Innocence’s Series Bundle (Innocence #1-3)(47)

I know Eve needs special attention, and our first date only confirms it. I find out she’s only in town for the weekend, and I’m leaving New York in the morning to find a job. She’s only recently graduated from college and is still searching for a job and having no luck. I check my work schedule and rearrange meetings so we can have dinner before she heads back home to Seattle.

I was floored she ditched her friends for me, but she informs me it was only for dinner, and I better make it good. I wouldn’t have given her a choice, but I play along. I choose the best steak house in the city and pick her up at her friend's place. When we sit down to eat, she seems overwhelmed by the menu, so I decide to order for her.

When the waiter comes over and I take the menu from her hands, it’s as if a weight has been lifted from her. I’ve always had a dominant personality, taking charge when necessary, but something about Eve makes me want to not only take charge, but to protect her as well. Something inside her sparks something in me, and there is an immediate connection like nothing I’ve ever felt before.

I hold her hand and we talk until the restaurant closes. I take her outside afterwards, not wanting to let her go. I wrap my arms around her body to keep her warm as the snow falls all around us.

“I don’t want to leave,” she whispers to me, and I feel the same way. “What if I never see you again?”

She looks up at me with watery eyes, and I know what she needs. Strength. I’ll always give her what she needs.

“Who do you belong to?” I ask her, and she smiles through her tears.

“You.”

“Then you know that I’d never let you go.”

We see each other long distance for one month and it almost breaks me. It wears me down and I can't seem to get anything done. I’m constantly worried about her, wondering about the smallest things. I have plenty of money, but I don’t have Eve, and that’s what I truly need.

After a while, I finally talk her into moving in with me. After that, our life begins, and part of that life is doing what we want to do behind closed doors. It takes time for us to figure out what works and what doesn’t. Finally, we agree that at home, there will be play, but outside of our safe haven, we don’t need the constraints of labels.

Most people refer to our ‘lifestyle’ as DD/lg, but I just like to think about it as my taking care of her, and she takes care of me. We each give one another what we need.

Eve likes to be independent in some parts of her life, but that only holds so long. The walls start to shake and she needs someone to catch her and that’s what I’ve been doing since the moment I laid eyes on her.





Chapter Two





Eve




3 years later…



After a 12-hour day at the office, I’m physically and mentally exhausted. I drive home in a fog, not really remembering anything about my day. I’m just ready to get home to Adam and have our time together, to push the day out from my mind and detox, to let the day go.

I pull into the garage, hop out of the car, and go into the house. When I step inside, I head for the counter in the kitchen. My note is waiting there for me as it is every night.



Princess,

Take off your clothes and put on what I have laid out for you. Dinner will be ready in thirty minutes. Until then, take the picnic basket to the living room and enjoy some free time. I’ll join you soon.



Love, your Daddy.



I smile, put the note back on the counter, and stand there for a moment. I close my eyes, take some deep, slow, cleansing breaths, and feel myself mentally shift to his princess. The day slips away with all my worries. I know nothing can touch or bother me here. I’m his and he will care for me. Give me what I need. Fill the other part of me that many don’t know about. I love my job and my career, but I love this, too. No, I need it. I don’t think I could do one without the other. Adam sets the balance in my life.

I can get stressed easily, and something about knowing I have Adam to take care of me centers me. I know the moment I leave my office I don’t have to think or worry about anything. He’ll always have me.

I see Daddy has laid out a pair of see-through, tiny, white shorts with a matching tank top. He’s also included above-the-knee rainbow socks, which are my absolute favorites. I excitedly undress, still basically in the entrance of our home, and feel the stress of the day wash away. I place my work clothes in the large hamper by the laundry room and dress in what Daddy has chosen. Once I’m dressed, I pile my hair up in a messy bun on top of my head and grab the picnic basket.

Our living area is large and has an open floor plan. I head for the spot in front of the fireplace. I want to stretch out on the plush, cream-colored carpet.

I set down the basket and sit on the floor with my legs crossed. I feel such a sense of excitement getting ready to see what’s inside. Today’s anxiety has completely left my mind and all I focus on is the task in front of me.

Opening the lid, I can feel my face beaming. Inside is a coloring book with crayons, an open bottle of wine with a glass, and a small container of candy. Normally Daddy doesn’t allow candy before dinner, but I can see that tonight he’s made an exception.

I pull out the items, and carefully taking the cork out of the bottle, I pour myself a glass of wine. I take a few large gulps before placing it safely on the ledge of the fireplace.