Keeping Kenzie - Pepper North Page 0,22
I learned a lot from our relationship. Mainly what not to assume and what I needed and could give.”
“Lots of people experiment with stuff in high school and college,” she offered.
“They do and she did. She also shared our relationship with all her friends. It’s not like SANCTUM. Everyone there is involved in the age play lifestyle. There, you can ask questions freely without any judgment. In high school, her discussions with her friends intrigued many. I knew they were just playing with something new and kinky.”
“You didn’t date them?”
“No, Baby girl. They were great people—just not what I needed in my life. I dated casually through high school. When I joined the fire academy, I found my first Little.”
“She was learning to be a firefighter?” Kenzie swallowed her jealousy.
“No. Marta was an instructor. We had to keep our relationship quiet until I graduated. Then, I moved in with her.”
“She had a bigger apartment?”
“Yes, but she also had a nursery that she had built herself. She also had Daddy, Mommy, and Little friends. The Daddies and Mommies were the first I’d talked to in person. They answered a lot of questions and helped me become a better Daddy for Marta.”
“What happened?”
“I screwed up. I started putting work before our relationship. Firefighting is an adrenaline rush. It’s hours of boredom interrupted by heart-pounding action. Life and death are on the line. Marta didn’t want to be second to my job.”
“She left?”
“I left. I got a job in a bigger town, and I accepted it. Marta wouldn’t come with me. I didn’t understand then. I do now.”
“That was a long time ago?”
“Almost twenty years. I’ve dated women who could have been Little, but it was never right for them or for me. Until now.”
“How do you know?”
“I’m a lot smarter and wiser than when I cared for Marta. Being a Daddy was who I knew I was supposed to be, but I didn’t know how to put her first and myself second.”
“A Little doesn’t always have to come first,” Kenzie asserted confidently. She didn’t want him to think she was selfish.
“A Little should always be first in her Daddy’s mind and heart.”
Silence filled the car as Kenzie tried to digest all that he had shared. When Osiris reached over to take her hand and squeeze it slightly. She wove her fingers between his and held on. Just touching him made her feel better.
“I think I have a lot to learn,” she whispered.
“We both do, Baby girl. SANCTUM can be a safe place for us to grow together.”
“You said there are other Littles there. Could you tell me about them?”
“Of course. Shelby moved in first with her Daddies.”
“She has more than one?”
“Shelby has two Daddies.”
“Who else has two Daddies?” she asked, fascinated.
“Shelby’s the only one right now.”
“Who else lives there?”
“Lindy, Priscilla, Poppy, and Rita live in SANCTUM full-time. So do Ali and Ace. They share a Daddy and just moved from California. Nicky and his Daddy live on the adjacent land. It’s connected now to SANCTUM.”
“There’s two Littles with the same Daddy?”
“Yes. Families come in all shapes and sizes,” he said, looking over to smile at her.
“Would you want another Little?” she asked, worried.
“No, Baby girl. I just want you.”
Those words struck a chord deep inside Kenzie. She dropped her chin to look away from him and tried to regain her composure. Unable to stop them, Kenzie felt tears drop from her eyes to land on her knee. When Osiris’ hand squeezed hers, she couldn’t hold back a sob.
“Baby girl.” His voice was low and gravelly with emotion. Immediately, he pulled over to the side of the road and parked the car. In a flash, Osiris scooted his seat back to make room. Reaching for her, he scooped Kenzie onto his lap and held her close.
Kenzie dashed the tears from her eyes, but more followed. She didn’t know exactly why she was crying. Turning, she hid her face against Osiris’ chest. “I’m sorry,” she whispered.
“You don’t have to be sorry, Baby girl. I’m sorry I made you cry.”
“You didn’t make me cry,” she refuted.
He didn’t argue or probe. Osiris just rocked her gently, allowing her to get everything out. As her tears evaporated, he waited patiently for her to talk to him. A flash of movement behind him caught his eye in the rearview mirror. A police car pulled behind him with flashing lights and no siren.
“Baby girl, the police are here. Be very careful in how you move or talk. Put your