Picking Poppy Read online

  Picking Poppy: A SANCTUM Novel

  Pepper North

  Edited by

  Maggie Ryan

  Text copyright ©2019 Pepper North

  All Rights Reserved

  Contents

  Author’s Note:

  Dear Readers

  Other titles by Pepper North

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Afterword

  An invitation to be part of Pepper’s Littles League!

  About the Author

  Excerpt From Tony: Dr. Richards’ Littles 10

  Excerpt From The Magic of Twelve: Sky

  Author’s Note:

  The following story is completely fictional. The characters are all over the age of 18 and as adults choose to live their lives in an age play environment. This is a series of books that can be read in any order. You may, however, choose to read them sequentially to enjoy the characters best. Subsequent books will feature characters that appear in previous novels as well as new faces.

  Dear Readers

  Thank you for choosing to read one of my Littles books. I know many of you have read a lot of my books - #peppered! If this is the first book that you have picked up of mine, my fingers are crossed that you will find them addictive, too.

  June 8th was the anniversary of my decision to put Zoey: Dr. Richards’ Littles 1 on Amazon. If you know the story, I had written this book after reading Darla Phelps’ (Maren Smith) book Daddy’s Girl. There simply weren’t a lot of quality age play books out there.

  What a difference a couple of years has been! I’ve discovered a number of age play authors who have been writing for several years and a bunch of new authors who have dipped their toe into this amazing genre. Daddydom and age play books are on an incredible upswing in popularity and it’s totally due to your enjoyment of these books. Thank you for trying this genre of book and loving it!

  I’ve been extremely busy this year. I love interacting with readers and hearing their opinions on my books. My goal is to attend book events in a variety of places. This year, I’m attending six. If you know of a book conference near you that you enjoy, let me know! I’m looking to fill my schedule next year and beyond.

  My fingers are crossed that you’ll love Poppy!

  Pepper

  Other titles by Pepper North

  Zoey: Dr. Richards’ Littles 1

  Amy: Dr. Richards’ Littles 2

  Carrie: Dr. Richards’ Littles 3

  Jake: Dr. Richards’ Littles 4

  Angelina: Dr. Richards’ Littles 5

  Brad: Dr. Richards’ Littles 6

  The Digestive Health Center: Susan’s Story

  Charlotte: Dr. Richards’ Littles 7

  Sofia and Isabella: Dr. Richards’ Littles 8

  Cecily: Dr. Richards’ Littles 9

  Tony: Dr. Richards’ Littles 10

  The Keepers: Payi

  Abigail: Dr. Richards’ Littles 11

  Madi: Dr. Richards’ Littles 12

  Penelope: Dr. Richards’ Littles 13

  Christmas with the Littles & Wendy: Dr. Richards’ Littles 14

  Olivia: Dr. Richards’ Littles 15

  Matty & Emma: Dr. Richards’ Littles 16

  The Magic of Twelve: Violet

  Fiona: Dr. Richards’ Littles 17

  The Keepers: Pien

  Oliver: Dr. Richards’ Littles 18

  The Magic of Twelve: Marigold

  Luna: Dr. Richards’ Littles 19

  Lydia & Neil: Dr. Richards’ Littles 20

  A Little Vacation South of the Border

  The Magic of Twelve: Hazel

  Roxy: Dr. Richards’ Littles 21

  Dr. Richards’ Littles: First Anniversary Collection

  Jillian: Dr. Richards’ Littles 22

  The Magic of Twelve: Sienna

  Hunter: Dr. Richards’ Littles 23

  Sharing Shelby: A SANCTUM Novel

  The Magic of Twelve: Pearl

  Dr. Richards’ Littles: MM Collection

  Electrostatic Bonds

  Grace: Dr. Richards’ Littles 24

  Looking After Lindy: A SANCTUM Novel

  The Keepers: Naja

  Tales from Zoey’s Corner - ABC

  Steven: Dr. Richards’ Littles 25

  The Magic of Twelve: Violet, Marigold, Hazel

  The Magic of Twelve: Primrose

  The Keepers Collection

  Protecting Priscilla: A SANCTUM Novel

  One Sweet Treat: A SANCTUM Novel

  The Magic of Twelve: Sky

  Sylvie: Dr. Richards’ Littles 26 (Coming Summer 2019)

  Tami: Dr. Richards’ Littles 27

  Liam: Dr. Richards’ Littles 28

  Dr. Richards’ Littles: 2nd Anniversary Collection

  Picking Poppy: A SANCTUM Novel

  Chapter 1

  The preparations for Mitch and Priscilla’s wedding were underway. The proud Daddy had rescued the adorable Little. Somehow, she had found her way to SANCTUM after being dumped by her cousin to die in a deserted area. Mitch had foiled his plans and, in the process, had fallen in love with Priscilla. It was hard to tell who cared more about the other. Priscilla’s eyes were always glued to the handsome man’s form as she tried to please her daddy.

