Elizabeth couldn’t even look at him as they entered the popular restaurant known for its delicious brunch. Clinging to the hand of the powerful man beside her, she operated on automatic pilot. They were almost too late for brunch, but the hostess promised she’d get the kitchen to make their favorites for them.
“Scoot over, Buttercup,” Talon instructed and slid into the booth next to her.
He wrapped an arm around her and tugged her close. Opening the menu, he read several special features off the menu as he rubbed her shoulder and arm. “What sounds best to you?”
“Not the strawberry one,” she answered.
“Do you like bacon?”
“Bacon? Almost everyone loves bacon,” she whispered, still feeling shaky from the pleasure he had shown her. “I’d eat it every day, but it’s not good for you.”
“There are times in life when you just have to say fuck it and eat the bacon. Bacon is delicious and a total day brightener. Why not include it in your life? Can you be brave for me and live on the edge?”
“Are we still talking about bacon, Talon? My mind is pretty discombobulated. I didn’t know I could feel all that.”
Talon leaned over to kiss her hair. “I got you, Elizabeth. You’ll feel better when we get some food in you.”
“I don’t feel bad. Just mind-blown,” she answered.
“Good girl. I can deal with mind-blown.”
“Have you made your decision?” the server asked.
Talon ordered for them with Elizabeth barely paying attention to anything. When the waitress departed with their order, he hugged her close once again.
“You look very cute,” Talon complimented.
“Thanks to you. I’m sorry, I’m not functioning well. That kinda blew my mind,” she whispered.
After her orgasms, Talon had held her for a long time. She couldn’t remember what he said but the tone of his praise remained with her. As did his statement that she wasn’t allowed to touch herself without permission.
“I’m glad. Nothing is off-limits between us, Little girl. I expect you to tell me what turns you on and what you don’t like.”
“You’re going to do that again?” she whispered, remembering him making a spot in her nightstand for the thermometer, lubricant, and vibrator.
“I’ll check your temperature regularly,” he told her without any hesitation.
It was as if it actually was something normal for a Daddy to do. She wished she’d gotten the Littles’ phone numbers last night. They would answer her questions.
Meeting his gaze, she knew what they would tell her. Daddies are in charge. They take care of us.
“I enjoyed meeting the Littles last night.”
“Good. They liked you.”
“How do you know?” she asked.
“All the giggles coming from the library. And you were more comfortable around everyone when we had dinner.”
“The big scary guys didn’t seem so frightening when I saw them taking care of the others.”
“I’m glad. The Shadowridge Guardians are fierce in their protection of people in our town. Don’t forget that they will do almost anything to deal with people who endanger others.”
She blinked at him. “Have you done bad things?”
“For the right reason? Yes.”
The waitress appeared with a cup of coffee for Talon and a cappuccino for her. Picking up the frothy-topped hot drink, Elizabeth took a cautious sip and then another. The sugar and caffeine bolstered her energy and focus.
“That’s good. Just what I needed,” she whispered and took another drink. She looked over at Talon and knew from his smile that he’d ordered it for just that reason.
“Is there anything you don’t know?” she asked before taking one more drink of the delicious mixture.
Elizabeth forced herself to set the cup down to show him he didn’t know that much. His delighted chuckle made her smile as well. Everything was fun with him.
“You’re so different,” she said, looking at him.
“From other men you’ve dated? Or someone in particular?”
“My ex-husband.”
“He changed after you were married?” Talon guessed.
“No. Not really. He was always a cold fish. I was stupid to marry him,” she said, still too mind boggled to lie.
“I don’t believe for a minute you were stupid. There had to be a reason you chose to marry someone.”
“You’re sweet,” she said lightly before changing the subject. “What are we going to do today?”
“Tell me about him.”
“You can’t want to hear about my ex. It’s history. I don’t think about him.”
“Tell me what I need to know.”
Heaving a huge sigh, Elizabeth put her elbow on the table and propped up her jaw as she looked at him. “Davy was a guy I met in college. He was a loner. I talked to him because I was friendly to everyone. He assumed that meant I was interested in him. Foolishly, I never told him I really wasn’t. And I married him when he asked.”
“A guy you really weren’t interested in?” Talon asked, his eyebrows drawing together in concern.
“It sounds really dumb in retrospect. Living it was a whole different thing. It just kinda happened. Five years later, I realized how stupid I was when he demanded we start having kids.”
“You don’t want kids?”
“Who knows? I’m thirty-two. Hopefully, I have more years to figure that out. I did know kids would force me to stay with Davy forever and that was way too long.”
“So, you were smart to get out.”
“Yes.”
Elizabeth looked at Talon and blurted, “How old are you anyway?”
“Twenty-five.”
“Good heavens. I was seven when you were born. I was already learning fractions and reading chapter books,” she said, feeling old.
“Do you really think seven years makes a difference? It didn’t this morning. It hasn’t as we’ve spent time together,” Talon pointed out.
“I figured my post-divorce wild fling would be with a silver fox,” she admitted, shifting to take another sip of her cappuccino.
Talon’s hand tightened over her thigh. “That’s not happening.”
She looked at him and smiled. “You’ve definitely been my reward for leaving. Oh, look! Here’s our food.”
Talon sat back to allow the server to place their plates in front of them. Looking at his selection for her, Elizabeth breathed in deeply. “Good choice. Bacon and golden French toast.”
“I’m glad. You needed some protein and sugar to recover.”
“Do you have some medical training?” She felt compelled to ask. Her cheeks were already turning red as this morning’s activities refreshed in her mind.
“Not formally. Doc is our medical resource. He’s taught all of us how to keep our Littles healthy. He also patches up the Guardians when needed.”
“I’m not even going to address the first part,” Elizabeth said, hoping her cheeks weren’t fluorescent red. “Do you guys get in brawls?”
“Sometimes. It’s not smart to cross the MC,” Talon answered as he cut a bite of his omelet.
Elizabeth couldn’t help from admiring the cheesy eggs with all the yummy fillings. She made herself focus on his words. “There are people stupid enough to mess with you all?”
“Try this,” Talon directed, holding the bite to her lips.
Unable to resist, she opened her mouth. “Mmm. That’s yummy!” she mumbled.
“Better than your French toast?” he asked.
Debating, she shook her head. “They’re both good.”
“Then we’ll share.”
He took a bite of her French toast and nodded. “Yours is good.” He cut another bite of the golden bread and fed her.
Elizabeth looked at him with dancing eyes. Only a Daddy would share his breakfast with his Little and claim part of hers. She loved having a bite of this and a bite of that.
Picking up her fork, Elizabeth cut off a piece of his omelet and lifted it to his mouth. Without hesitating, he devoured it. She laughed out loud. Talon made everything fun.