by Alta Hensley
"I want you to relax, little Gia," he said, approaching her at the edge of the mattress. His hands trapped her on both sides and he leaned in, finding her lips, taking the taste he had desired for hours. His breath mixed with hers and his tongue gently caressed her lips as her mouth gradually opened to accept his entrance. He guided his hands through her hair and down her back, stirring her need.
Between kisses, his hands moved toward his trousers, loosening the material and stepping out from the confines of the restricting cloth as he continued to kiss his little one. She was beautiful, her cheeks red and her brown eyes dark from the heat shared between them.
"I am very much relaxed," Gia said, smiling as her eyes moved down toward his undergarments.
He pulled down the cotton material that had been constricting him all day, his erection springing free as he reached for her hand and guided her palm around his member. Theo wanted more than just her touch on his cock, but he had to start small and slow. Before the night was over, he would have her lips locked around his pulsating shaft.
Her touch felt soft, tentative, as she stroked his length, following his lead as he guided her hand from base to tip, showing her what he liked and what he wanted.
"How does it feel?" she asked.
"Good," Theo said. It took every ounce of strength to speak through gritted teeth as his heart sped up with her touch. He shifted with her on the mattress, falling back onto the bed, his head on the pillows as he ran a finger under her jaw. "Taste me."
Slowly she removed her hand, and he guided her head down to his stiffening member. Her breath lingered for a long moment, tickling his skin.
"Use your tongue and your mouth. Just not your teeth," he said, instructing her on how to satisfy him.
Her mouth fell upon him, placing small, soft kisses up and down the length of his shaft.
He felt for her other hand, guiding it down to his balls, wanting her touch on every bit of him at once. The feeling, though overwhelming, was amazing.
Gia's kisses moved from the head to the base, and slowly she gave him one long swipe with her tongue, before moving it in a swirling motion over the head and down the vein of his cock.
Theo pulsed under her breath and touch.
"Take me in your mouth, down your throat." He did not know whether she could take all of him or if it would be gradual, as he stretched and taught her throat muscles to relax.
Her mouth moved over the head, kissing and sucking, thrusting slowly.
How long could he last? Her touch, the heat of her breath, her mouth—it was all too perfect. Not wishing to disappoint her, he could feel the moment drawing closer. His hands tangled in her dark curls as his hips moved with her mouth, moving deeper into the back of her throat as he felt his insides pulse and swell, growing nearer, teetering on the edge of oblivion.
His heart slammed wildly in his chest, speeding up, unwilling to slow as he felt her take him further down her throat. His hips thrust quicker, needing the sweet release as he spilled himself down the back of her throat, pulsating and coming as he finally let go.
Gasping for air, he withdrew, rolling onto his back, breathing hard as he stared up at the ceiling. He needed to move, to tuck his little Gia into bed and then retreat from her room and go home. He did not budge from his position on the mattress. The bed was too warm and inviting, especially with his little one beside him.
"Did I do that right?" she asked, her voice timid and uncertain. Her hands played with the quilt as Theo gradually sat up, his heart having calmed down after several minutes.
"You did amazingly well, little Gia. You are a natural," he whispered, leaning in and capturing her lips as his hand held her jaw to him. His heart beat rapidly with the kiss, his mind soaring with all the possibilities and moments yet to come. When had it happened? He felt it, the feeling of love as he stared into her beautiful brown gaze and guided his little one onto her back. "Now it is bedtime. Climb under the covers." He waited until she had done as she was told and then pulled the blankets up around her.
"Will you read to me before bed?" she asked, her eyes heavy.
"It is late, love. I will read to you again soon, I promise." He climbed from the bed and retrieved his clothes, getting dressed before he turned down the lantern and quietly walked toward her bed, placing a soft kiss on her cheek. "Goodnight, my little Gia." Theo retreated from the nursery, bringing his coat and hat, preparing to head out into the cold on his way home.
"Mr. Elliott, I was just coming to find you," Headmaster Philip said. He was holding an envelope.
