Marlin was internally freaking out. The guy in-front of her knew she was a little and she felt like breaking down. She felt like her life was suddenly crashing around her.
Damien stroked her chin as he stooped further down to her slouching level. He wanted to pick her up and take her to his office so she could sit in his lap and calm down, but he needed information first. "Little one, why are you here?"
"Me-eeting."
Damien smiled encouragingly toward her," are you lost?" Marlin nodded and Damien offered her a hand. "Come then, Marlin. I'll help you get sorted out."
Without hesitation Marlin put her hand in his and let herself get pulled away. She could feel her already sweaty palms increase in temperature as he firmly squeezed her hand. Her breath slowed a little and she squeezed back in gratitude. She had no idea what exactly was happening at the moment; almost as if she had taken some drug and it was slowly wreaking havoc on her body. Was this her little space? It felt different this time around. It felt odder.
Damien could feel her slipping further into her mind, so he pulled her a little faster till they reached his office. He pulled her inside before turning around and gently wrapping his arms around her. The warm embrace surprised her, but she didn't push him away. Right now, she just needed a hug. Damien smiled softly and petted her head. Her soft hair felt good on his callused hands and it caused a sigh to leave his lips. Oh, how he missed having someone to keep like this permanently.
Marlin didn't read the sigh accurately and she pulled away, looking down shyly," I'm sorry I'm not usually like this."
Damien didn't want to remove his hand, so he slowly let it fall down her locks before letting it go back beside him. "It seems as if you are a little confused about things, little one."
She looked up at Damien, nibbling her lip," I don't know what's happening."
Damien's eyes focused on the subject of the nibbling and he fought a groan that built in the back of his throat. "As I'm fairly certain that you're new to this I think you just don't know how to adjust. You shouldn't have been alone when you're still figuring this out. Struggling between little space and being an adult isn't pleasant sometimes. On the elevator I'm guessing you slipped into little space even though you need to be 'adulting' right now. You're trying to fight it but don't. Once you stop fighting your little space it is going to be easier."
Marlin looked back down and leaned her head on him, her forehead resting on his chest. "I didn't know this was a thing till recently. My head is just all jumbled up. I'm used to constantly refusing myself of being dependent by any definition."
Damien smiled softly again but kept his hand from running through his hair. "Do you have a daddy, little one?" That made Marlin spring off him and Damien instantly regretted bringing it up again. Marlin nodded and Damien's heart dropped. Before he could stop himself, he opened his mouth," he must not be a very good one then." He regretted it the moment the female looked up at him with fire burning in her eyes.
"You don't even know him, how dare you! If it weren't for him, I wouldn't be accepting my little space right now. I'm happy he left me alone. I need to learn to manage this instead of letting my daddy take care of everything. I'm still fucking human; I have responsibilities." Marlin turned to leave but Damien grabbed her wrist and pulled her to him. She looked up at him in surprise and Damien wished for nothing more than to be able to lean down and kiss her.
"I'm sorry, little one. I did not mean to upset you or disrespect your daddy. My jealousy got ahead of me," he let go of her wrist and stepped back," let me call your boss at least to explain your lateness." Marlin looked away and nodded, still a little upset. Sebastian unknowingly meant a lot to her.
Damien grabbed his office phone and leaned back against his desk. He dialed Creamies and Marlin realized that he too was able to guess where she worked. She felt more frustration build in her. "Yes, I'm calling to explain the lateness of Marlin."
Marlin blocked him out and walked to the door just as he set the phone down.
"Wait! Let me at least walk you to the elevator." Damien was behind Marlin in a split second.
Marlin pursed her lips but nodded, letting him open the door for her. She was very ready to leave this building and never see it or Damien again.
Fate had other plans.