Page 71 of Just A Little Magic

Plus one

Anders

That’s not a thing.

Owen

We can let it be a thing.

“You’re sure about this? Everyone will just be happy to see you. They aren’t going to care if you’re little or big.” Barrett’s big hand rubbed soothing circles on my back.

The playroom was the best way to start and end the day. After my conversation with Levi, I’d taken his advice and allowed myself to be all in on this little experiment. Ialmost hated to admit to myself how damned well it was going.

The other day, I woke up grumpy and out of sorts. Barrett made me a bottle, led me by the hand to the playroom, pulled me onto his lap, and shoved the bottle in my mouth. Well, maybe notshovedshoved, but close enough.

Since then, we’d spent time every morning and most evenings in the big playroom off the kitchen in the super comfy, oversized rocking recliners I’d moved heaven and earth to find when I decorated his place a few years ago. Elizabeth always jumped onto my lap and made it perfect.

We were due at Jakob and Reed’s within the hour, and I was nervous. Anders and Rory were newish friends, but they’d never been anything but kind and understanding. I’d known Jakob, Reed, and Gabe for years.

I knew my nerves didn’t make sense, but fear rarely did. Bear was surprised when I told him I’d suggested making tonight a playdate. I’d told him I’d spoken with Levi, but he didn’t press for details, and I offered none. Given his annoyance with his dad, I didn’t think telling him about his visit was worth it.

“It’s good. I’m nervous, but I think I’ve made it so scary that the fear of doing it is stronger than the fear of actually doing it.” I paused when I saw Bear’s confusion and thought about what I’d said. “Yeah, I don’t know what I just said either.”

“Don’t worry about it. I understood enough. Do you want to change here or over there?” Barrett’s soothing voice was just the balm I needed.

“Change here, I think.” With a self-deprecating laugh, I added, “There’s less chance of me changing my mind.”

“You can always change your mind. Always.”

“All right, Bear, it’s not that serious.”

With a growl, he gnawed on my neck, which became kisses.When he traced along my neck, there was no stopping the moan. His mouth migrated to my jawline, where he feathered kisses that sent shivers through me. When his teeth gently pulled on my earlobe, another wave shook my body. “What are you doin’ there?”

“Kissing you,” he murmured against my heated skin before he drew back and added, “Do you want me to stop?”

“No, I like it. This in-between big and little space is nice.” I gasped in a breath when he sucked along my collarbone. “I’ve never had it.”

I tried to keep thoughts in my head, but they kept floating out like balloons on a current. After a while, I didn’t even bother to try. As much as I loved the feel of his mouth on my skin, I wanted to taste him too.

Bear’s mind-reading skills had improved. When he captured my mouth, want exploded inside me. His tongue plunged into my mouth, and I gladly received him. His exploration sent tingles down my spine, and suddenly, whatever nerves I felt about tonight vanished.

Nothing that brought me to a place where I felt this good had any potential for bad. Bear was my Da. He’d said he’d take care of me, and he always had. We’d been angry with each other and disagreed, but he’d never done anything to lessen my trust in him.

What exactly was I scared would happen?

“Bear, it’s okay with you if we’re a little late, right?” I asked, even as I moved off his lap. His only response was a wicked grin. “I’ll take that as a yes.”

I dragged him through the house. There was a quick detour to tell Elizabeth she needed to stay downstairs, which had her doing an about-face and heading to the catio instead of upstairs with us. Once we arrived, I went straight to the bathroom with Barrett in tow. Without giving him a chance to say a word, Ipulled his T-shirt off and began working the button and zipper of his pants the second we passed the threshold.

“Hold on a sec, babe.”

Barrett pulled away from me long enough to get the water started before he returned and retook possession of my mouth. He smiled against my lips and said, “You’re wearing too many clothes.”

With one more firm kiss, he whipped my T-shirt off and pushed down my shorts. In a blink, I was naked, but he wasn’t, and that was a tragedy.

“Let me return the favor, Bear.” I shimmied his jeans off. “Commando! Bear, what is going on here?”

I tsked-tsked and then traced the prominent vein that snaked his length. His hissed breath was music to my years. Levi’s advice had been spot on. Once I decided to jump into the deep end, I only wanted to continue until I reached the bottom. Every day, I felt a little bolder. A little more adventurous. A week ago, I would have never dragged him upstairs for what I hoped was a quickie in the shower before dinner.

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