It took a moment for Theo to respond, his mind was still caught up in the thought of his little Gia's mouth wrapped around his cock as she had swallowed him. The room felt warm and he held his coat, opting to wait to put it and his hat back on. "Yes, Headmaster? What can I do for you?"
"I know you are a new papa, so you might not be aware of the party we have every year, where our new littles and graduated littles come together to mingle. Papas are welcome to attend, indeed it is encouraged, so that if you have any questions, you might find the answers from other gentlemen who have raised and married a little. I will be attending this prestigious event with my little Etta. It is by invitation only. Papas who have graduated are also given an additional invitation for any prospective candidates, so that they might experience the world of Ashby, while also giving our little ones who have not yet been claimed by a papa, a chance for an introduction. The party is on Saturday. I know it is quite soon and you may already have plans, but I can assure you that it is not to be missed."
"Where is the engagement being held?" Theo asked. He could not imagine the girls running around the playroom with such a crowd.
"Around the back of Ashby is a separate entrance for our ballroom. It is most elegant. Your little, should you desire to come, will be waiting for you at the party. The nannies will take all their charges down at five o'clock sharp."
Theo had not made any plans for that upcoming Saturday. "I will be there," he said with a nod. There was no chance he would miss the opportunity to meet the other littles who had graduated, as well as their papas. It was not that he had many questions, but he was curious about how well the littles integrated back into their lives when they returned married, and in a new home.
"Good," Philip said and smiled. "Were you just heading out?"
"Yes." Theo slid his coat on, one arm at a time, before placing his hat back atop his head. He fastened the buttons on his jacket in an attempt to keep warm when he stepped outside. "I do not know whether I will be back before Saturday. I have rather pressing work to do, and getting time off is quite difficult."
"Of course. It is quite common for visits to occur on weekends. Your little Gia will be in good hands."
"Thank you." Theo felt terrible that he had not given Gia a proper goodbye, or let her know that he would be gone for several days without a word between them. He trusted her into the care of Nanny Vivian, and Gia would have to get used to the fact that he must spend some time away for work. It was not often that he traveled but when he did, it was for a few nights at a time.
Theo headed down the steps and across the ground floor before stepping out into the cold. The air felt frigid, more so than it had when he and his little Gia had taken a walk together earlier out in the gardens. Now it felt like a distant memory, as if it had happened long ago. So much had transpired between them in such a short time. He felt she had enjoyed herself, and would be happy to see him again.
With the letter in hand, he walked up to his coachman, who had been kind enough to return at the appropriate hour. "Please take me home."
"Of course, sir." The coachman opened the carriage door, waiting for Theo to step inside before shutting it behind him.
Theo kept the curtains closed to keep the cool winter air from seeping inside the carriage. Bundled up in his winter clothes, he kept glancing at the sealed invitation. He had not had time to inform his little Gia that he would be attending with her. When she heard abo
ut the party, would headmaster Philip inform her of Theo's planned attendance? Theo did not want to make her sick with worry all week, but getting word to her could prove difficult, with Nanny Vivian being the one most likely to receive the message.
He was unsure whether Gia's nanny liked him. They had not had any disagreements per se, but he had relieved her of her duties with Gia, for that evening, at least. Would that prove troublesome later on, specifically if he intended to send her a message? Perhaps it was best to let things settle down for a few days. Theo had work that required his attention, and though he had every intention of attending the event on Saturday, it would be far worse to get her hopes up if he did find it necessary to cancel at the last minute. Perhaps the surprise of his appearance would be best. She would be delighted to see him, and there would be no regrets if he could not come. Besides, it would be good to teach the young lady patience.
Chapter XVI
Several days had passed without any sign of her papa. Nanny Vivian had insisted that he would return, that all papas had to work to earn a living, and that when he could steal a moment from his busy life, he would be there to spend it with her.
Gia felt anxious and restless without his comfort or warm embrace to settle her ailing nerves. Had she found a way to upset him and scare him away from returning? Perhaps she had not pleased him as she was expected to that night when she had put her mouth upon his cock. It had seemed as though he had enjoyed it, but how could she ever truly know?
