“Well then we’ve failed before we started,” I said flatly. “Because sexy is one thing I am not.”
“Is not true, Andi,” Salt said quietly and I thought his deep voice was a little hoarse. “Not true at all.”
“Umm…” Once more, I didn’t know what to say. “I’m glad you like the outfit,” I said at last, lamely.
“No, no!” Stevens exclaimed, shaking his head. “Your Daddy just gave you a compliment, my dear! He’s showing interest in you—giving you attention you desperately crave. You want more of that—so flirt with him! Play it up!”
“Flirt?” I looked at him blankly. I’d spent most of my professional life being as non—flirty as possible. People don’t take you seriously if you’re too flirty and girly—especially at the PD. I teased around with Salt on occasion but only when we were alone.
“Just try it,” Stevens urged. “This is your Daddy we’re talking about—you love him and you want to please him more than anything else in the world.”
“Geeze,” I muttered. “Okay, here goes.” I cocked my head to one side and looked up at Salt coquettishly from under my lashes. “I’m glad you like my outfit, Papa. I wore it just for you,” I said in a high, breathy voice.
Stevens nodded. “Yes, that’s better. Now Detective Salt, you respond.”
“You look beautiful, my little mishka,” Salt rumbled softly. “So beautiful it makes your Papa ache to look at you.”
I felt my breath catch in my throat. I knew we were just playing roles but still…
“Very good.” Stevens nodded again. “He’s giving you clear signals, Detective Sugarbaker. So go over and sit in your Daddy’s lap.”
“What?” I hesitated uneasily. “I thought that kind of thing was if I was playing a younger age.”
“That kind of thing, as you put it, is universal. No matter what age you’re playing, a Babygirl always wants to sit in her Daddy’s lap.”
“Okay, well…” I was still hesitating so Salt patted his knees.
“Come on, Andi. You know I do not bite.”
“Fine.” I walked across to Salt and perched gingerly on one of his knees. “There. Satisfied?”
“No.” Stevens frowned. “Listen, Detectives, I don’t think either one of you is quite grasping the concept here.” He looked at me. “This man is your protector—your guardian…your disciplinarian…your everything. He will kill or die to protect you and you adore him for that.”
“I do?” I asked.
Salt nodded. “Makes sense. I would kill or die to protect Andi.”
“You would?” I turned my head to look at Salt more fully. He met my eyes without hesitation.
“You know I would, Andi,” he said softly. “On this there can be no question.”
“Well, you’re already doing a good job of acting protective, Detective Salt,” Stevens said. “But you, Detective Sugarbaker, need to ramp up your game.”
“Okay,” I said, trying to hold on to my temper. “Tell me how since you’re the kink expert.”
“You can start by snuggling into your Daddy’s lap like a real Babygirl would,” Stevens said, frowning. “You want to get a close as possible because in his arms is where you find comfort, love, protection from the big, bad outside world. In his arms is where you feel safe.”
I looked back at Salt who shrugged and opened his arms to me—a silent invitation.
I scooted back on his lap until my back was touching his chest but I couldn’t quite allow myself to relax. It felt strange, being held this way. In fact, the last time I could remember sitting on someone’s lap was before my own father took off when I was around nine.
“You’re still too stiff,” Stevens objected. “Relax.”
“I can’t,” I said. “This is just so weird. I’m a grown woman—I shouldn’t be sitting on anyone’s lap.”
“Andi…come,” Salt said in my ear. And then I felt his long, muscular arms enfolding me, drawing me closer so that the side of my body was pressed to his broad chest and my face was against the strong column of his throat.