“You could go on without me,” she suggested as he gently pulled a T-shirt over her head. Ivy tried to focus on something other than the scenic view of Steele in low-slung jeans and nothing else.
“Not going to happen, Little girl. You need food to heal.”
“There’s a lot of people out there I don’t know. And, I look like this,” she protested, waving a hand over her body.
“You don’t need a suit and heels here, Little girl. That would look out of place. Don’t worry about who’s out there. You met most of them at the shop today,” he said and treated the scratches from the rope bindings around her ankles one last time before fitting slippers over her feet. She glanced at her wrists which had healed quickly.
She watched him grab a T-shirt from a drawer and tug it on. “Aren’t you going to wear underwear?” Ivy whispered as he held a hand out to help her stand.
“No one will know but you. It will be our secret,” he said, obviously trying to stop himself from grinning.
“I liked your friends. They were nice to me today.”
“Good. They’ll be nice to you tonight, too.”
He guided her out into the hallway and toward the voices she could already hear. She paused, and he stopped immediately. “What’s wrong?”
“Don’t you want to lock your door?”
“Locks aren’t necessary here, Little girl. No one would think of taking another member’s stuff. If they needed something, they would ask.”
“How about someone else coming in?”
“Come with me, Ivy.” He led her to the doorway and stopped to allow her to look at the crowd assembled inside the large room. “Who’s going to get past those guys?”
She looked at the massively muscled men filling the kitchen and already seated around the table. Who would consider messing with these guys and, even if they did, who would survive? “I see what you mean.”
“You’re safe here, Ivy. Let’s stop and get something special for you. Then you’ll feel like this is your home, too,” Steele suggested.
“Like what?”
“Come look.” He drew her to a closed door. Opening it, he revealed shelves and racks filled with unique items. Blankets, cups, bowls, bibs, and a lot of things she didn’t recognize. She tried to pretend she didn’t see the padded items on the bottom shelf.
“This is Little girl stuff,” she said in amazement.
“It is. This is where your blanket came from for the shop. Tonight, let’s pick out a cup for you. Choose your favorite design and no one will use it but you.”
Ivy scanned the shelves and noticed a cup with a pretty girl with dark hair and vivid green eyes. “She looks like me!”
“Great choice.” Steele scooped it up and picked up a matching top. He also collected an item wrapped in a plastic wrapper and stashed it in his pocket.
“What was that?” she asked.
“Something for later. Come get something to eat.” Drawing her into the main area, Steele put his hands over Ivy’s ears to shield her before announcing, “Everyone, meet Ivy. She’s mine.”
A roar of welcomes and smiles flowed over her as the club members responded to Steele’s announcement. She even heard some congratulations and comments that it was about time. Ivy peeked up at the fierce-looking man next to her. Steele didn’t mean to keep her, did he?
Ivy slipped her hand into his when he dropped his protective hands back to his sides. She relaxed when he squeezed her fingers lightly. The group was mainly men, but there were several women gathered there as well. Two very different-looking young women stood and walked over to greet Ivy personally. One she recognized as Remi. Ivy had met her that morning at breakfast and also run into her again with her dad.
“Hi, I’m Carlee,” said the other woman. She was adorable and wore her hair in pigtails.
“Nice to see you again,” said the Goth-looking girl named Remi.
“Thank you for the clothes, Carlee. I’ll get them washed and back to you,” Ivy promised.
“No rush. I was glad to help. Come on. Let us introduce you to the women.”
Feeling like she should follow, Ivy trailed behind the two women, leaving Steele’s protective presence and shielding hands.
“Some are daughters like me. That’s my dad, Rock,” Remi shared, pointing to the large older man who looked exactly like his name. Even his skin seemed a touch gray.
“Is your dad a member, too, Carlee?” Ivy asked, trying to make conversation.
“No. Remi and I have been best friends since kindergarten. I grew up hanging around here. I guess I’m adopted?” Carlee answered easily, with a smile and a shrug.
“Definitely,” Remi endorsed that assertion. “You belong here as much as I do. Now, it appears that Ivy does as well.”
“Um, well… Steele’s letting me stay here while I heal. There are some bad guys out to get me,” Ivy admitted.