She kept to herself in the playroom as much as possible. Mollie, however, had soon befriended her, sharing her pastels and later her dolls, along with the dollhouse. The wooden dollhouse had needed a little care, which had been provided when the girls were not around. The roof had been secured, and the house for the dolls now looked as though it had never been knocked over in a tantrum. It seemed as though Gia may not have been the first to make a scene in the playroom, or at the very least, not the last. Each girl found herself in trouble on occasion; whether it was a fight when it came to nap time, sneaking out of their room early for additional play, or just being too wild and rambunctious, and Gia no longer felt embarrassed. All the girls had been corrected, with their bottoms in the air and their nannies disciplining them with a well-deserved spanking.
Little Gia was finding it impossible to sleep. Her nanny had put her down for an afternoon nap. Why would she be so cruel? Her thoughts were all in a jumble, and she found sleep to be the furthest thing from her mind. Whispers of the annual Ashby ball had been echoing around all week, and the littles and papas would all be attending. How could she close her eyes and rest her head when she had not seen her papa in days?
Would her papa be there, or had he decided that she was too much work for him? Surely he could not have discovered the lie, that she truly was a street urchin, and had been tossed out of her home. Had he known the truth, Mr. Hartley would have had a word with her, and possibly sent her back out onto the streets.
The good news was that the forty-eight hours were up. If Theo wanted to relinquish his rights as her papa, it was too late. At least as far as receiving a refund for her schooling. Papa Theo had seemed well off, but not so wealthy as to have inherited land without the need for a job. Gia had yet to discover what he did, and though she longed to ask him, all she really cared about was throwing her arms around him and seeing him again. Feeling him against her skin, embracing her… that was what she needed.
The sun peeked through the thick curtains. Unwilling to stay in bed, she climbed down from the mattress, used the chamber pot and then opened the shades to allow the afternoon light into her room. Gia picked up her new favorite book, the one papa had started reading to her, and carried it to the bed to quietly read. Would her nanny be livid that she had sneaked out of bed? At least she remained in her room and kept out of trouble. She did not bother to pretend to sleep. The minutes ticked away in slow succession, making it feel as though hours were passing by. At least reading passed the time.
She had managed to get through quite a bit of the book when Nanny Vivian opened the door and shook her head, seemingly disappointed. "You were supposed to nap, little one."
"I was resting," Gia said, countering her argument. She had had quiet time and allowed her nanny some time on her own. Was that not what nap time was about?
"Well your resting time, as well as your reading time, is over. It is time to get you ready for the annual ball at Ashby. Are you excited?" Nanny Vivian asked.
"I hope Papa will be there," Gia said as she clapped her hands in glee. She sat up in bed, her feet dangling off the side of the mattress while Nanny Vivian retrieved an ivory gown with a ruffle that went around the front of the dress. It dipped low down her back, ending just above her bottom, making the dress far more scandalous than any other gown she had been required to wear thus far. "Are you sure that is for me?" little Gia squeaked.
"Yes. It was bought especially for you." Nanny Vivian gestured for Gia to come closer.
"Did my papa buy it?"
Nanny Vivian did not answer her question. Gia's face scrunched up at the sight of the gown. It was most definitely beautiful, but would she not stand out? "What are the other littles wearing?"
"That is not for you to worry about. You will wear this gown and, unfortunately, I do not see a way for bloomers to fit nicely underneath. I think just the dress will be appropriate." Nanny Vivian slid her hand up to Gia's waist, pulling down her bloomers. Once the material hit the floor, her hand returned between Gia's thighs. Vivian felt over her folds, skimming from top to bottom. "You are smooth. I shaved you yesterday, and do not think any hair or color will show through the material."
Gia's cheeks burned as her nanny touched her intimate area, the place where her papa had done things that made her feel delirious and woozy.
