Caring for Little Ollie Read online

  I could have called Serena to get her opinion but for some reason I hadn’t. Sometimes it didn’t feel real that Marshall was in to me knowing I was a little and into age play. Telling Serena would make it real in a way I wasn’t ready for, that and telling my aunts.

  Tired of second-guessing myself, I flopped back on my bed, cradled my blankie to my chest, and pulled my phone from my pocket. I groaned when I looked at the time and realized I still had an hour until Marshall was set to arrive for our date at noon. I’d been surprised when he wanted to go out so early but he must have realized I wasn’t really into the whole club or bar scene and had planned accordingly.

  If anything, I was super excited for what I hoped was the best date of my life. I had so many ideas of what a date with someone who knew I was a little would be like. Would he take me to the park for a picnic and maybe let me swing on the playscape if there weren’t any actual children playing? Would he take me toy shopping and let me pick out a new stuffy from him? Would he take me to a bakery and let me have a big chocolate chip cookie like I had teased him about last night?

  Knowing my mind would drive me in circles if I didn’t find something to distract myself with, I tapped on the reader app on my phone and opened one of my favorite books. It was about a little boy—just like me!—meeting and falling in love with his doctor daddy—I wish. I sighed when I got to my favorite part. The little’s friend had snuck in his pacifier and blankie to help calm him down while he waited for his doctor to release him from the hospital. I bit my lip as Dr. Daddy walked in and found the little sleeping curled up on his side with his blankie in his arms and a binky in his mouth.

  I jumped a bit when I heard a knock at my front door. Springing up, I checked the time and noticed Marshall was a good twenty minutes early. I shrugged, hoping he was as excited for our date as I was.

  I dashed to the front door and whipped it open with a huge smile. A smiled that instantly died. “Aunt Millie! Aunt Holly? What are you both doing here?”

  Aunt Millie huffed as she pushed past me into my house with a plate of brownies. “Is that any way to treat your favorite aunt?”

  Aunt Holly rolled her eyes and followed her wife inside.

  “I don’t know,” I said while frantically looking around for Marshall. I had the smallest hope that I would see him and run out of the mess I knew was about to happen. “Who said you’re my favorite aunt? Aunt Holly gave me a cupcake yesterday at lunch.”

  I slowly closed the door and leaned back against it. Meeting my aunts was definitely not a first date activity, not even a tenth date activity.

  “Bribery? I see how it is!” Aunt Millie yelled from my kitchen. “I just might have to take all these brownies home with me then!”

  I looked up and noticed Aunt Holly watching me.

  “Is something wrong?” she asked eyeing my dejected stance.

  “What?” I pushed off the door and forced a sunny smile. “Wrong? Nothing’s wrong.”

  I looked at my phone again. I only had fifteen minutes to get them out of my house before Marshall arrived.

  Aunt Holly crossed her arms and narrowed her eyes on me. “You love brownies. The last time we brought you some, you practically stole the whole plate and hightailed it off to your room. Are you not feeling well?”

  My mouth went dry when Aunt Holly took a step toward me with her hand raised as if to press it to my forehead to check my temperature. If Aunt Holly thought I was sick, they would never leave. I dodged her hand as Aunt Millie stepped back into the living room so I turned to her like a lifeline only to see her holding a small plate with a brownie and a glass of milk, which I assumed was for me. Any other time, I would have been grateful for their care but in that moment, all I wanted was for them to be gone.

  I stepped forward taking the plate and glass Aunt Millie held out for me. I knew they expected me to sit so we could visit and chat but I only had ten minutes left so I stood there until the moment turned awkward. “So, what are you guys doing here so early in the day?”

  Aunt Holly’s eyes narrowed further when Aunt Millie started and then laughed. “Oh, well I haven’t seen you in a couple of days and me and Holly were talking about renting a movie tonight. I was thinking of you so we decided to stop by and see if you wanted to come over and watch it with us.”

