Page 239 of Double Daddies
Insects hummed happily around the large planters of flowers running along the underneath of the porch. Small solar lights were embedded in each pot, and more lined the gravel pathways leading here, there, and everywhere.
All the buildings were the same, she noted, gawking a little. Built in the same rustic style as log cabins, unassuming and not at all striking, as though they were designed to slot right into the forest with no one the wiser.
This section of the resort was relatively quiet, although the sounds of noisy construction equipment echoed and drifted along with voices shouting orders and robust male laughter.
She was really doing this.
Clasping her hands together, she really wished she’d brought Venus or one of her other plush friends as moral support. While she managed her normal routine without the need for one—stuffies and bakeries did not mix well—certain situations called for ESA.
Emotional Stuffie Assistance.
“—with you?” Clay asked.
Catching only the tail end of what he said, Avery frowned at him. “Sorry?”
“I said, did you bring a stuffie with you?”
Whoa, that was kind of creepy, given her train of thought. Making a production of patting herself down, she sassed, “Damn, and here I thought I’d stashed one in my bra.”
Clay’s eyes flickered but refrained from dropping to her breasts—points for him. Raising his eyebrow at her, his eyes darkened just a fraction. “Why did I not guess you’d be a brat? From everything you’ve told me, if you’re not a Little, you atleast have Little tendencies, Avery. Carrying a stuffie around is standard practice.”
“I don’t know what I am, but I do know hauling a stuffed animal around the city…” She trailed off, unwilling to tell him how much her confidence had been knocked by her experiences. “They’re safer at home.”
The look he gave her warned he wasn’t a man who took non-answers lightly. But he just nodded, then slid out of the cart and rounded the front, stopping by her side. Holding out his hand, he said simply, “Come with me.”
“But I… the interview…”
“Starts in five minutes. I’ll have you there in three.”
His tone brooked no argument; she didn’t have one to give. Instead, she slipped her small hand into his much bigger one and let him guide her out onto the gravel path. It crunched under her heels as she followed him to the steps, then up to the glass doors.
Evidently, he was a gentleman, as he opened it for her, escorting her through into a hallway. To her left were doors leading to a restaurant; on her right, a bar area.
A reception desk, unmanned, was just ahead of her on the left, with a staircase just beyond it. On the right were several wooden doors.
It smelled clean, like lemons and vanilla, and everything was spotless. Varnished wood gleamed, and there wasn’t a speck of dust… anywhere that she could see. There was an interesting series of framed photographs on the walls, professionally taken and incredibly explicit.
“Wait here a second.” Releasing her, Clay walked behind the desk and ducked down, muttering under his breath. He resurfaced a few moments later, holding out a tartan reindeer. “It’s one of Sierra’s rehabbed creations. She gave it to Rebecca, the receptionist, a few weeks ago but Becca isn’t a stuffie kindagirl. She mentioned trying to find it a new home.” He pressed it into Avery’s hands. “Now it has one.”
It wasn’t much, a simple toy, but the gift was… After months of Adam’s disapproval and disdain, Clay’s easy acceptance was something to be treasured.
The reindeer was six or seven inches tall, the blue-and-green-tartan body firmly stuffed. Dark, round button eyes looked up at her. The protruding bump of a muzzle was handstitched with a black nose. Soft faux leather, dark brown, made the antlers.
Tears stinging her eyes, Avery swallowed hard and lifted her gaze to Clay’s. He was several inches taller than her, maybe six foot two, but the difference in height wasn’t intimidating. “This is… very kind of you.”
Laugh lines crinkled around his eyes when he smiled. “My pleasure, sweetling.”
Was it the way he drawledpleasurein that utterly country accent or the pet name that did funny things to her insides? It shouldn’t be a surprise—she already knew his touch affected her. But his voice… his voice stroked over his skin, sliding through her,intoher until her body quivered with arousal.
Squeezing the reindeer tightly, she took his hand again when he offered it. Words were stuck in her throat, so she just followed quietly as he led her toward the staircase, one step behind him.
“This is the main clubhouse,” Clay explained as they reached the top of the stairs. “Most of the guest accommodations are up here, although there are residential cabins outside for anyone wanting to stay longer. We have a medical room,” he told her, gesturing to a door on the left. “The office is right down this hallway at the end. I’ll walk you down, introduce you to the boss. Just to warn you…”
Her stomach fluttered with nerves.
“Evander’s a big guy. Probably one of the tallest you’ll meet. Don’t be intimidated by it; he’s also one of the best guys around.He’s a Dom—a Daddy Dom, so don’t be afraid to let your Little out if she wants to show herself.” When she squeaked, Clay shot her an amused look. “I get the feeling you have her nailed down pretty tight, Avery. It’s okay to let her have some freedom, especially here.”
“I don’t think I can.”
