Playing a Little (13 page)

Erik’s grip tightened on her as she explained how filthy and disgusting she felt when she found herself literally begging for his attention. He would have her do stupid things, like crawl on the floor and bark for him, scrub his filthy bathroom, and never look at him in the eye… anything he demanded, she did to gain some praise. Praise that never came. He never touched her either, not even a pat on the head, stating that she was too disgusting to even be in the same room with him. Time after time, he predictably laughed in her face, leaving her sobbing as he walked away. And, time after time, she kept doing what he wanted, hoping to one day gain his acceptance.

Camille felt Erik stroke her face, not realizing that shameful tears were flowing down her cheeks.

“I swear I will never allow anyone to hurt you again,” he promised, tucking her head under his chin. “And I promise that, one day, we will both get even with that fucking little bastard.”

“Daddy! No swearing! House rules,” Camille choked out, trying to change the subject. His intensity made her feel both uncomfortable and protected.

“I apologize, little one. My bad. But mark my words… his days are numbered. Consider him dead and buried.”

Camille settled into Erik’s arms with a nod. Her gut told her that Erik was not going to allow this insult to her honor and her dignity go unpunished. There was something sinister in his tone and a shiver traveled down her spine, making her very grateful that she was not on the receiving end of his revenge. However, try as she might, she felt no sympathy or concern for Jerry. He deserved everything he had coming to him.

After tucking Camille into bed that night, Erik ventured back to the tower, contemplating the email he was going to send to Arthur. Decision made, he began…

A,

Many good things are happening here. Much more, in fact, that I could have ever hoped for. Because of that, I am asking you to reconsider the direction of this movie. I refuse to allow Cam to risk being ridiculed or harassed by a public that would not understand the lifestyle that she and I are exploring together. Instead of a docu-drama, I am asking you to progress with this adventure as a reflection of fiction. I know you are dying for information and I will tell you that, yes, she has broken through the ice and is discovering her little self naturally. She is also blossoming like a fragrant flower because of it. I am asking you to trust me… you will get your movie, but here is how I suggest it goes…

Erik wrote a brief outline of his idea, including the concern he had in the event that their communications might be intercepted or monitored. It led to the opportunity to bring up Jerry using a ‘code’ that he and Arthur had established years ago. The
pink elephant
would be used to caution the other when concern was raised about leaks in private matters. This was one such occasion that Erik used it… hoping that Arthur would grasp that ‘Tommy’ (played by Jerry) was Pippi’s neighbor in her series…

I am greatly disturbed by one thing. Camille has this giant pink elephant with a crooked trunk that she named Thomas. It concerns me greatly because, like all pink elephants, his presence is preventing her from facing the value of her life. She is too old, and too special, for silly toys like this. I know! You have told me that girls are never too old for stuffed animals, but she is a woman now and it is keeping her from seeing the truth about herself. Please help me find a way to throw it out without hurting her. I will talk to you in a few days. E

* * *

It took another week for Erik to again coax a stated age from Camille. She fluctuated between four and five, but sometime regressed to an older toddler of three. Since she started to call him Daddy, her transitions into the age-play became less difficult, and she could fully immerse herself within her little in less than an hour. She folded under his nurturing caresses during bath time, closing her eyes as he gently washed her body, trusting him not to touch her intimately without her invitation. Every afternoon, they stretched next to each other in his big bed during nap time, where she curled like a kitten against his body and warmed his heart as she released a contented sigh before she drifted off into a peaceful repose. Mealtimes became a favorite activity of both as he taught her the basics of the kitchen and allowed her ‘big’ to learn how to cook. Bedtime alternated between her reading poetry to him and Erik reading her favorite story,
Pout-Pout Fish
, to her. He loved the giggles that arose as he used different voices and then smothered her with little ‘fish kisses’ at the end. He also noticed that she began to easily follow his lead, joining him eagerly as he sat down on the floor with her toys or took out a coloring book and crayons. Every activity was met with enthusiasm and delight, and Camille began to make up little songs to sing to herself as she played by his side.

