Total pages in book: 143
Estimated words: 138844 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 694(@200wpm)___ 555(@250wpm)___ 463(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 138844 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 694(@200wpm)___ 555(@250wpm)___ 463(@300wpm)
Fuck, I didn’t feel good at all. The muscles in my face felt so heavy that I couldn’t fake a simple smile. What was going on? Why did it feel like emotions were threatening to surface? I was happy today. I’d been energetic since we’d parked the car. It’d been so good to see all my friends—and to see Cameron relaxing with Daddy on the porch. And the happiness in Uncle Lucian’s eyes.
“Pet, are you okay?” Macklin asked.
I swallowed and shrugged. “I don’t know.” Movement caught my eye, and I looked over to where Greer descended on Corey. Maybe for waterboarding, maybe for whatever else he’d found in those dumb eggs. Kit actually ran for it, which made me glance over at Colt, who was talking to River.
“…don’t know, I think I could pull it off,” he was saying, while stroking his fingers over his beard. “The mustache is comin’ back, River. I’m tellin’ you.”
God.
“Colt!” Mr. West exclaimed.
“What?” Colt spun around. “Don’t you think I’d look good in just a mustache?”
Mr. West offered an incredulous look in return before he gestured toward the forest.
Colt must’ve noticed Kit. “Oh hell.” So Colt took off too. Bunny ears and all.
See, I should find that hilarious. I should be rooting for Kit and possibly even trying to make a run for it myself. Instead, I stood rooted in place while all the subs and Doms around me got started on their note activities. Reese yelled that the watersports room was open for business, Master Walker let everyone know that he had a collection of paddles and whips waiting on their porch, and Nathan said that we had some kink furniture on its way out. Volunteers were bringing it to the deck.
“All right, let’s get you to your Daddies, sweetie.” Macklin put his arm around me and nudged me toward our cabin. “You’ve clearly reached your limit.”
I scratched my nose. “It’s Daddy and Uncle Lucian, you know.”
“Uncle or not, you’ve turned him into a total Daddy.”
No way. Uncle Lucian wasn’t a Daddy at all.
Except… I mean, he was sweet and patient and nurturing and sometimes funny and playful—and did I mention patient?
“I’m his chipmunk,” I said.
Macklin tilted his head at me.
“It’s because I stuff my face.” I made a bubble face to demonstrate.
It made him chuckle. “Got it.”
As we approached the porch, Uncle Lucian seemed to be getting ready to come our way.
He put his hands on his hips and smiled. “You ready to play, darling? I thought we could start with the tickling to get that out of the way.”
“I propose pain.” Macklin threw his two stupid cents in. “He might need an outlet.”
Well…
Lucian became concerned, and he stepped off the porch. “Is something wrong, Noa?”
I shrugged. “I dunno. I feel a little dead.”
The worry wrinkle in his forehead deepened, and he took over when Macklin let go and stepped back. Uncle Lucian thanked him for bringing me over, and then he ushered me to the sofa. Cam was in the process of putting up the umbrella, and Daddy was fanning out more blankets.
“Come sit with Daddy, freckles.”
“I think he needs a break,” Lucian murmured. “How about I get the you-know-what from the car?”
“Sounds good.” Daddy nodded.
“Do you need help, Master?” Cameron asked. “I hid the thing in the trunk after I gave back Corey’s car key.”
What thing?
I shuffled over to Daddy and sat next to him, and Uncle Lucian decided he would go on his own.
“You can pour us lemonade and bring out some fruit, pet.” Oh, Lucian gave Cameron an order—he liked that!
Cameron smiled. “Of course, Master. Right away.”
Then it was just Daddy and me left on the porch, and he threw a blanket around me and hugged me close. It was actually nice with the umbrella. The spring sun was sort of brutal, even though there was still a nip in the air.
“It’s been a long week,” Daddy said quietly. “You’ve had a lot on your shoulders.”
I shrugged a little again and rested my head on his chest. To be honest, I couldn’t explain it. This happened every now and then, and not only this week. Sometimes, I simply hit a wall, and I told Daddy about that feeling, how it was a flip of a switch…? And that was all I had. One second, I felt great. I loved seeing my friends; I loved being around people. I thrived in high-energy environments. But then I began spinning. I grew frustrated and couldn’t think straight. My brain became a frazzled place of zigzaggy, unfinished thoughts. All jumbled. And then, nothing. I died mentally.
“Do you think something is wrong with me, Daddy?” I asked in a small voice.
“No, baby. There’s nothing wrong with you. There’s something wrong with your environment.” He dipped down and hooked a finger under my chin, making me lock eyes. “You get like this when things prove to be too much for you. You’re full steam ahead and don’t see the warning signs telling you to slow down.”