Luciana
I
had meandered down to Wardrobe after hiding out in my room for a few hours. Since I'd originally been paired with Daddy Drake for my first weekend at the Castle and he had been deployed just a few days ago, no one seemed to be available to play with me. I would probably wind up alone and sad for the whole time.
Cut it out, Luci!
I admonished myself in my head. I had already been assured that a plan was in the works, but it would take just a little more time to match me. I was even allowed a few extra perks for being so patient. Patience was a virtue that I didn't have much of, but I attempted to make the best of it.
My nerves worried me and I hadn't been able to relax, so I forced myself to focus on the pretty dresses and gorgeous accessories. Purple was my favorite color, and the outfit soothed me into a younger head space immediately.
“I can put your hair in pigtails. Would you like that?” Janice, the sweet wardrobe assistant, asked me in a cheerful voice.
“No, thank you.” I shook my head as she walked a slow circle around me.
“Oh!” Janice clapped excitedly. “I can do French braids and weave a pretty ribbon through each one. Look!” She rummaged around in a basket for a moment before plucking out two gorgeous pieces of fabric. “These match your dress perfectly.”
How could I refuse? I bobbed my head up and down. “Yes, please.”
I was nervous-excited for all of the possibilities that awaited me inside the Castle walls but as soon as the last hair elastic was tied around the tail of my braid, and I stood up to admire Janice’s handiwork, starbursts flooded my vision. Oh no!
“Hey!” Janice patted my shoulder. “Are you okay, Lucky? Your hands are shaking. Why don't you sit down a second?”
“Oh, I’m fine,” I lied, not wanting to figure out what was actually wrong with me. Warm waves of heat washed over me and my stomach knotted up. I grabbed the lower part of my abdomen and pressed it with my hands as if I could stop the feeling.
“I’m calling our medical team. Sit down, Lucky, right now!” Her voice took on a deep tone, as if she were trying to use her most authoritative one, and the shock of it forced me to follow her direction. The lightheaded feeling grew even worse so I sank down to the floor.
“I-I don’t feel well,” I admitted reluctantly.
“Don’t worry. I've got someone on the way. You’ll be in good hands.”
A young woman wearing scrubs entered my field of vision and it seemed like she had gotten there impossibly fast.
“Hey, Janice. I was headed back to the medical wing.” She noticed me on the floor and walked over. “I’m Stasia, one of the nurses at the Castle. Can you walk, or do you want me to get you a wheelchair?”
“I'm dizzy.” Hating the idea of being wheeled around the Castle but feeling like I had no other choice, I opted for wheels. “I don’t know if I can walk.”
“I can carry her if you want to get her looked at sooner rather than later,” a booming voice offered.
I looked up to see one of the most muscled men I’d ever seen in my life. His uniform was nothing fancier than black jeans and a t-shirt with big white letters that read ‘Chief of Security’ across both his back and his chest. He was huge, and his dark eyes didn’t miss a thing as he assessed the situation.
“Thank you so much, Jackson.” Stasia beamed over at him before kneeling down next to me. She winked. “Being carried around by the head of security is a perk all its own.”
“Okay. Thank you,” I mumbled, embarrassed by the situation, but the huge hulk of a man picked me up effortlessly. His bulk dwarfed my frame, making me feel tiny in his arms, something I wasn't used to, and it calmed me a little.
New kink: Being carried around by hunky men. Bonus if they are wearing a uniform.
I escaped into my head on the walk to the medical wing, but Stasia checked my pulse at least once as the two exchanged friendly banter. They attempted to keep me involved in the conversation, but I wanted this ordeal to be over with.
I stayed quiet and thought how much better it would be alone in my room. Starting the weekend with a medical problem prompted my brain to believe the whole weekend would be spent in such a state.
I should have turned around and gone home the moment I pulled into the parking lot, instead of getting onto the bus.
“Can you please bring her into exam room two and set her down on the bed?” The sweet brunette nurse pointed Jackson towards a room on the right side of the hallway.
“Sure thing,” Jackson agreed.
“I'll be there in a minute. I just want to grab your medical files and one of the doctors on call. Okay?” Stasia touched my shoulder and I nodded.
“Okay.” She walked off in the opposite direction and I worried my lip. My anxiety raised as soon as we turned into the wing. Medical places freaked me out. Doctors also freaked me out.
“Your weekend can only get better from here,” Jackson pointed out gently as he took us into the room and deposited me onto the exam table. It was as if he could read my mind.
“Or worse,” I muttered.
“Or better.” He smiled down at me and it melted away some of my fears. Everyone here was so damn friendly and considerate, but it didn't seem to be just because they were employed at the Castle. No, it seemed like they all wanted to be here, and ensure everyone enjoyed themselves.
“Thank you for helping me. I appreciate it.” I sighed. “I’ll try to have a good weekend.”
“It's up to you to make this experience the best you've ever had, Lucky. Yes, you can make it a poor experience if you hide away from everyone, but there are so many wonderful people here who want to engage with you.” Jackson patted my head. “You need to get feeling better so you can enjoy every moment. Even a trip to the medical wing can be enjoyed.” He winked. “If you're into that sort of thing.”
“I've spent a lot of time thinking about being here, and I want to enjoy myself. I just got a bit overwhelmed.”
“If you need anything, let me know.”
“Okay, I will.”
Something about his deep tone and casual conversation made me relax a little more. It was short-lived, however, since once he left me alone in the room, all those anxieties came flooding back. I should ask the doctor to send me hom
e. That's what I wanted anyway. Then at least I could say I chose to make the weekend a failure. I let my head fall back against the wall and fretted. How long would I have to stay here by myself? The anticipation drove my anxiety through the roof, and I got off the table. I wobbled on my feet, unsteady, but it was better than being up on a table waiting to be prodded.