Chapter Six
Questions flitted around in Kayleigh's brain, though she tried to quiet her thoughts. She trailed her fingers over Bastian's stomach as she laid curled against him, but even his body couldn't distract her from the endless banter. Where would this lead to? Could they have a regular relationship without the dominant stuff? No, to be honest with herself, she didn't want a normal everyday relationship with him anyhow. Would she move in with him? He'd said no expectations, but for fuck's sake, she needed some sort of verification. After several more long minutes of silence, she opened her mouth. "Bastian?"
"Yes, sweetheart?"
"I have more questions."
"Don't overanalyze."
"But—"
"Kay."
"Is this a one-time thing? I'm not sure I can just do something casual with you. I know you said to—"
"Relax. I said to relax. I wasn't even kidding about the ball gag. You are getting worked up again when the whole point of this is to turn off the worry for a few days."
"I've got too much going on in my head." She stood up and stretched her arms out. "I'm trying to relax, but it's like a typhoon in there."
"Let's see what I can do about that." He got up and walked out of the living room.
"What do you mean?" Kayleigh trailed after him and heard the sound of running water upstairs in the bathroom. She worried her lip, but he poked his head out into the hallway and grinned. It didn't ease her anxiety at all. "Tell me."
"It's more of a show thing." Bastian took her hand and led her inside. The sweet smell of vanilla and gingerbread wafted through the room as the bathtub filled with bubbles. He furrowed his eyebrows as he tugged her hair up into bun and then secured it with several hair ties. She giggled. "Your hair won't win any awards, but it's out of the way."
"Thank you." She giggled again when he picked her up around the waist and lowered her into the tub. The water was the perfect temperature, warm and inviting. She sank down with a sigh. "Thank you so much. This is just what I needed."
He perched on the edge of the tub while the water level increased and then reached over to turn it off. "I'm going to go make us something to eat. Call for me when you're ready to get out."
"I can get out by myself."
"Call for me." Bastian leaned over and kissed her forehead. "Okay?"
"Yes, Daddy." The title slipped out before she even knew what she was saying. "I will." Kayleigh sank deeper into the tub and let the bubbles rise to her neck. He smiled warmly and then left the bathroom, leaving the door open. It felt so natural to address him as Daddy. Why the hell hadn't she seen it before today?
* * *
Sebastian ransacked the Cavetts' pantry and fridge. There were plenty of food options for dinner but not many choices for lunch. He tugged a ham steak out of the fridge and then grabbed several potatoes, two cans of green beans, fried onions, cream of mushroom soup, and a bag of cranberries. He found a roll of biscuits, not quite as good as homemade, but he could improvise with them. They would have a feast.
He thought about Kay and everything she had told him. She'd looked so happy when he set her down in the tub. He wanted her to look up at him like that every day. Of course, he loved doing sexy, intimate things to her body, but he wanted more. Sebastian thought about the contents of his toy bag while he prepared green bean casserole and set the oven to preheat. Wheels turning, Sebastian mentally went through his inventory of toys. He had enough objects with him to recreate several of Kay's photos. A wide grin broke out across his face. That's it! He was going to convince Kay to pick her career back up as a fetish model. Why not? She already had a following, even if she wasn't aware, and he could show her there was nothing to be embarrassed about. His buddy Brian had recently lost his top name model when she'd left due to her pregnancy. She would most likely not come back for at least a year, if at all. Kay would be the perfect choice to step up, if she could let go of her reservations. He turned his focus back to dinner preparations. Everything needed to be timed perfectly, and his little girl could call for him at any minute. The thought warmed him up quicker than the heat from the oven, and he smiled. This holiday was shaping up to be the best one yet.
* * *
Kayleigh imagined what Bastian's beard would look like with her new hair bows in it, and she giggled. She clamped a hand over her mouth at the unexpected sound. The thought of him with green and red sparkly ribbons on his face caused another giggle and then another. Her stomach hurt from laughing so hard, and she snorted at the mental image. Bastian hurried into the bathroom, presumably thinking she was crying, but stopped when he got to the tub. Kayleigh waved her hands but snorted again. He lifted her out of the tub and wrapped her in a fluffy green towel.