  Their relationship was not a traditional one. Mitch and all the men who had established SANCTUM were age play Daddies. They each sought the Little who was their perfect match. Someone they could care for completely. She and the other little girls were well-guarded and supervised by not only their own protective Daddies but all the other Daddies in SANCTUM.

  The wedding would not be an elaborate one. Luckily, one of the men in the community was a judge. Mark Robertson had agreed without hesitation to officiate the wedding. He was a busy man but had cleared his schedule immediately. He, like the other men who founded the age play community, believed in true love when he saw it.

  Priscilla had chosen a beautiful dress with the help of Samantha, Shelby, and Lindy. It was a frothy concoction of ruffles under the full skirt with pink ribbon roses along the knee-length hem. She felt just like a princess in it. The dress had been hanging on display in her nursery since she’d brought it home.

  Mitch had found her sitting on the carpet in front of it several times. Her eyes shiny with tears of happiness, she didn’t dare touch the pristine white fabric for fear that she would leave dirty Little fingerprints on it. He’d just sit next to her on the floor and lift her into his lap. Wrapped in his arms, they would make plans for the future together as they looked at the dress that symbolized so much to the Little who’d lived without a real family for so long.

  Since Samantha knew all the business owners in town, she had contacted the cake decorator and florist. Carefully, she had selected artists who could design beautiful creations as well as be open-minded. A lovely and delicious rum cake to be cut by the couple, as well as cookies and cream cupcakes, had been planned for the refreshment table. The florist promised a beautiful bridal bouquet of gardenias and pink roses as well as sma
ller bouquets for Shelby, Samantha, and Lindy so they wouldn’t feel left out.

  As she left the floral shop for the last time, Samantha paused in the doorway to glance back at Poppy West. The delicate blonde looked like a heavy breeze would sweep her away. Samantha knew that the young woman struggled to keep her business afloat in the small town.

  The two had worked together to support each other’s businesses during big holidays like Mother’s Day, Easter, and Valentine’s Day. Samantha could always count on kids wanting sweets, but many looked upon flowers as something to splurge on only for special occasions. The candy shop owner also knew that Poppy was the donor of the cheerful mugs of heavenly scented flowers that were delivered to every child who stayed at the local hospital. She had the best heart ever.

  Samantha bought flowers each week for her candy shop since the floral shop had opened. The chubby older Little had given up on having someone to buy her flowers before meeting the dashing sheriff, Ben Underwood. Now, he often chose flowers to decorate her shop. They weren’t telling anyone, but Samantha and Ben were planning to elope to Las Vegas to get married quietly after Priscilla and Mitch’s wedding.

  As Samantha looked back at Poppy, she wondered for the millionth time if Poppy was a Little. She hadn’t ever asked the sweet florist, but she caught wistful looks from the small blonde during their conversations about finding Samantha’s special man and how much she loved the dashing sheriff. Quietly closing the door behind her, Samantha decided it was time to find out. Priscilla would invite Poppy to the wedding at her friend’s suggestion.

  Chapter 2

  Poppy nervously adjusted the floral arrangements at each end of the refreshment table one more time. I shouldn’t have read that book last night, she reprimanded herself. It seemed like everywhere she looked, she imagined that these relationships were Daddies and Littles. She knew she couldn’t be right. Those books were all make-believe, right?

  She gasped as she overheard Sheriff Underwood’s warning to her friend, Samantha.

  “Little girl. You are going to fall if you keep running around on those heels. Slow down, or I will take you behind the house to tan your behind,” he said quietly to the plump woman, busily trying to make everything perfect for her friend.

  Watching closely from the corner of her eye, Poppy saw Samantha stop immediately and nod before throwing herself into Ben’s arms. A slow smile spread over Poppy’s face. She could feel the love between the two. She also didn’t doubt for a minute that the sheriff would make good on his admonition.

  “I know I’m just imagining it. People don’t really get to be Little,” she whispered to herself to dispel the thoughts racing around in her head.

  A deep voice came from behind her, “They do here, honey. It’s SANCTUM.”

  Poppy whirled around to meet the dark eyes of a man dressed in a well-tailored blue suit. He looked kind but unusual. A full beard and mustache covered the lower third of his face. She wouldn’t describe him as handsome, but to Poppy, there was something in his eyes that captivated her. She was frozen in place until a loud snap jolted her.

  Looking down at the crushed rose stem in her hands, she almost cried. Poppy loved flowers. They were really the only thing she had. Destroying a flower from the arrangement that she had painstakingly created for Priscilla was an awful thing to do. Tears welled in her blue eyes.

  “Here, blossom. Let me have it.” The large man gently removed the two pieces from her hands. Tossing the stem into the flowerbed behind them, he tucked the rose into his buttonhole, giving the suit just a bit more flair.

