Page 9 of King

“This is Remi,” King added, gesturing toward her.

Ella smiled. “Hi, it’s nice to meet you.”

Remi’s eyes lit up. “It’s nice to meet you, too! I love your dress!”

Ella flushed slightly, glancing down at herself. She was surprised this woman, who had a gothic style, would like her pink dress. “Oh! Thank you.”

King kept guiding her through the crowd, introducing her to Storm, Doc, Steele, Faust, and a handful of others. Most of them had women by their sides. Women who, Ella realized, all had asimilar style as her. Soft fabrics, ruffles, bright colors. Cute rather than sexy.

She took in the scene around her, heart thumping as she noticed something else.

Off to the side, two women sat cross-legged on the pavement, completely engrossed in decorating the cement with pastel sidewalk chalk. Not far from them, another pair giggled as they climbed on a small playground structure, kicking their feet excitedly as they whooshed down the slide.

And then, a few yards away, one woman twirled in a fluffy tutu, blowing bubbles into the evening air.

Ella blinked, trying to make sense of it all. They were clearly adults.

Her mind whirled, trying to piece together what she was seeing. These women wereplaying, completely at ease, as if this were the most normal thing in the world.

A tiny thought wiggled into her mind, one she instantly dismissed as ridiculous.

Are they… Little?

She had read about it before. Littles, Caregivers,Daddy Doms. But that was fiction.

It wasn’t real. Right?

You’re being silly.

But she was Little, so why would it be silly for these other women to be as well?

As her eyes darted back to the couples she had met, she noticed another pattern. The way the men spoke to their women was soft but firm. The way the men’s hands rested on the small of their women’s backs, protective and steady. The waythe women leaned into them, trusting, looking at them like they wanted them to lead.

Her gaze flicked to King, seeking reassurance. As if he could sense her uncertainty, he looked down at her and gave a small,gentlesmile.

Soon, the scent of grilled meat filled the air, and King lifted his chin toward the serving table.

“Let’s get you something to eat.”

Ella followed, still processing everything. As they reached the food, King grabbed a plate and looked at her expectantly.

“What do you want?”

Ella blinked up at him. “Oh, um… I can get it.”

King raised a brow. “I know youcan.I’m asking what youwant.”

Her cheeks warmed as she hesitated. “Maybe… a burger?”

He chose a perfectly grilled patty and placed it on an open bun. “What else?”

“…Macaroni and cheese?”

A smirk. “Figured.” He scooped a generous portion onto her plate. “Anything else?”

She chewed her lip, sneaking a glance at the juice boxes off to the side.

King followed her gaze, then, without pausing, grabbed one and set it on her plate.

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