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There was a beat of silence. “I need to be that for you. I like to be in control. I can be...hmm, not sure I should admit all this when I’m trying to convince you to give me a chance.”

“Please,” she said quietly. “I need to understand.”

What are you doing? You need to push him away. Protect him.

But if she did that, she’d never know what he wanted. What he saw in her that he desired. And it would kill her.

He let out a deep sigh. “All right. You know I was a Navy SEAL?”

“Yes,” she replied, wondering what that had to do with anything.

“When I left the Navy, adjusting to life back home, well, it wasn’t easy. I was restless without anything to do. Ranching didn’t hold much appeal. I was kind of aimless. And I felt like my life wasn’t mine to control. I didn’t want to go back into the Navy. And yet, I didn’t want to be a civilian either. I was in limbo. BDSM was the only thing that kept me grounded. Going to a club, partnering up with a submissive for a scene, that was when I felt most in control.

“Clint has known he was a Daddy Dom for a long time. I never thought I wanted that. But what I thought I wanted, well, it never satisfied me. It never brought this feeling of rightness. Not like I get when I’m with you. When I imagine taking on the role of Daddy for you.”

She sucked in a sharp breath. “Are you...are you sure that it’s what you want? What if you find it isn’t? Or I’m not what you thought I am? Or that we don’t match well? What if I’m not actually a Little?”

“This was what I was worried about.”

“What?”

“That too much time to think would just leave you with all these worries. Baby girl, I know it seems like we don’t know each other well. But I’ve been coming into the diner regularly for how many years? Our chemistry is off the charts. Our needs match. This feels right. I like to be in charge. I need to know that my woman is safe. That she’s taken care of. And I can make certain you are safe. If you trust in me.”

She thought about that for a while.

“It won’t always be easy for you,” he added. “I might give you a rule that you don’t agree with. But I will always have your needs foremost in my mind. If you give me your trust, I won’t ever abuse it.”

“We don’t know each other, but sometimes it also feels like I’ve known you forever. I...well, I’ve watched you every time you’ve been in the diner. I’ve seen how you are with your sister. I know you’re a good man. The question is whether I’m good enough for you.”

“All right, I’m going to stop you right there and tell you that’s the damn last time I better hear that you out of your mouth. Understand me?” His stern voice had her mouth going dry at the same time as her clit started to throb.

She was in so much trouble. Because there was absolutely no way she was good enough for him. And yet she wanted nothing more than to say yes to everything. It spoke to her in a way that nothing else had before.

“Yes, Sir,” she said without thinking.

“Very good. Sir is acceptable. But I’d like to hear you say Daddy as well. I want to be Sir in your bed and Daddy everywhere else.”

Her breath hitched. “W-what does that mean?”

“I like to dominate in the bedroom. There are certain things I enjoy. Before you start to stress that I’m talking about whips and blood play, I’m not. But I do like to use bondage. I’d like nothing more than to have you naked and spread-eagled face-down on my bed. Your wrists and ankles tied to the corners. Pillows under your hips to prop up your ass. I’d spank your butt until it was blushing. And then I’d spread your ass cheeks.”

Oh God. Oh God. Was this what dirty talk was? She wasn’t entirely sure. But it sure as hell felt dirty.

“I’d dab some lube on your asshole and push a finger deep inside, preparing the way for a plug. Would you like to be plugged, baby girl? Would you like to take me in your ass? Have you ever had anal sex?”

“I...I think you’re going to be horribly disappointed and I think we should just part ways now.” She hung up before she lost her nerve. Her heart was pounding and she felt ill. Not from his words, but from the need they had stirred to life.

Yes, she very much wanted what he’d described. She wanted it badly.

But she couldn’t have it.

The phone rang. She ignored it. It rang again. She switched it to silent. Last thing she needed was Max coming in to investigate what was going on.

Then it vibrated. She glanced at it and saw he’d sent a text message.

She opened it to see what it said.

Either answer your phone or I’m coming in to talk to you in person.