  “Today?” Even I could hear the high-pitched panic in my voice. “Sorry, I can’t today. In fact, I was just about to leave on some errands.” I placed the plate and glass on the side table and reached for Aunt Millie’s arm.

  “Well, I don’t want to keep you too long since you have plans.” I steered her toward the door praying they would leave.

  “Oliver? What are you doing?” Aunt Millie pulled me to a stop and yanked her arm out of my grasp.

  I stood facing the door unable to look at them. This was a complete and utter disaster. Was I being a tad dramatic? Probably, but I didn’t care.

  Aunt Millie placed her hand on my back. “Oliver, are you in some kind of trouble? You're acting very strange—”

  The steady knock at the door cut off her words.

  “Oliver, someone’s at the door,” Aunt Millie whispered softly when I made no move to see who it was.

  I was mortified and instead of acting like an adult, I lifted my hands and buried my face in them as if the whole situation I had found myself in would disappear. This was going to turn out like that time David Weston had come to pick me up for prom.

  David had kept his hands to himself all night as if he really had been afraid they were watching him. He’d even avoided me for weeks afterwards. I’d finally convinced him Aunt Holly really wasn’t a spy and Aunt Millie really wasn’t emotionally unstable but the damage had been done. I’d kept all my dates away from them after that until they’d been given the full warning.

  Marshall was different though. He wasn’t just a normal date. He was a potential Daddy. My potential Daddy and they were going to ruin it. I kept my eyes closed and pressed my hands to my ears when I felt Aunt Millie move around me and a warm breeze against my legs when she opened the door. I pressed harder on my ears when I heard Marshall’s deep, soft voice.

  I felt the door close with a soft whoosh of air and soft hands touch me but I still refused to move. I didn’t want to know how it turned out. He was probably already gone seeing as I looked ridiculous standing in front of the door with my eyes squeezed closed and my fingers pressed into my ears. My chest grew tight at the thought. I’d been so hopeful and now it was all gone.

  I jumped and squeaked when a pair of solid, strong arms wrapped around me and pulled me against a familiar chest. My hands dropped from my ears and latched onto his shirt. Burying my face into him, I took a deep breath of his scent. It was the same as before—warm and musky. Safe.

  He rocked me gently and waited for my breathing to slow before pulling back slightly and lifting his hand to my chin. A small smiled quirked on his lips when I finally looked up at him. I sighed. He was as handsome as I remembered him.

  “We have to stop meeting like this,” he teased.

  I couldn’t help the small giggle that escaped.

  Marshall looked around my living room. Spotting my large recliner, he took my hand and pulled me after him. Sitting down, he placed his hands on my hips and tugged me into his lap. I put my hands on his shoulders when I almost fell over and maneuvered myself until I was straddling his lap. His body felt so good under mine.

  Settling against his chest, I practically collapsed against him as I rested my head on his shoulder. This wasn’t how I pictured our date starting but I wasn’t going to complain about finding myself in his lap. Daddy’s lap was the best. Not that he was my Daddy—yet.

  “Do you want to talk about it?” Marshall whispered into the silence of the room.

  Embarrassed by my overreaction, I shook my head before snuggling into his neck. I shivered when his stubble rubbed against my cheek. I liked it so much I did it again. I felt a little like a kitten rubbing against him like that.

  Marshall sighed but tilted his head to rub his stubbly cheek more fully against mine. “That’s not really going to work for me, Oliver.”

  I tucked my hands between our bodies and shrugged. “They weren’t supposed to be here,” I whispered when the silence went on a bit too long. “My aunts can be a bit overprotective of me and I knew they would try to scare you away. Aunt Holly told my last date that she was on a government blacklist for hacking into other people’s personal email accounts. She barely knows how to use the internet sometimes.”

  “And you didn’t want that to happen to me?”

  I shook my head. “No. I don’t want you to go. I like you.”

  “I like you, too,” Marshall whispered before dropping a soft kiss to my cheek.

  “I just wanted them to leave before you got here.” I whined into his shoulder. “They were asking so many questions and then you knocked and I got a little overwhelmed.”

