Page 16 of Controlling Natasha

She gasps.“No.Please don’t do that.I feel strange enough with everyone waiting on me.I’m not used to it.I’m a homeless ex-foster kid who comes from nothing.I feel super awkward sitting at your dining room table as if I’m someone while your staff serves me, Mr.Hoffman.”

I cringe inside.For one, I hate that she feels like that.For two, I wish she wouldn’t call me Mr.Hoffman.Sir is okay.I’d rather she called me Daddy.But it’s absurdly too soon to make that request.“I didn’t mean to make you feel uncomfortable, Little one.I don’t want to hear you speaking so poorly about yourself again,” I say sternly.“You’re a human being, a sweet, kind Little girl.It doesn’t matter what your background is.You deserve to be treated with the same respect as any other guest in my home.Albert and Edith would never look down on you like you obviously do yourself.Don’t let me hear you disparaging yourself again, understood?”

She licks those pretty lips and nods.

“Words, Little one.”

Her lips part, but I don’t miss her full-body shudder.“Yes, Sir.”

Oh yeah.That’s much better than Mr.Hoffman.She probably doesn’t know it, but she used a strong capital S on the word Sir that time.“Good girl.Now, breakfast in bed or the kitchen?”

“I don’t want to put anyone out.I’ll just wait for lunch.”

Inside, I growl like a lion.Outside, I shake my head and control my reaction.“No skipping meals, Little one.It’s not healthy.If you don’t want Edith to bring you a tray, I’ll have her prepare a plate for you in the kitchen.How much time do you need?”I’m so pushy that I’m beyond stunned when she doesn’t push back.

“I should take a quick shower.Is that okay?”

“Of course.Fifteen minutes?”

Her eyes twinkle a moment before she giggles.“What if I can make it in fourteen, or I’m late and it’s sixteen?”

I slowly smile.“Sassy girl.”

“Controlling man.”

Oh, I love this.I want to spar with her.I want to fast forward to when she’s fully mine and understands that she’s Little.I want to fast forward to a time when I have her total submission and obedience.

I’ll still enjoy her sassy side, but there will come a day when that naughty Little girl will get her bottom spanked for talking back to her Daddy.

I force myself to release her arm and rise to my feet.“I’ll see you downstairs then.”

She grins, and I can see another quip coming.“I’ll need seventeen minutes if I’m going to put on mascara.”

I chuckle.“You don’t need mascara or any other makeup, Little one.You look perfect without it.”

She swallows.I think my compliment makes her uncomfortable.I turn and hurry from the room, closing the door behind me.

When I’m in the hall, I lean against the door for a moment, catching my breath.I feel alive for the first time in years.I’m also invigorated.I will woo this woman into realizing she’s my Little girl.I just need time.And I need to back off before she runs away from me.

I can do this.

Give her space and time.She needs to trust me before I push her any further.I’ve tempted her several times.Made her think.Made her want.Now she needs time to process.

Chapter5

One month later…

Natasha

I slide into my favorite booth across from my friend Simone in the campus coffee shop and drop my backpack onto the seat next to me.I told Mr.Hoffman I would be studying this afternoon, but that’s not in my plans.I’m here to pick Simone’s brain.

“New backpack?”she teases, nodding toward my bag.

I sigh.“Yeah.”

“It suits you.”She’s grinning.“That dress is cute, too.”Now her eyes are dancing.“It looks expensive.”

“Stop it.”I give her a dismissive wave, but it’s impossible not to laugh.I’ve known Simone since my freshman year.We didn’t really start hanging out as much as we do now until this semester.Until I moved in with Mr.Hoffman.Until I had more time to hang out with anyone.

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