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“Uh, yeah. This is Midwest Street! Did you know it’s designed to look like any generic little town in the United States? They can easily swap out the buildings’ façades to dress it up a little.”

“I had zero doubt you knew that. I bet you could tell me⁠—”

“And over here, folks, is a pretty famous spot that I bet some of you will recognize. Look at that gazebo. Does it seem familiar?” a tour guide’s voice called out over a tinny PA system.

The speakers were attached to the long tram he was driving. The vehicle became visible as he turned a corner near a faux church and headed straight toward Damon and Tessa.

Tessa was a little disappointed. She was glad those people were getting a tour. But as soon as they recognized Damon Drake they’d flock around him! She wasn’t in the mood to share.

That goes for Lissa back there, too, huh? You really don’t want to share with her.

Apparently, Damon wasn’t in the mood for company either, because he said, “Follow me,” as he grabbed her hand and whisked her toward a row of buildings.

They went into one that said NEWSPAPER OFFICE on the window.

“The door is just unlocked?” she asked.

“Yeah. These aren’t real buildings, you know. The dimensions are all wonky. Some of them can be used for interior shots, but most of that is done on a sound stage. But there’s nothing in here to steal. So, they’re pretty much all unlocked.”

He looked out the window and then added, “I think we got out of there before anyone recognized me.” He smiled back at her. “Sometimes I come out and talk to the tour groups. Take pics with them and sign autographs and all that. I’m not trying to be stuck-up.”

Tessa smiled back in a way that she hoped conveyed that she understood—and wanted to be alone with him, too.

In fact, she wanted nothing more than to be alone with him in ways that scared her, because she knew it couldn’t be and…

Trying to redirect her mind, she said, “Hey, look. A staircase. I wonder where it leads⁠—”

“Don’t go up that!”

The warning fell on deaf ears and Tessa hurried up the wooden set of steps. She didn’t know what her plan was when she reached the top. Perhaps just see where they went? Anything to redirect her focus from how hard she was falling for Damon Drake.

And how much she wanted him.

Absolutely, positively craved him.

The sound of the thin lumber snapping reached her ears before she actually felt the stairs give way. But then they buckled beneath her feet and she started falling.

Thankfully, Damon was there to catch her.

She plopped right into his arms, as if she were a perfect fit for them.

Tessa couldn’t help herself anymore. The urge was too strong, and she’d resisted it for too long.

Her lips smashed against his. Maybe Littles weren’t supposed to make the first move on Daddies. Maybe she was being too forward.

But maybe she didn’t care about either of those things.

Damon didn’t seem to care, either. He returned the kiss with a frenzy that told her he was just as hungry as she was.

Their lips were locked in an intense fury that took her breath away. She wasn’t sure how long it was before they came up for air, but the reprieve didn’t last long. He was leading now, and he scooped her into his arms, kissed her again, and carried her deeper into the strange building. There wasn’t too far for them to go, as just as he’d mentioned earlier, the proportions were far from accurate. It looked right on the outside, but inside it was shallow and unfinished.

That was just fine. They didn’t need much room.

“Honey, it won’t be very comfortable,” Damon said in a low and breathy tone before he started kissing her neck.

“I… just… need you,” she replied.

Words failed her after that, but it didn’t matter. Damon was in charge now. He didn’t need any direction.