Erik did not realize how incredibly happy she made him until their third Sunday together rolled around. He had barely opened his eyes when he was rudely awakened by a face full of snow. After dropping a loosely packed snowball on his head, Camille ran screeching to the doorway. He sat up quickly, only to have a second ball thrown at him. Camille then shrieked with laughter, racing out of his room as fast as her legs could carry her. Erik growled, brushing off the ice crystals as he looked at his clock. It was 10:02. The brat managed to wait long enough so he couldn’t bust her for breaking house rules!

“I’ll get you, my pretty,” he snickered, doing his best Wicked Witch imitation. He dressed quickly and then ventured out to look for her, pausing to listen for the sounds of her running along the bridges or a slip of a high-pitched giggle from her hiding place. She was quiet. Too quiet. That only meant one thing…

“You are in so much trouble, young lady,” Erik scolded as he flung open the outside door. He ducked as another snowball flew by, but not fast enough to avoid the one that followed in succession. She was prepared for the battle and heaved her pile of balls at him nonstop until he retreated back into the house, wet and cold. He snatched his coat from the closet and snuck around the east side, slipping out the kitchen door. He could see the shock of red hair bobbing behind the snowdrift as she waited to assault him. With a grin, he silently scooped up an armful of the icy treasure and snuck behind her. His foot stepped on a twig and Camille turned, not wasting a second before she bombarded him with her ammunition. He growled, fighting past the white bombs as he approached her fort. He dove at her, catching her around the middle and tackling her to the wet, icy ground.

“Throw snowballs at me, will you?” he asked, pinning her down as he straddled her waist.

“I’m sorry!” Camille laughed uncontrollably. “No! Eeek!” She squealed loudly as he picked up a handful of snow and promptly stuck it down her shirt. Camille wasted no time in returning the gesture, taking the opportunity to squirm out from under him as he emptied his back of the icy confection. He ran after her, ducking the occasional ball thrown carelessly in his direction. Once again, he tackled her to the ground, rolling with her in his arms down a slight slope.

Pinned under him a second time, Camille panted heavily, her face red with exertion and cold. But her eyes… They were bright and smiling. This was the happiest he had seen her since they had met, and it touched his heart so deeply that he could not ignore the feeling that surged inside of him. He could not put a name to it… Obsession, possessiveness, protection… Whatever it was, it made him desire one thing. To kiss her deeply and passionately.

“Open your mouth. Let me inside to taste you,” he whispered huskily as he lowered his mouth to hers. Like a bud opening its petals to the morning sun, Camille parted her lips and allowed him access. She groaned as his teeth nibbled and sucked at her lower lip, urging her to open her mouth wider. His tongue probed gently against the softness of her mouth, flicking her tongue with his own, teasing her to follow his lead. Camille reached around his neck to urge him closer to her, her own kiss becoming more fervent as she submitted to him. Another moan was heard… His own. He released her soft mouth to trace the gentle arch of her throat, nipping and sucking until he found her ‘sweet’ spot just below her right earlobe…

Camille’s gasp of pleasure accompanied the arching of her body toward him, straining her breasts against the down jacket. Her breath, visible in the cold morning air, was short and rapid as her chest heaved with desire, pressing into him. Slowly, Erik reached behind her head as he again met her mouth with his.

“I am falling in love with you, Cami. I can’t stop myself,” he murmured into her ear. “Don’t refuse me, baby. Please. Let me fall in love.”

Camille wrapped her arms tightly around his neck and rested her head on his shoulder. Her warm breath tickled his ear before she kissed the soft, tender skin just behind his jawline.

“Love scares me. I… I don’t know how to love or how to be loved,” she admitted, drawing strength from the encompassment of his arms.

“I will teach you. If you will let me,” he added hoarsely. His cock ached as it pressed solidly against his wet jeans. If it were not for the cold dampness, he knew that he would be in serious trouble with his wayward organ.

“I need… Need more time. This is happening too fast and… And…”

“You still are struggling with trust. I understand, baby, I really do. We will take as much time as you need. Except for this,” he tugged the ponytail that hung limply down her back, sensing her need to change the subject. “This mess needs to get dry before you end up catching a chill. And then you and I are going to have a little talk about the proper, respectful ways to wake Daddy in the morning.”