  Automatically, Poppy walked forward to adjust the rose perfectly on his lapel. While she held it in place with one hand, the other reached in her pocket for a spare straight pin. She had several laced through a piece of cardboard. Pins were easy to lose, so she always carried extras. Fastening the flower securely in place, her hands brushed across the expensive fabric of his suit as she enjoyed the warmth flowing from the man’s virile body.

  Before she stepped away, Poppy couldn’t resist inhaling slowly. He smelled so good. Clean with an underlying scent that was pure male. She backed up one step and stopped as his arm wrapped around her waist. She had focused on the flower now perfectly displayed on his jacket, but now her eyes rose when she was startled by his touch.

  “Blossom, tell me your name,” he commanded in that deep voice that sent shivers down her spine. Those dark eyes captivated her. She didn’t know how to describe them. Deep brown like polished walnut but with glimmers of gold to reflect the sunlight, his eyes were simply mesmerizing.

  “Um…Blossom,” she murmured before shaking her head slightly to drag her mind back into focus. “I mean Poppy. My name is Poppy.”

  “I like that. Poppy is a good name for a little girl,” he complimented. A small smile spread across his lips as if she amused him.

  “Oh, I’m thirty-four,” she quickly said. Poppy knew that her thin body didn’t have the curves expected of a woman her age. She was used to being carded when she bought a bottle of wine at the grocery store.

  “Blossom, I know you aren’t a child. I was referring to Little with a capital L. From your earlier comment, I know that you understand the difference,” he gently pointed out.

  Frightened by just how much this man knew about her, Poppy abruptly turned to step out of his loose embrace. “Sorry. You’ll have to excuse me. I’ll go get another rose to place in the arrangement.” She avoided those charismatic eyes as she scurried away. Her heart was racing. Who is this man, and why does he affect me so much? I don’t even know his name!

  Chapter 3

  Tyler Cooper watched the petite woman flee across the wedding space arranged outside with a view over the land that SANCTUM filled. When she disappeared from his view, he turned to absorb the scene. It was very fitting that Mitch and Priscilla would wed here overlooking the age play community that the group of men had established.

  He had been one of the first men to begin organizing the concept. At that time, he had been sure that he had found his Little. Unfortunately, his need for total control had been too much for the woman who decided that playing at being a Little was fun, but actually becoming one was not for her. They had both known after a short time that she would never be able to adjust fully to the lifestyle and that he could settle for nothing less. He remembered Alice fondly and enjoyed running into his former love and her newest escort at social gatherings.

  The bestselling author had learned a lot from Alice. He now knew to heed that inner voice that had always expressed concerns about the charming woman. Her wish to please had overwhelmed her inner desires and needs. Tyler had been looking for his Little for so long, he had been willing to ignore the warning signs.

  Should I move slower this time? Tyler wondered. He replayed the encounter with the tantalizing young woman. There was no doubt or second-guessing. Poppy was Little. A slow smile spread across his face. He didn’t have any doubt about that. Nor did he doubt that she was meant to be his.

  Straightening his tie, Tyler walked over to join several men who were also investors in SANCTUM. A couple of men were currently building their homes in the complex while others were still in the planning stages. Tyler joked that soon the community would be like any other suburb. But they all knew, SANCTUM was unique.

  He kept Poppy in his line of vision as she quickly substituted a fresh rose for the one that he wore. Tyler caught her eyes several times as he rotated around the gathering before the wedding talking to everyone. He was pleased to note that she appeared to search the crowd to find him each time he moved. She could feel it, too.

  Chapter 4

  Before Poppy could stop herself, she bravely swept through the row of chairs lined up facing the front to sit in the empty seat next to him. The man was magnetic, drawing her attention wherever they both happened to be. Poppy had not been able to keep her eyes off him. She had watched him save the seat for someone each time a wedding guest had tried to take it. She had known somehow that
he was saving it for her.

  His eyes didn’t search for her to wave her over to join him. Tyler simply waited, confident of her impending arrival. She sat down just as the music started. He simply smiled warmly at her and held out his hand. Automatically, she had interlaced her fingers with his. His welcoming squeeze of her fingers made her lean familiarly in toward his broad shoulders to press briefly against him.

  Freezing in place, Poppy’s blue eyes flew to meet his. What am I doing? I just met this man! She waited for his eyes to shift to disdain or annoyance at her familiarity. To her relief, he leaned in to whisper in her ear.

  “Little girl, I don’t understand it either. I just know you’re mine.” His lips pressed a whisper-light kiss to that little hollow behind her ear. As she shivered in reaction to his caress, the dashing man added, “And I’m amazingly pleased that I found you.”

  Her light-colored eyes linked with his as he sat back in his chair. A slow, satisfied smile spread over his full lips. Soon, she was standing next to him with his arm wrapped around her waist before she realized that the wedding march had started. He had easily lifted her to her feet while she was lost in her lascivious thoughts. His smile got just a little bigger. Unable to resist his allure, her lips curved to match his smile.