“It’s time for a nap, baby girl,” he told her.
“Nuh-uh,” she said.
“Yes,” he said firmly. “You keep yawning.”
“I’m fine, Daddy,” she said as she poured another cup of tea. “Would you like some more tea? You know, maybe I just need a coffee. An iced coffee. I can go make us some.”
She jumped to her feet.
“No, the last thing you need is caffeine,” he told her. “It’s been a big day for you. You can take a short nap. Then have a quiet night, dinner, and bed.”
“Daddy, I don’t need a nap. Miss Melanie will miss me.”
“She can nap with you,” he told her. “She looks tired.”
“Poor Miss Melanie,” she said. “She doesn’t look tired. That wasn’t very nice, Daddy. Maybe you should apologize.”
He simply raised an eyebrow. Apologize? To a doll?
She was dreaming.
She sighed and he moved around the room, pulling the drapes. However, when he turned back she was still playing.
“Baby girl,” he said sternly. “Come here.”
“Nope, Daddy.”
Oh, she was pushing him, was she?
“Angie. Here. Now.”
He sat on the side of the bed and watched as she stood with a loud sigh.
Part of him was rejoicing. Not only had she let her Little out fully around him. But she also felt safe enough to push at him. To see where the boundaries were.
Which made him want to smile.
It was odd for him. He was happy with North. But he wasn’t soft and cuddly. He was hard edges and dynamite.
Which made Jared feel alive. It gave him a buzz.
She gave him something else. A soft place to feel content.
Both were needed.
And he would do whatever it took to keep them safe.
Her feet dragged as she moved toward him. It was adorable. But he knew he couldn’t go soft on her. She needed to see what he’d do if she was defiant and sassy while in Little headspace.
He grasped hold of her hips and drew her between his legs. She wasn’t being too naughty so he was going to be firm but not harsh.
“Little girl, when Daddy says something he expects you to obey.”
Angie’s lower lip dropped on a pout. “But I don’t need a nap.”
“Daddy decides what you need and don’t need. What you have to do is listen to Daddy and obey him. Understand? Or Daddy will need to get stricter.”
She sighed. Long and loud. “But what if Daddy is wrong?”
