I shake my head. “No.”
Brian lets out a long breath and sets his forehead against mine. “Thank God.”
I suddenly realize what his concern is. He’s been worried my father touched me like a man touches a woman. He’s never done that.
Brian finally lets go of me to slide off the edge of the bed. He gently drags me closer and helps me sit. “I’m going to take your dress off, Little one. Arms up.”
I start shaking as he lifts my dress up. The moment it clears my head, I cover my breasts with both hands. I’m nervous and embarrassed.
He doesn’t say anything as he lowers me to my back before hooking his finger in the elastic of my tights and pulling both them and my panties down my legs.
I grit my teeth and squeeze my legs together. I’m breathing heavily when he leans over me and sets his palms on either side of my shoulders. “Look at me, Baby girl.”
I bite my lip again as I meet his gaze, my hands trembling over my breasts.
“How long have you known you were Little, Lacey?”
I shrug. “A long time.”
“How did you figure that out?”
“I googled it,” I tell him.
He chuckles slightly. “My sweet girl hasn’t had books or a light bulb in her bedroom, but she googles things.”
“Only when my father isn’t home. He doesn’t know I can use a computer. I only went to school through the eighth grade, but they taught us to use computers. I just never told him. It’s easier to pretend I’m stupid because that’s how he likes me.”
Brian frowns. “Well, you’re not stupid. You know that, right? That’s not a nice word.”
I nod. “I know I’m not stupid, Daddy,” I say, gasping a moment later when I realize I’ve called him Daddy.
He grins wider than ever. “I like the sound of that. I think you should call me Daddy from now on.”
“What if you change your mind?”
He shakes his head. “I’m never going to change my mind. You’re the most precious, sweet girl I’ve ever met. I’m so sorry you’ve had such a hard life. I’m even more sorry I didn’t know about it until now. I would have gotten you out of there a long time ago. I’m kind of mad at myself for not noticing the signs.”
I frown. “It’s not your fault. I’ve learned to hide my feelings.”
“And your booboos.”
“And my booboos,” I whisper.
“You remember I’m a nurse, right, Little one?”
“Yes.”
“Do you know how many naked Little girls I see in the clinic every day?”
I gasp.
He chuckles again. “Sweet girl, nearly all the females on the island are adult Little girls. A few are Mommies, but most are Little girls.”
“And you see them naked?” I ask, incredulously.
“Every day. It’s my job to help the doctors make sure all the Littles on the island are healthy.”
“Oh.”