“It’s more than that. Steele hasn’t taken his eyes off you,” Carlee pointed out.
Looking over her shoulder back at the magnetic figure, she found him focused on her. “Steele did save me. He’s probably worried about what danger I can fall into here,” Ivy finally said, settling on what seemed to be a safe answer.
“These guys save a lot of people. Steele’s never brought anyone home. Does he think you’re his Little girl?” Remi asked bluntly.
“You all talk about being a Little girl?” Ivy whispered.
“He knows you’re his Little,” Carlee affirmed, exchanging a look with Remi. “It’s not a secret between us. We understand.”
“You’re Little, too?”
“I am. Definitely,” Carlee assured her.
When Ivy looked at Remi, the other woman simply shrugged.
“She’s a Little,” Carlee corrected with a knowing look. “Steele’s on his way. We’ll talk more later. Let me point out a few people so he won’t know what we were talking about.”
By the time Steele reached her side, Ivy’s head whirled with names. She looked up at Steele blankly. Immediately, he wrapped an arm around her waist and hugged her tight.
“Don’t worry if you don’t remember who everyone is. We’ll slap nametags on our chests if we need to,” Steele assured her.
The image of these rough guys walking around with “Hi, my name is” stuck to their broad chests made her burst out in tickled laughter. She leaned back against Steele for support as she enjoyed life—no bad guys threatening, no crappy bosses, no being alone. Ivy decided she was going to like it here.
When the others looked at her, she swatted her chest and forced out “Hi, my name is…” Steele still appeared confused by why that was funny, but the Littles got it immediately.
“Come on, Chuckles. Let’s get you fed.”
Taking her hand, he tugged her to the open kitchen where delicious-looking food tempted her, arranged beautifully in heated trays. Steele quickly washed the cup and lid still in his hand and dried it carefully, as Ivy looked around to see if anyone looked at her strangely. She only saw smiles. They really do like Littles here.
He picked up a plate and steered her to the first dish. “Eat all you want and go back for seconds.”
“Who made all this?” Ivy asked, helping herself to some cut-up veggies to be healthy before scooping up a completely unhealthy, heaping spoonful of the cheesiest macaroni and cheese.
“We all take turns.”
When she opened her mouth to volunteer, he cut her off before she could talk. “You’re on inactive duty, Little girl.”
“I could stir cupcake batter.”
“Not for a few days,” he decreed, lifting tongs to offer her some chicken tenders.
“Just one,” she allowed, holding her plate out.
By the time they finished adding a bit of this and that, her plate was groaning under the weight. Steele plucked it out of her hands and carried it for her to a partially filled table. Placing the dishes in front of empty chairs, he introduced Ivy as he pulled out her chair.
After saying hello, Ivy let the conversations flow around her as Steele excused himself to grab their drinks. Checking out everyone in the room, Ivy noticed a man sitting by himself and wondered why he hadn’t chosen to sit with the others. When Steele returned, he placed her lookalike cup in front of her. Suddenly thirsty, she lifted it and paused, staring at the sippy lid on top. Ivy peeked up at Steele.
“It’s okay, Emerald Eyes. You won’t have to worry about spilling anything,” he reassured her quietly.
“Okay,” she whispered, and lifted it to her lips experimentally.
“Chocolate milk,” Ivy celebrated quietly and patted her Daddy’s hard thigh.
Catching others looking at her, Ivy felt self-conscious. They were smiling her way, but being Little was so new for her. Trying to be subtle, she scooted closer to the dynamic man next to her. He didn’t ask any questions, but pulled her chair tight against his. Steele wrapped an arm across the back of her seat and reassured her with caresses up and down her upper arm and shoulder.
In her sheltered spot, she observed those around her. These guys might look all growly and mean, but they laughed and enjoyed each other’s company. It really was like a family. There was only one guy sitting isolated away from the others. Instantly, Ivy wondered why.
To her surprise, she saw Carlee approach the man with her meal to sit across from him. Carlee really was very sweet to make sure he wasn’t alone. Curious, she tugged on Steele’s vest to get his attention.
“Who’s that with Carlee?” she asked, pointing to the couple.
With a look of surprise on his face, Steele answered, “Silver.”
She could tell something was up by his expression. “You don’t like him. He’s the one you were talking about earlier.”
