Page 17 of Lesson In Honesty
Oh crap, he wanted her to think now? She dropped her eyes to the reindeer, wishing the cute stuffie could talk for her. Sometimes, when confrontation reared its ugly head, selective mutism took over, rendering her speechless even though there were words on the tip of her tongue.
A trait she’d learned thanks to Wyatt.
Sliding a bowl of cereal in front of her, Liam took a seat, leaning back in a casual pose. “This isn’t something you’ve chosen on a whim, Sierra. I don’t think it’s even what you’ve picked up from Alicia and Caera. The way you responded to me calling you babygirl, the way your face lit up when you called me Daddy… you need it.”
“I…” He wasn’t wrong. “I’m sorry. I know you don’t want a Little.”
“Look at me. Atme, Sierra,” he commanded, steel in his tone.
When she hesitantly obeyed, afraid she’d see the beginning of the end on his face, she wasn’t surprised by the anger darkening his gray eyes to stormy pools.
“I don’t care if you want to be a Little or a puppy, or tied up in the dungeon to try being a pinata for the night. We might have an issue if you decide to give being a Domme a shot,” he mused, “but everyone has needs. The only thing I want is you, Sierra. Daddying is going to be a shock, but I figure I’ve got some of the best to learn from, if you’re willing to be patient with me.”
“I don’t want this to come between us,” she mumbled.
“Why would it?”
“What if I’m like Lisha?”
Liam frowned. “Lisha? You mean, all Little all the time?”
Sierra nodded, emotion strangling her as she thought of her best friend.
“Come here, minx.” He patted his knee, then held his arms wide for her. They wrapped around her when she slipped off her chair, stumbled, and damn near crawled onto his lap. “Wyatt damaged you, we both know that. His actions crammed so many insecurities into your head, it’s a fucking miracle you ever gave me a chance.” Rocking her gently, he told her, “I’m not going to leave you.”
“You didn’t want a Little.”
“It doesn’t matter. I wantyou. I loveyou.” Nuzzling the side of her face, he linked his fingers through hers. “The psoriasis, the beard, don’t bother me. They’re part of you, just like this is, so why would I suddenly stop loving you because something you’ve hidden needs to surface?”
“I’d die,” she whispered.
“Huh?”
“If you stopped loving me, I’d die. There’s nothing important keeping me here, nothing but you, and if that changed…” She trailed off, surprised she’d let that much slip out.
“Fuck. No, you don’t ever think like that, Sierra. Do you trust me when I say what I feel is tantamount to breathing? The emotions I have for you—love, pride, the sheer joy ofknowing you’re mine—they’re not justinmy heart, minx; they’re ingrained in it, inked and branded. Should anything ever happen where I’m not with you, you don’t give up. Live, and keep on living like I’m right here with you.”
God, how had they taken such a morbid turn? From Daddies and Littles to death and dying. There’d been too much of the latter for her to think about more; worse, to contemplate any circumstances which might take Liam from her side.
“I don’t… I can’t talk about this,” she told him honestly. “I don’t like it.”
“Me neither. So let’s agree that you and me are strong in this relationship; there’ll be no more talk of leaving or dying.” Liam took a long, slow breath and exhaled it in the same fashion. “I have to spend time in the bar today. Check inventory, make sure everything’s working before we open. Mundane stuff.”
Sierra nodded, knowing the routine well. “It’s okay. I’ve got some projects to keep me busy.” She reached out to stroke the reindeer with a fingertip. “There’s always another stuffie to fix.”
“Not today.” Liam reached out too, but not for the stuffie. He hooked the rim of the bowl and pulled it over, dunking the spoon and lifting it laden with milk and sugared hoops. “Violet volunteered to show you through the Nursery. Yes, I know you dislike doing anything with strangers,” he said patiently before she spluttered a protest, “but it’ll be good for you to spend time with new people and make another friend. It’ll give you a chance to be… yourself, without the pressure of me being there.”
When she turned her head to stare at him, mouth open in horror, he shoved a spoonful of cereal in it. It was either chew or choke, so she chose the first, holding her hand up to indicate she wanted to speak, but he just carried right on.
“Take some time, Sierra. Don’t worry about me or what I think. Go play like you’re five years old again, enjoy whatever playground Evander’s built for Littles like you and Callie, andexplore yourself.” He licked a drop of milk from her lower lip, turning it into a lush kiss as she swallowed. “Find who you are, babygirl, and I’ll follow your lead.”
Her core clenched, more needy over the past twenty-four hours than it had been in months. “I don’t need a babysitter. I’d rather look around with you.”
When he held another spoonful to her mouth, she scowled but accepted it before he forced her to eat. The hoops were getting soggy, losing their crunch as she chewed methodically.
“I know. But I’m going to be busy, and I dislike the idea of you being here alone so soon. A few hours won’t harm anything. Violet will look after you, make sure you don’t get into trouble, until I finish up.” He kissed the tip of her nose and handed her the spoon when the coffeemaker signaled it was done. “Eat your breakfast and I’ll get you some pain meds for that headache.”
She grumbled as he lifted her off his lap, depositing her on his chair. Sulking just a bit, she mechanically ate the soggy cereal while Liam made his coffee. The sight of his naked back—broad shoulders, strong ribcage, beautiful waist—and all those muscles subtly shifting beneath his skin as he reached for a mug in the cabinet above the coffeemaker sure as hell distracted her from the hangover.