Off Limits

by Astra Rose

His well-made suit jacket is polished and stiff against my cheek, so unlike everything in this apartment, where even the walls seem to droop and sag. The solid plane of his chest is unimaginably reassuring. And his smell! I forgot how warm, clean, and comforting it is. I take a deep breath and let my body melt into his, enjoying the feeling of safety and security in his arms. It’s the first respite from constant anxiety that I’ve had in months.

can tell by the way she looks at him that she’s flustered by his appearance—maybe the height and breadth of him, or the cleft in his chin; I know women go crazy for the cleft.

Tall and powerful-looking, with thick, wavy hair, dark brown eyes, and that cleft right in the centre of his chin, I know that my mom was proud to

be on his arm at one point. Looking at him now, I still can’t imagine why she ever wanted to be with those other men. At forty years old, Jean-Luc is exceptionally handsome, even to my seventeen year old eyes.

“I hope you know you never have to hide anything from me. I’m always going to come to your rescue, no matter what.”

I’d almost forgotten how much love can make your heart ache; how tender this kind of love can be. She’s not a child anymore, I remind myself. She spent five weeks fending for herself, and she’ll be turning eighteen soon. But it’s hard to think of her as a grown woman…even if my body has undeniably noticed.

I know that I could never force my heart to beat for Kye the way it beats for a grown man like Jean-Luc.

“I love you, Dani-girl,” he murmurs.

“Can I sleep with you?” I ask impulsively. I want to be near him. More than anything, I want us to move past everything that’s happened and just be close again. I want my dad.

He lifts himself up on his elbow, eyebrows raised. “Baby, you have nothing to feel sorry for. I’m the one who’s sorry. I’m sorry if I’ve made you feel alone. I’m just trying to give you space is all. I don’t want you to feel anything less than safe around me, do you understand? You’ll always be safe with me, I promise.”

“You’re not responsible for anything. You’re the kiddo. It’s my job to protect you, and that includes acting appropriately.”

“I love you, Daddy.”

“Come sit on my lap,” I say, husky and low, and surprising even myself. I didn’t mean to say that. It’s like the wild thing within is so close to being free that he’s speaking through me now, controlling me. But I want—no, I need her close. I need to feel her against me and wrap my arms around her in some twisted conflation of protection and desire. She’s mine. My little girl.

Damn this woman. It’s been two minutes and already I want to punch a hole in the wall.

Would you like to be mine, Danica?”

It’s a bottle she’s taken from my cellar, I notice. A five hundred dollar bottle that was meant to age for another few years before being opened.

But more than that, it’s the way he takes care of me, the shelter of his arms, the strength of his commitment to me. He gives me something nobody else ever could. With Jean-Luc I can be a grown, sexual woman, and his little girl who gets taken care of.

“I love you, Dani,” Jean-Luc whispers, dark brown eyes searching mine. “I love you, too, Jean-Luc,” I whisper back.

Lately, I’ve been thinking about a particular future with Dani—one with her as my wife.

He’s beautiful—my love, my man.

Of all the roles I’ve come to play for Jean-Luc—stepdaughter, lover, friend, subordinate, colleague, partner, future wife—this one will always be my favourite. His cherished little plaything, the apple of his eye. “That was perfect.” He smiles. “You’re my perfect little girl.”