“Can I introduce her to everyone, Papa?” Hollister looked over her shoulder at Sullivan.
Sullivan studied the two girls who were now holding hands like they’d been friends forever. “Go on. But you’ve only got about ten minutes before we need to leave to meet the other Littles at the playground before dinner.”
“Yes, Papa. Can Lily come with us?” Hollister asked as both girls turned to look at Sailor.
“We’ll see,” he said, refusing to commit himself to anything until he saw how comfortable Lily was with Hollister. And how well behaved she stayed while meeting the animals.
CHAPTER 11
“All right girls, time to go,” Sailor said as he approached the stall where they were petting a baby cow.
“But Papa,” Lily protested in a voice that sounded very close to whining even to her own ears. “Hollister hasn’t introduced me to all the animals.”
She froze when Sailor narrowed his eyes and frowned just a little. He looked fierce and not very happy with her.
“But maybe I can come back and meet the rest of them,” she said quickly as she and Hollister stood up and left the stall. The other Little carefully secured the half-door before sidling away. Did she know something that Lily didn’t?
She could not believe how Little she felt just spending the few minutes with Hollister going around and meeting all the animals. She got to pet the mama goat and pick up and hug the babies before moving on to the chickens—which were rather standoffish—and bunnies and kitties, finally ending with the cow and her baby.
“If you don’t want to go to the playground, all you have to do is say so, and we can return to the apartment for a talk about your rules, and a demonstration of the punishment you’ll earn for breaking them.”
Lily slid her hands around to cover her bottom as she shook her head. “That’s okay, Papa. I think I’d much rather go to the playground and meet the other Littles, if you please.”
She could tell Sailor was fighting back a grin as he nodded and held out a hand. “Very well, then. I suppose we can do that. But next time, you won’t get off so easily for talking back and whining.”
“Yes, Papa,” Lily said as she approached.
Reaching out for his hand, she noticed how dirty hers was. “I need to wash my hands,” she whispered.
Gorilla took her hand in his and started walking. “It will wait until just before dinner. I have a feeling if you wash them now, we’ll just have to wash them again after we visit the playground.”
Sullivan and Hollister caught up with them a few minutes later, and the girls linked their hands and chattered all the way to the playground. They were apparently late, as there were already five girls huddled in the center of the fenced-off playground.
It wasn’t until they were inside the designated area that both Sailor and Sullivan released the hands they held. With their hands still connected, the girls skipped to where the others were giggling.
Lily did not pay attention to the men sitting at a picnic table in the corner. Apparently several of the Daddies were present to keep an eye on the girls.
When Hollister forced her way into the circle, dragging Lily with her, she suddenly felt shy. While she had known she preferred playing at a younger age, she’d never indulged in the lifestyle. To be faced with six women who were all living the life she secretly wanted had her blood turning green with envy.
“Everyone, this is Lily. She’s Sailor’s new mate. Lily, this is Shaw, Talia, Irish, Poppy, and Emory,” Hollister said, pointing to each woman as she said her name.
The women gave her a big smile and waved as Hollister pointed at them.
“Welcome to Bratburg,” they said in unison, which sent all seven girls into giggles.
When she could speak again, Lily replied, “Thank you.”
“Girls, if you want to play, you’d best get to it. You’ve got about thirty minutes until dinnertime,” one of the men she had yet to meet called.
“Follow the leader or tag?” Talia asked.
“Follow the leader,” three girls answered while others said, “Tag.”
The women then all turned to her for the tie-breaking vote.
Taking a deep breath, Lily said softly, “Follow the leader.”
“High or low?” Talia asked as the six women stuck one fisted hand into the center of the larger circle they’d formed.
