stuff them into a water balloon, and lob it at the Daddies. Total chaos, right?”
Jack claps his hands, his eyes wide.
“Yes! They’ll never see it coming!” Jack squeals in delight. “We’ll need a big balloon, though, to hold all the balls. And water, so it pops and makes a mess!”
We’re practically vibrating with excitement, crawling out of the den to scout the ball pit. I grab a handful of colorful plastic balls, their smooth surfaces cool against my palms, and Jack sneaks to the craft table for a water balloon.
We’re whispering, stifling giggles, when heavy footsteps interrupt us.
I look up, and there’s Travis, standing at the edge of our den with Logan, both of them towering over us with amused but firm expressions.
“Time to go, Little,” Travis says, his voice that deep, Daddy growl that makes my stomach flip. “You’ve had your fun.”
I pout, crossing my arms, the water balloon plan forgotten. “Already? But we’re in the middle of something!”
Logan chuckles, his beard twitching. “You heard him, Jack. Home time. You two can build another den another day.”
Jack mirrors my pout, but Travis’s eyes lock on mine, unyielding.
“Don’t make me ask twice, Little One,” Travis says. “You know what happens when you push me.”
My cheeks burn, the memory of the spanking still fresh, and I nod, grabbing Bean and my backpack.
“Fine,” I mutter, but there’s a spark of warmth in my chest at his tone. He’s bossy, but there’s care there too, and it’s messing with my head.
Travis softens, just a fraction, and steps closer, his hand brushing my shoulder.
“We’ll come back to The Sugar Spoon soon, I promise,” Travis says. “You did good today, Little. Let’s get you home.”
I smile despite myself, the promise of coming back to this safe, Little-friendly space easing my disappointment. Jack hugs me, whispering, “Text me later,” and I nod, following Travis out of the playroom, the café’s warmth lingering as we step into the cool city night…
