“And do you like it?” Berkley persisted.
“Sure,” I said flatly. “It’s great.”
He stood upright, frowning. “You don’t seem too thrilled about it, my dear.” He looked at Salt. “Mr. Saltanov, I hate to ask, but are you certain your Little is as committed to this relationship as you are? We want only happy Daddy/Babygirl couples here at the Institute. One unwilling or unhappy participant can spoil the mood for everyone.”
“My little mishka is simply tired from the long trip,” Salt said quickly. He drew me against his side, his arm firm around my shoulders, making sure I couldn’t get away. “Is a long flight from Moscow. Very long.”
“I see.” Berkley still didn’t look convinced. “Well, as you’ve come all this way we will of course, give you a trial as we do all of our participants.”
“Thank you,” Salt said with dignity. “I believe we were supposed to arrive in time for dinner. Are we too late?”
“Not at all! In fact, you’re a bit early.” Berkley smiled. “Why don’t I give you a tour of the Institute while we wait for dinner to be served?”
“Very well. I am eager to see all of your facilities.” Salt nodded.
“Good! This way if you please.” Director Berkley led us through the entryway, past the two staircases.
“What’s up the stairs?” I asked in impulse.
He frowned at me. “Young lady, in the future it’s better to remember that Littles should be seen and not heard. But since you’re new here I will answer your question. The right hand staircase leads to the guest suites, one of which has been reserved for you and your Daddy. The left hand staircase, however, leads to the punishment areas. Never fear—you will see those soon enough.”
Punishment areas? That sounded ominous. I grabbed Salt’s hand just like a real little girl would and felt instantly better when he entwined our fingers and squeezed. Then I felt ashamed of my reaction. We’d been on plenty of dangerous missions before and I’d never felt the urge to hold Salt’s hand. Why should I need his reassurance now? But the fact remained that the touch of his big hand on mine made me feel better and try though I might, I couldn’t make myself let go.
“Now this is the main hallway,” Director Berkley was saying. “Most of the other public areas lead off from it. This is the way to the dining room,” he pointed at one door. “And further down here you’ll find the playroom. Does your Little like play-dates with other Babygirls?” he asked Salt. “We always have two or three Babygirls playing there during the afternoons. All we ask is that everyone play nicely.”
He shot me a sidelong glance as though he wasn’t sure I was capable of that. I didn’t even try to smile back—the man was seriously creeping me out with his talk of play-dates and Babygirls.
“Mishka always plays nicely with others,” Salt said firmly and squeezed my hand again.
“Um, yeah. I do,” I chimed in.
Berkley shot me another disapproving glance and nodded. Huh—had it been wrong of me to answer? Did he really mean that seen and not heard crap? What a load of bullshit! Still, there was nothing to do but try to smile at him—I wasn’t very successful—and go on with the tour.
“So then, further down on the other side is the Institute costume shop.” He pointed to a wooden door which had the thespian sign of two masks—one sad and one happy—painted on it. “Anything you need or desire for any age can be found there,” he told Salt. “And there’s no need to pay right away—it will simply be charged to your room.”
“Thank you—is good to know,” Salt said. “Mishka and I had to pack lightly so we have not many outfits for her.”
“Leave it to Deirdre, our costume lady,” Director Berkley said cheerfully. “She has impeccable taste. Now further down the hallway we have a private indoor swimming pool, sauna, and spa. Littles can have beauty treatments just like big girls.”