Camille grinned, pulling back to look into his face, clearly realizing that he was not angry. She blinked innocently and, spontaneously, stuck her thumb in her mouth.

“Cute is not going to work with me. Not ever. Okay, sometimes… But not today!” he scolded lightly, standing her to brush the snow off her clothing. “Let’s get inside. I’m freezing.”

“Me too. Doesn’t a hot bubble bath sound wonderful?”

“It sure does. Would you…” he paused to study her tilted face, “Would you be interested in sharing one with me? In the big tub.”

Camille worried her lower lip as she looked at the ground. “I think I would be very interested. Except…”

“No sex. I promise. I do owe you a spanking though.”

“Why? I didn’t break any rules!” Camille protested, allowing him to pull her up the icy slope and toward the house.

“Oh, really? Didn’t I tell you not to dump snow in my face?”

“Yeah,” she grinned, “but you didn’t say nuthin’ about throwing snowballs.”

“Technicalities. Do you think you can weasel out that easily? What possessed you to bombard me with snowballs?” he asked, pulling off his wet shoes and socks once they were inside.

“’Cuz I wanted to. No other reason.”

“Well, that is how I feel about spanking you. Because I want to.”

“That’s not fair!”

He kissed her temple before tugging her hair again. “It doesn’t have to be fair. I’m the daddy. Sit tight while I make our bath.”

Camille sat on the edge of his bed, arms crossed as she kicked her heels against the frame, trying to appear pouty. Erik strongly suspected the act was for his benefit, for he did not see the terrified, wide-eyed look that she normally offered him when she was about to receive a spanking. He returned to the bedroom and sat next to her.

“Bath is running. Let’s go ahead and take care of business. Shoving snow in my face while I am still in bed is just as naughty as dumping it on me like you did before. You got spanked for that, too. Care to explain?”

“I’m a slow learner?” Camille offered him a partial smile.

“I disagree. I think you are testing me. You want to see how far you can push before I get angry. Well, just an FYI. It won’t work.”

“I don’t know what you are talking about.”

“You can drop the innocent act, little one. I know you better by now. Nothing you do is going to tick me off enough to make me leave. Cami-girl, like it or not, you are stuck with me. Hopefully, forever.”

“W… what are you saying?”

“I am saying that if things continue as they are, then I intend you claim you as mine. You will be both my little girl and my wife.”

Camille’s jaw dangled as she stared at him in disbelief.
He
wanted
her
to marry him one day? She shook her head violently.

“Nooooo! Ugly girls don’t get married! No!” She broke into tears.

“How many times must I tell you that you are not ugly? My Lord, Cami,” Erik’s eyes were bright with tears, “do you have any idea how much it crushes
me
to hear you say things like that about yourself? You are the most beautiful woman I have ever met and I love everything about you. To know that you think so poorly of me that you refuse to believe that I am telling you the truth… It really hurts me. I would never lie to you.”

“You don’t understand.”

“Maybe I don’t. I guess the only thing attractive about me is how I look. I mean,” he shrugged sadly, “I am desired by women all over the world because I am nothing more than a pretty face. I have no substance or value other than a sex toy, but that doesn’t matter as long as I’m good-looking, right?”

“That’s not true! I don’t care what you look like. Yeah, you’re hot, but that would mean nothing if you were a jerk, like that turd Jerry! You are the sweetest, kindest, smartest, and most caring person I have even known. You are patient and loving, an incredible teacher, and you would make the best father a child could want. A person who couldn’t see that is a fool…” Camille scolded, then stopped short, seeing his grin. He had made his point. “You shithead! It’s not fair to use your acting skills against me.”

“They must be pretty darn good because I got you to see my perspective. I impress even myself sometimes.” Erik puffed his chest with exaggerated pride.

“You forgot to add humble to your list of attributes,” Camille said sullenly.

Erik patted her thigh. “I am the most humble person I know. Just ask me. Now, baby girl. Do we have an understanding? You are my swan. And I am going to make the rest of your life miserable by showing you how much you can be loved.”