"What's so funny?"
"Oh my god." She took several big gasps of air. "If you let me braid your beard and put ribbons in it!" Kayleigh screeched, "you would be so pretty!"
"Did you sneak a bottle of tequila in here?"
"No, Daddy." She sobered suddenly and her mood deflated like a popped balloon. Twice she’d thrown a title which firmly planted her in a younger mindset, but he talked about an adult beverage which mixed up her state of reference. "I wouldn't do something like that."
"No, of course you wouldn't." He reached around her to drain the tub. "Little girls don't drink alcohol. I'm sorry I said it. Come here." Bastian took her hand in his. "Let's get you dressed. Then you can play with your new gifts while I finish making dinner. Does that sound like fun?"
"Yes." She nodded, too lost in the perfect moment to say anything else. "I think so." She followed him down the hall and into her room. He had been in there before, but it felt different this time.
"Do you have a pretty dress in mind to wear today?"
Kayleigh darted her eyes to the closet and back to him, then shrugged.
"When Daddy asks you a question, I expect a yes or no answer in reply. Am I understood?"
Butterflies did somersaults in her tummy at the tone of his voice. She nodded several times, "Yes, Daddy. I do have a dress." Kayleigh let out a long breath. "It's at the back of my closet in one of those plastic bag thingies."
"I can't wait to see it." He moved to the closet and emerged a few moments later with the garment bag. Bastian took the dress out and set it on her bed. She gasped when it came into view. It was a dark red velvet dress with a silver sash around the middle to tie into a bow in the back. Kayleigh had stared at it for hours on the computer screen before getting up the nerve to purchase it, but when it had arrived, she'd never even looked at it. Bastian took care to pick out a camisole, plain panties, and a pair of black knee high stockings then proceeded to dress her. She loved every second of it, wondering if they could recreate this moment again. He brushed out her hair until it fell in waves down her back, curled on the ends from being trapped in a bun. She remained quiet until Bastian turned her around toward the full length mirror. Tears pooled in her eyes, but she willed them away.
"I look beautiful."
"Yes, sweetheart, you do. Come on. Let's go enjoy the rest of our day."
* * *
Kayleigh had the most magical time coloring and crafting while Bastian worked hard in the kitchen. After they'd eaten, he had escaped for a little while to take a shower and get dressed himself, but now the house fell quiet. All of the food had been put away, and she enjoyed the calm atmosphere. They had cuddled on the couch for a while and watched some of her favorite holiday cartoons. For the first time in over a year, she felt relaxed.
"It's getting late," Bastian announced, breaking her out of her daze. "Go get ready for bed, and I'll come tuck you in."
"What are you going to do tonight?"
"I'm actually going to bed as well. I was up very late last night, but tomorrow is another day. The snow is supposed to stop around noon or so. You're trapped with me a little longer."
"Okay, I'll call you when I'm ready." She kissed his cheek then got up from the couch and headed to her room. Today had exceeded all of her expectations, and she couldn't wait until tomorrow.
* * *
Kayleigh carefully hung the dress back up on its hanger. She took off the plain undergarments and slipped into her regular sleep clothes which were a pair of flannel pants and a tank-top. Her hair got pulled up into a messy bun, and then she got into bed. Her mindset seemed to be in between little and adult, but the calm feeling carried over. "Bastian!"
He appeared in her doorway and approached the bed. "Did you have a nice day today, Kay?"
"Yeah, I'm not really sure where my head is at the moment, but I'm so relaxed. Thank you for taking care of me today. I really needed it."
"I'm happy to have been here for you." Bastian leaned over and kissed her. He brought the blankets up to her chest, and tucked her in as promised. "We'll have fun tomorrow too."
"Will it involve your famous eggnog?" She grinned. "It's my favorite."
"Only if you're good." He chuckled. "Sweet dreams. I'll see you in the morning."
Kay snuggled down into the covers and laid her head on the pillow. She wanted to tell him how contented she felt, but as soon as the light shut off, she headed straight into dreamland.