As quickly as her nanny had touched Gia's quim, her hands had dropped, and she worked the laces loose from the bright pink gown, stripping her of the dress. "We will have time to fix your hair and add a little color to your cheeks. Although that may not be necessary," Nanny Vivian said as she glanced Gia over. "It appears you are quite flushed already. Are you feeling all right?"
"Yes," Gia said, fanning herself. "I am excited about the party." Perhaps her nanny would accept that as an answer, and leave her well enough alone with the questions. She held out her arms for her nanny to slide the beautiful ivory gown over her skin.
"I am surprised to hear that, although undoubtedly your papa will be in attendance. It is usually the littles who have experienced a friend graduating who are most enraptured with the idea of such a party."
"So my papa will be there?" Gia asked. She had been pestering Nanny Vivian all week for details about the event; who would be attending, and whether Vivian had heard from her papa. The answer was always the same.
"You will find out tonight, and not a minute sooner, little one. Now come. Let me properly fix your hair. Bring me your brush."
Gia went to the side table and handed the wooden brush to her nanny. The dress felt strange, thin and wispy, like clouds surrounding her, grazing her skin. Sitting perched on the edge of the mattress, Nanny Vivian retrieved a comb, with three large flowers decorated with pearls. She placed it onto her lap as she sat with her charge.
"You will look beautiful tonight, Gia."
"Thank you," she whispered, staring down at her hands, hoping her papa would be there to see her.
Nanny Vivian brushed the long brunette strands, securing Gia's hair up on her head before sliding in the comb for the finishing touch. "You look quite angelic in that dress," she said.
Gia could not remember her nanny ever paying her so many compliments in an entire week, let alone in one day. What had got into her? Did she know something that Gia did not? The butterflies returned to her stomach, making her anxious and wary as she sat on the edge of the bed.
"We will get your stockings on and then your shoes. The party will be starting soon enough, and we do not want you to be late."
Nann
y Vivian retrieved a pair of stockings from the drawer and slowly slid them up her charge's thighs, one leg at a time. The tops rested above her knees, the dress hiding their height but showing far more leg than she felt appropriate. Was she really supposed to go out in the gown? Would it not create a scandal for her or for Theo? Ladies did not dress with hems so short that they revealed skin! Even with her stockings covering her to mid-thigh, she felt improper.
"Where is the party to be held?" Gia had not heard the specifics, only that there would be girls who had already graduated in attendance with their papas, and new gentlemen seeking a little of their own. Desperately, she hoped her papa Theo would attend. The mere thought of any other man laying eyes on her made her stomach clench.
"Downstairs in the ballroom, around the back. You will be delighted by the party. Try not to eat too much."
"Yes, of course." Gia did not know whether she was supposed to act like a little or like an adult. The gown made her feel grown up, but being in the presence of her nanny brought back the mindset of a child.
"Come. I believe you are ready for the littles' grand entrance. You will wait in the hall while the other girls get into line. You will be presented all at once," Nanny Vivian said, leading her charge out of the nursery.
Presented at once? Did she have to put on a show, too? Gia hated the idea that men would gawk at her while she walked into the ballroom. But perhaps it would not be as bad as her nanny made it sound.
She slipped on her black shoes and stepped out into the hall. Teresa had already lined up, as had Mollie and Gracie.
"There she is," Teresa said, huffing under her breath. "Did your nanny have to smack your bottom? Is that why you were late?" She turned around to face Gia, only to get a good look at her dress. Her mouth hung agape.
Gia smiled, proud that she had been given a gown fit for a queen and not a princess. Teresa's dress was short in the back, revealing her bloomers, and was an odd hue of the ocean, bright blue and turquoise, with shimmers and sparkles that fanned out far above her knees. White stockings ran up Teresa's thighs, but the dress looked ridiculous, as did most of the littles' outfits. Having taken a long glance down the hall at Mollie and Gracie, Gia saw that Mollie was also wearing a little's dress, one she had seen the girl wearing earlier that week. Gracie was the exception. Was it because she, too, had a papa and was not available for marriage?