Page 41 of King

“Go grab something to sleep with.” He patted her bottom, and she looked back at him with a wide, sleepy grin.

When she brought the stuffed Shadowridge Guardians bear over to the bed, he wasn’t surprised. He noticed how bright her eyes had gotten when she’d seen it. Fucking adorable.

“Are you going to come to bed with me?” she asked.

King pulled the covers up to her chin and leaned over, resting a hand on either side of her head. “I’m going to shower, and then I’ll get into bed with you. Here, suck on your paci, and I’ll be out in no time.”

As soon as he slid the paci between her lips, her eyes closed, and he had no doubt she’d be passed out by the time he returned. It had been a big day for his Little girl, and she was exhausted. So was he, but there was no way he’d be able to sleep until he did something about his painful erection, so a shower came first, and then he’d snuggle his girl all night long.

SEVENTEEN

ELLA

Ella drove through Shadowridge with what felt like a permanent smile. The early afternoon sun glinted off her windshield as she navigated from one stop to the next. Her route took her to the police station, the local hospital, and finally, the food bank, meticulously taking inventory for the food drive from the various collection points.

Her mind wandered as she scribbled notes on her clipboard at each stop while constantly thinking about the tender moments she’d shared with King over the past few weeks. His gentle guidance, his protective reminders, and the way his soft-spoken words made her feel so special. The thought of being cared for by him in every tiny detail filled her with a warm, secure happiness that she’d never known before. Shadowridge, with its close-knit community and laid-back charm, had become Ella’s home. Here she could be her most authentic self without the worry of ruining her parents’ reputation or becoming a laughingstock of their social circle.

As she drove along the streets, lined with old oak trees and pastel-painted storefronts, a pang of longing tugged at her heart. Despite loving Shadowridge, part of her still missed her parents.She’d texted them occasionally, but it wasn’t the same as hearing their voices or feeling their hugs.

With her lunch break approaching, Ella pulled over at a small park with a weathered picnic table and a few shady trees. Taking a deep breath, she reached for her phone and dialed her mom.

After a few rings, her mother’s warm, bright voice filled the line. “Ella! Oh, my darling, it’s so good to hear from you. We miss you terribly.”

“I miss you both,” she admitted softly. “I’m really happy here in Shadowridge, but sometimes I think I’m a little homesick.”

Her mother’s tone softened. “Your father and I are always here for you, sweetheart. Your father sends his love, too. Hold on, he’s telling me to put it on speaker.”

Just then, her father’s familiar baritone came on the line. “Hey, kiddo. I just wanted to tell you I love you and miss you. Remember, no matter where you are, you're always home with us.”

Hearing those words, Ella felt a bittersweet mix of comfort and longing. The warmth of their voices wrapped around her like a cozy blanket, even as she sat in a parking lot surrounded by the place she now considered home. She closed her eyes for a moment, letting the love of her parents soothe her homesick heart.

“Ella, are you okay, sweetheart? Remember, you can always move back if things get too overwhelming,” her mother said.

Ella hesitated, her thoughts swirling with both excitement and apprehension.

Finally, after a deep, steadying breath, she spoke. “I… I’ve met someone.”

Her mother’s tone brightened instantly. “Oh, really? Tell me about him, darling.”

Ella’s cheeks flushed a deep rose as she carefully explained, “His name is King. He’s a firefighter, and… he’s incrediblycaring.” She paused for a moment. “He takes care of me in ways I never thought possible.”

Her father’s voice, warm and full of pride, joined in. “A firefighter, you say? That’s wonderful, kiddo. We’re so happy for you.”

A brief silence stretched over the line before her mother ventured, “Ella, does King know about your… Little side?”

Ella gasped.

Had she heard that correctly? She’d never shared her Little side with anyone in New York.

Her mother laughed softly. “Don’t sound so surprised, honey. We’ve always known. We understood that you needed a way to escape and find comfort in your Little headspace, especially with all the stress of New York. We knew life here was hard on you. It’s hard on us sometimes, too. There were times we talked about moving away to start afresh where nobody knew us. We couldn’t be prouder of you for doing that. No matter what, we’ve always loved you, just the way you are.”

Tears welled in Ella’s eyes as she absorbed the sincerity of their words. “I… I really miss you both.”

Her father’s tone grew even softer. “We miss you every day, kiddo. Just knowing you're happy means the world to us. And we hope to meet King soon. To see the man who's taking such good care of our daughter.”

There was another pause, and then her mother added, “Remember, darling, you can always call us if you feel alone or need anything. We’re here, no matter what.”

Ella’s heart swelled as a painful lump formed in her throat. “I’ll keep in touch, Mom.”

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