Total pages in book: 215
Estimated words: 217988 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1090(@200wpm)___ 872(@250wpm)___ 727(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 217988 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1090(@200wpm)___ 872(@250wpm)___ 727(@300wpm)
To his surprise, she gave him a small smile. “Me too.”
“And I meant it, if you need anything, I’m just a call away.”
“Thanks.”
5
Brody walked into his apartment later that evening.
He’d gone back to work after talking to Autumn. But he hadn’t been able to get much done. He couldn’t stop thinking about her.
He knew she was holding something back. He’d debated telling Ink, but he wasn’t going to let anyone pressure her into telling the whole truth. Not that he thought that Ink would harm her. No, Ink would probably see what Brody had.
Someone vulnerable, sweet, and scared.
A woman on her own, without protection.
A Little without a Daddy.
Because he was pretty sure that’s what she was. Still, he could be wrong. It wasn’t like he had a Little radar.
Except maybe being a Middle gave him some insight. He let out a breath. He hoped she called. Perhaps he should have asked her for her number. But he didn’t want to scare her by being too pushy. And he already had it anyway, that sort of information wasn’t hard for him to find. Not that she needed to know that.
His phone buzzed as he moved into his tiny galley kitchen. He drew it out of his pocket, surprised to see it was an unknown number. Opening the message, he nearly dropped his phone as he realized who had texted him.
Autumn: Sorry for freaking out on you today. You probably think I’m a basket case.
He frowned and leaned against the counter, thinking about what to say. He didn’t like her calling herself a basket case. As far as he could tell, she was coping really well.
She wasn’t jumping at every sound. She was smiling and joking. Sure, she’d had a panic attack, but he thought she was amazing.
Maybe she was coping almost too well? It was hard to judge. And who was he to decide the way someone should react to trauma? Everyone dealt with things in different ways.
Still, calling herself a basket case wasn’t cool. He wasn’t exactly normal himself. What was wrong with having some issues?
He quickly texted back.
Brody: I think you’re amazing. You didn’t freak out and you’re not a basket case.
There was no reply.
Crap. He’d gone too far.
“You idiot. You’re going to scare her off with your neediness.” This was an odd feeling for him. Even though he was attracted to women, he’d only ever been with men. He’d never even been in a proper relationship.
Urgh, he sounded like such a loser.
But he found interacting with people in real life so difficult. It was easier to go online and pretend the rest of the world didn’t exist.
Of course, he’d never tried being in a relationship with a Dom before. Maybe that was what was missing.
But he was a bit scared to try.
Finally, a message came through.
Autumn: I’m really not. But thanks, that’s the nicest thing anyone has said to me in ages.
Brody: You’re amazing. I’ll say it as often as you need to hear it.
Autumn: Jeez, now I’m blushing. You’re such a sweetie.
Now, he was the one blushing.
Autumn: Is your offer still there?
Um. What offer? To take Freddy Fox’s place against her boobs? Shoot, he hadn’t said that out loud, had he?
Autumn: To be my friend? I get it if you don’t want to. I’m not exactly an easy person to be around. More panic attacks where those came from!
Brody: Autumn . . .
Autumn: Sorry, I was text rambling, wasn’t I?
Brody: Little bit. I’d love to be your friend.
More waiting. Had he said something wrong?
Autumn: I’d really like that too. Are you going to be online later?
Brody: Just getting something to eat then I’ll be there.
Autumn: See you there!
He wanted to ask her if she’d eaten. But he didn’t want to risk pushing her away.
Easy does it.
But perhaps as they grew closer, he could ask those things. Could take care of her. He’d never had the urge to look after another person before.
“Chill, man. You just met her. Last thing you want is to scare her away.” He quickly made himself a sandwich, then he headed to his gaming room, which was really just his spare bedroom. But it wasn’t like anyone came to stay.
The Fox stepped out of the bedroom as Brody walked into the room where he kept all his gaming equipment. Gaming wasn’t something he understood. He liked to kill in real life rather than online. Should he be worried about his Bunny playing?
No, he rather liked that she had a ruthless side. When he heard her swearing and cheering as she slaughtered the creatures in the game, it brought him joy.
Ahh, yes, there was nothing like spending quality time with his Bunny. Even if she didn’t know it.
What had started with him keeping an eye on her had slowly become an infatuation until he’d been all out stalking her.