  “Are you embarrassed?”

  I lifted my head and frowned in confusion. “About what?”

  “About me. About what you like. About what they might assume about our relationship.”

  “No.” I splayed my hands against his chest. “They know about... all that stuff. When I discovered age play and being a little a couple of years ago, I was still living with them and they started noticing… stuff. My room was getting more childish instead of mature and I think I left my crayons on the coffee table too many times. My aunt’s house was always my safe space so I felt comfortable exploring things there. When I ordered a package of... things…” I blushed when I saw understanding dawn in his eyes. My diapers didn’t embarrass me per se but they were too personal and intimate to talk about on a first date. “Aunt Millie opened it and the rest was history.”

  I dropped my hands into my lap and picked at my nails. “Are you embarrassed?” I asked, turning the tables on him. “About me. About what you might like. That they’ll know what kind of relationship we’ll have. That they’ll know the kinds of things we might do together.”

  “No,” he replied quickly but firmly.

  “But how can you be sure?” I licked my dry lips as I dropped my gaze to his lips. I liked watching him speak, the way his mouth formed words. I wondered what his kisses would taste like, feel like. “This is all new to you and we haven’t… played yet.”

  “Because,” he said, his lips tilting into a smile. “Being embarrassed implies that we’re doing something wrong for which we can be embarrassed by others knowing. Why should I be embarrassed that others should know that I like to take care of you and see to your needs? Why should I be embarrassed that you have found a safe and harmless way to relax and have fun? Why should I be embarrassed about a relationship built on complete honesty and respect?”

  I melted inside hearing his talk about our possible maybe relationship in such a wonderful way. “Does this mean our date is still on?”

  “Definitely,” he replied immediately. “Now, lean back and let me get a look at you.”

  Preening for him, I leaned back and let him take in my outfit. I was still somewhat unsure about it but more optimistic after our little talk.

  “Oliver, you look amazing.” He lifted his hand and brushed against the little bit of skin that peaked out on my sides where my shirt didn’t quite meet my overalls.

  I looked down at the simple white t-shirt and black jeans he was wearing. “You do, too.” He had that rebel/street-wear aesthetic going on and I loved it. I wanted to settle back against him but remembered why he was here in the first place.

  “Date!” Springing from his lap, I laughed as I pulled him up. “Where are we going? What are we going to do? Do I get a cookie? I’m so excited.” So excited I gave a little happy dance. I didn’t think to hide my little tendencies. Marshall knew all about them and if he was as serious about being with me as I was about him, my playful attitude wouldn’t scare him off so easily.

  Marshall smiled indulgently before gesturing towards the kitchen. “Don’t you think you need to reassure your aunts you’re fine before we leave?”

  My eyes widened in horror as I froze in place. “They’re still here?”

  “Do you really think they would leave you here with a stranger? They freaked out when you panicked as you did. I think they thought I was here to hurt you or something. I told them I was your date and asked them to wait in the kitchen while I saw to you.”

  I felt my mouth open as I stared up at him in awe. “And they listened?” My aunts never listened to anyone else especially when it came to me.

  Marshall shrugged his shoulders and grinned impishly. “I asked them very firmly.”

  I shifted on my feet as I gazed in the direction of the kitchen. I hated confrontation. “Will you come with me?”

  “Of course,” he said reaching out to take my hand.

  Stiffening my shoulders and holding onto his hand for dear life, I walked the short distance to the kitchen. Stopping just inside the room, we found Aunt Millie and Aunt Holly sitting at my dining room table in what looked to be a very heated whisper-argument.

  “Aunt Millie, Aunt Holly, I’d like to introduce you to my date. Be nice.” They both snapped to attention at the sound of my voice. I clutched his hand tighter and pressed against his side for strength. “This is Marshall. Marshall, I’d like you to meet my Aunt Millie and her wife, Aunt Holly.”

