Heart Song Anthology by Carolyn Faulkner (summer reads txt) 📗

I will call you when I feel up to going out to lunch. Just you and me, Dad.”

He hung up and smiled at her, noticing something not right about her, but not able to put his finger on it. He watched as she smiled and took off her coat. The sight that met him was jaw dropping. Her pert little breasts were just the right size. The halter emphasizing them. The form fitting dress showing off her trim waist and hips. He noticed she could use a few pounds, but otherwise she was perfect.

“That is lovely, Mindy. You look perfect.” He held out his arm and pulled her onto his good knee as he looked deep into her pretty eyes. “Something is bothering you, little one. Is it what I said earlier? Are you afraid of me?”

Mindy looked down at her twisting fingers. “No, sir.”

Ike’s cock stood straight up. He knew she could feel his arousal.

“Then what is it that has scared you? Can you tell me.”

“It is nothing, Ike. Nothing I can’t handle.”

Ike looked at her, she was trembling. She was hiding something from him. “Mindy you don’t know me very well, but you should know this by now. I don’t like lying of any kind. It will hurt our relationship, should we choose to have one. Now I want you to tell me what has you afraid and I want to know the truth.”

With a deep sigh Mindy began, “I saw a man on the corner of my block, and he scared me. That is all there is to tell. He just looked menacing and not like a nice man. I don’t know him, and he didn’t do anything to scare me, really, but he just did.”

Ike looked at her carefully before he said, “I don’t know if I believe that, but I can’t prove otherwise. If I find out you are lying to me I will paddle your cute little butt. If he bothers you again you will tell me. Do I make myself perfectly clear, little one?”

Mindy’s face grew red. Maybe omitting the part about how the man had approached her and she was barely able to drive away in time, was a bad idea. She didn’t like to lie, but she didn’t want to let Ike know she lived on the bad side of town. She didn’t want Ike to know how poor she was.

Ike loved her blush. He pulled her closer to his chest, kissing her temple so as not to scare her with the intensity of his attraction. How he wished she would call him daddy, but it was too soon yet to get into that discussion.

Mindy jumped up from his lap, as Sally entered the room followed by two men with trays of food and supplies on a cart. Sally helped Mindy pull out the table from the corner as they chatted like the old friends they were. Sally had even brought a tablecloth to cover the table and the men began setting it just like at a restaurant.

Ike saw Sally give her friend’s arm a squeeze before she left the two of them alone. The smell coming from under the shiny chrome food covers was making his mouth water. It had been so long since he had eaten anything but hospital food. He stood and hobbled to the table, then lifted the lids taking a peek underneath.

Roast duckling in an orange glaze under the largest. Fingerling potatoes with sautéed leeks under another. Next, there was roasted butternut squash artistically drizzled with a balsamic reduction. And, finally, dessert: a decadent chocolate cake garnished with berries and whipped cream. An ice bucket chilling a large bottle sealed with a gold foil top was placed on the table. The waiter took all the lids and put them on his cart before asking, “Shall I open and pour for you, sir?”

Ike pulled out Mindy’s chair, helped her into it and pushed it in before taking his own. He looked at him with a smile. “Yes, please, and then you can take a break. I will let you know when we are finished.”

While the waiter went about the mechanics of opening the bottle, Ike filled Mindy’s plate, making sure she had a little of everything but dessert, before he filled his own. With the flutes of golden liquid placed in front of them, the bottle returned to its icy bath, and the waiter discretely slipping from the room, they began to eat. Ike was pleased his choices met with her approval when he saw Mindy roll her eyes in delight. She took a sip of champagne and giggled as the bubbles tickled her nose.

“Mmm, this is so good. Not that I am complaining about the hospital food, but this is wonderful.”

Mindy felt like she was in a dream. She knew there was no comparison between this food and what she was used to; it had been so long since she had eaten out. Never had she had food like this. Eating out to her was a burger or chicken. She savored every bite until her plate was clean, then finished her drink. Pushing her chair back she patted her full tummy with a happy sigh.

Ike loved the look of happiness on her face. She was so pretty and innocent, which brought him back to the topic he wanted to discuss. He poured them each a cup of coffee before he began. “Do you know what a Little is, Mindy?”

Mindy looked up, shocked at the question. She hesitated before she answered. “Yes, I looked it up on the computer a while back. Sally and I both decided that we would like to try the lifestyle. It seemed to click with both of us.” Her hand flew to her mouth and her eyes widened. “Please don’t say anything to Sally. It is her story to tell. I shouldn’t have said anything.”

Ike blew across the top of his cup to cool it. “I promise to keep it our little