Page 111 of I'm Not Your Pet

“Go ahead, little one.”

Little one. I loved that damn nickname.

I shot to my feet so fast I made myself light-headed, gripping the lip of the table to catch my balance. I flashed him a grateful, nervous smile. Then I bolted across the room, skirt hiked high so I wouldn’t trip, and disappeared into the bathroom.

Roark’s middle name really should’ve been Effort.

And I’d vowed to myself that I’d do something to show him my appreciation. Not because it felt transactional—like my parents’ affection—but because it didn’t. Roark didn’t expect anything in return for his kindness.

When I caught my reflection, I barely recognized it. Not because of the dress—I’d come to terms with that earlier. And not because I felt pretty, which I still did, despite being flushed and sweaty, my hair an absolute mess.

No.

I didn’t recognize myself because I lookedhappy. The kinda happiness you see in commercials for allergy medication or in Hallmark movies. The carefree kind. The kind that meant white spots, and crescent eyes, and barking laughter. The kind that costs nothing at all.

It didn’t take long to strip my dress off, do a quick sponge bath, and try to fix my hair.This would be so much better if I had makeup,I thought, even though I had no idea how the hell to use it. But still, I was sure a little makeup would help. Maybe some of that black stuff girls put on their lashes? Or like—lipstick. Lipstick would definitely look nice. Pink, like my mom’s.

Hair done, I stepped back to inspect my new duds.

The lingerie I’d selected for tonight fit like a glove. It clung to my hips and thighs, highlighting the curves and dips of my body in a way I hoped was enticing. I’d never worn anything like this before today and it was liberating. Somehow even more liberating than wearing the dress and garter had been.

I was committing to this—andgod, did that feel good.

Like I finally found something that fit who I was.

Roark will like it.

I didn’t know how I knew that, but I did.

Roark liked anything that made me happy.

I patted myself down one last time, did a quick pit sniff to make sure I smelled good—fruity, hell yes—and then jumped when one of the flowers on the counter tried to snap at me. I’d hardly noticed them, I’d been so concerned with my attempts to look hot.

“Sorry, buddies.” They probably needed water. I filled the sink after pulling down its stopper—some things were apparently the same even if you were a galaxy away—grabbed the bouquet, and carefully laid the stems inside, all the while avoiding the snap, snap, snap of the flowers’ teeth.

With that finished, I was ready.

Nervous, but ready.

I was going to blow Roark’s mind.

The moment Huu-goh stepped out of the bathroom, time stuttered to a stop. Heat had been simmering between us all night as we’d laid our truths bare, so I wasn’t surprised the date would end in intimacy—however…

I was still shocked.

Awed, enamored.

Obsessed.

Smitten.

Speechless.

My little huu-man was a vision in pink. I’d thought he looked glorious in his dress but this was…wow. I was not worthy. Not even a little bit.

Huu-goh’s brown eyes shone with confidence, an expression I’d seen appearing more and more recently. He knew he looked good, and that thought made my cocks rapidly harden. I sank to my knees halfway to the bed, eyes trained on the swivel of his hips. I’d just finished cleaning up—and been about to wait for him there, but my legs suddenly no longer worked.

I’d heard of lingerie.

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