  Marshall stepped further into the room, dragging me along with him and held out his left hand since I refused to let go of his right. “Hello, it’s nice to meet you both.”

  Aunt Millie shook his hand with a smile that I knew was a cover for her crazy and Aunt Holly only reciprocated the gesture grudgingly. Those two bats were insane but I loved them both.

  “You have a last name, Marshall?” Aunt Holly folded her arms across her chest and glared.

  “It’s Walker, Ma’am,” he replied politely as if she wasn’t looking at him as if he were the devil coming to corrupt her only child.

  “Job?” Aunt Holly asked rudely.

  “Aunt Holly,” I whined with equal parts frustration and mortification. Why did they always have to do this?

  Marshall just laughed. He tugged on his hand but since I refused to let him go, he twirled me around so his arm wrapped around me and pulled me tight to his side. His chest looked too inviting so I rested my head against his side and cuddled his arm to my chest. He was mine and I wasn’t letting go. Possessive much? Yes. Too soon? Also probably a yes. Did I care? Nope.

  “I just finished getting my doctorate in psychology and am currently working at a local firm that specializes in child psychology which just so happens to be my area of study. I own my own home and car, have a wonderful relationship with my mother, and in my spare time I like to read science fiction novels.”

  Aunt Holly’s eyes bored into mine. “Child psychology, huh? That could be useful.”

  “Aunt Holly!” I could feel my face catch on fire as I stared at her in shock. She never brought up my littleness around other people and she had never, in any way, approved of any date I had brought around even slightly. Saying Marshall had anything useful was practically her blessing for our marriage.

  Marshall chuckled and tightened his arm around me. “I mostly deal with adolescences.” He looked down and gave me a wicked smile. “But I have a feeling it might come in handy.”

  “Marshall!” I swiveled my shocked gaze to him. Were they ganging up on me now?

  His smiled turned a little silly as he stared down at me. “Come on, Sunshine. Let’s get out of here. I have the whole day planned for us.”

  I’m pretty sure I looked at him as if he hung the stars and moon. He’d called me Sunshine. I’d never had a pet name like that before. “Okay.”

  He gave me a light squeeze before taking a small step back. “Do you have everything you might need?”

  “What?” My brain still wasn’t paying attention. Had I mentioned he’d called me Sunshine?

  “Oliver.” Marshall’s voice snapped me out of my trance. “Keys, wallet, phone?”

  “Right.” I spun around and headed toward the front door.

  I had a small bowl on the side table by the entry for all the important things I needed before leaving the house. It was a habit I’d picked up from Aunt Holly after the countless times she’d had to wait for me to find my lost wallet. Stopping in front of the blue bowl, I picked up my wallet and keys off the top of the pile and stuffed them into my pockets while my eyes focused on the brownie Aunt Millie had handed to me earlier.

  It looked so yummy. Aunt Millie made the best homemade brownies.

  Reaching down, I picked up the gooey, heavenly, chocolate square. One little bite wouldn’t hurt. Taking a large bite out of the corner, I closed my eyes and moaned. So good. Best brownie ever. All the awards. Blue ribbons for everyone.

  “Sunshine, are you ruining your appetite with sweets?”

  I froze hearing Marshall’s soft, censorious words from behind me. Looking over my shoulder, I gave him my best wide-eyed, innocent look and slowly shook my head. I couldn’t open my mouth because it was still full of the best brownie in the world.

  Swallowing, I turned around and held it out toward him. “I share.”

  Marshall’s stern expression softened as he walked toward me, wrapped his arms around me, and pulled me against his chest. I was quickly becoming addicted to his touch. He was so free and open with the affectionate caresses my body ached for.

  Leaning down, he took a small bite from the brownie I still held in my hand. He moaned and the sound traveled down my body, setting a small fire in my belly. I watched spellbound as his jaw and throat flexed when he swallowed, his tongue making a brief trip across his bottom lip to catch any stray crumbs. Desire settled across his face as he looked down at me.

  “That was delicious. Thank you for sharing your treat with me, Sunshine.”