“Like isn’t necessary. I’m not sure I trust him,” Steele answered.
“So, he’s doesn’t hold a position in the club?”
“He’s the treasurer.”
“That sounds like someone you should trust,” Ivy suggested. “I could…”
“No numbers for you, Little girl. You’re on medical leave. Don’t worry about it. I don’t have any reason to not trust him. Eat,” he directed, nodding at her plate.
Obediently, Ivy scooped up a bite. When her immediate hunger eased, Ivy leaned against his support as exhaustion draped over her. Why was she always so tired? Without thinking, she took a bite of the delicious chicken when Steele held his fork to her lips. Realizing that she had allowed him to feed her, Ivy looked around self-consciously. No one reacted.
A few minutes later, he offered her a taste of a casserole she hadn’t tried. It smelled wonderful. Opening her lips, she allowed him to place a small portion in her mouth.
“Mmm!”
“Good, huh? That’s Remi’s favorite. Have some more,” he said to her quietly and held another bite to her lips.
When his plate was empty, Steele put hers on top of his. She let him feed her a bit more, but shook her head when her stomach was full. Ivy loved that he didn’t pressure her but continued to offer bites every once in a while to make sure she hadn’t changed her mind.
Watching him devour the rest of the food amazed her. Where did he put it? There wasn’t a spare inch of flesh on his body to pinch.
When the conversation took a serious turn, Ivy listened carefully. The men seated around them began to give her tips for self-defense. Steele promised to give her lessons when she was fully healed, but for now, they shared vulnerable places for someone her size to hurt an attacker.
“Do you know how to punch someone, Ivy?” Kade asked, leaning forward.
Thinking it was a trick question, Ivy balled up her fist with her thumb protected inside her fingers. “Like this?”
“No, Little girl.” Steele peeled her fingers apart to pull her thumb out. “You’ll break your thumb that way.”
“And it will be safe this way?” she asked, turning her fist around to look at it from different angles.
“Safer,” Kade verified. “Something that doesn’t take a lot of strength is to blind an attacker. Put your fingers together to form a spear and strike at their eyes.”
Steele helped her form her fingers into the shape Kade suggested, and pulled her hand toward his face. Immediately, she tugged her hand away from him. She didn’t want to hurt Steele.
“I don’t think I want to know this,” she whispered and hid her face against Steele’s neck as she took hold of his cut to reassure herself.
“We want you to be safe, Ivy. If you’re in trouble, don’t hesitate. Strike hard,” Kade growled.
“She’s listening, Kade. It’s just too much now. We’ll practice when she feels better,” Steele assured him as he stroked a reassuring hand over Ivy’s back.
The men changed the conversation to focus on the repair shop, distracting her with funny stories about the customers. Ivy relaxed against Steele’s brawny chest and listened to the dangerous men laugh about floofy dogs, entertaining customers, and messed-up tattoos. Exhaustion crashed over Ivy, and she yawned widely.
“Bedtime, Emerald Eyes,” Steele announced as he stood to carry their dishes over to the kitchen where two members stood loading plates into the dishwasher.
Suddenly exhausted, when he returned, she wrapped her arms around his waist and leaned against him. Without saying a word, Steele lifted her as if she were as light as a feather to hold against his chest. Ivy rested her head on his shoulder as her feet looped around his waist. He swayed gently as he answered a few questions from the surrounding men.
In a few minutes, he walked back to his apartment. Setting her feet on the wooden plank floor in the bathroom, he put toothpaste on her brush and handed it to her before fixing his own. It felt strangely intimate to clean their teeth simultaneously. Somehow, this simple act made their relationship feel more real. Seeing a glob of foam on the corner of his lips, Ivy reached up to wipe it away and received a minty peck on her cheek as a reward.
When they finished, Steele washed her face and sent Ivy into the toilet area with a light swat on her bottom. After returning to his side and washing her hands, Ivy let him steer her into the bedroom. She was almost asleep on her feet. Somehow, she ended up tucked into the big bed with her teddy bear in her arms.
“Night night, Lucky.”
As she tumbled into sleep, Ivy heard Steele comment on the name she’d settled on for her stuffie.
“Perfect name, Little girl.”