Daddy, Sir (Dirty Daddies 2024 Anthology #6)

Chapter 6

Chapter Six

“You don’t have to stay,” Tatiana protested.

“Tati. You’re in pain. You just took high-powered pain meds. How are you going to get cleaned up and in bed by yourself?”

“But…” She hesitated, feeling overwhelmed. “I’ll just go to bed like this.”

“You will not.”

Tears rolled down her cheeks. She’d kept them at bay for so long. Now, sitting on the floor with the huge cast on her lower leg, Tatiana couldn’t imagine how she was going to get herself to the bathroom much less down three flights of stairs for work tomorrow.

He hadn’t said anything about her lack of furnishings yet. Of course, he’d noticed.

“Babygirl.” The captain’s voice was lower and more rumbly than normal. He folded his legs to sink down to the carpet by her. Rubbing her back to reassure her, he said nothing.

Tatiana leaned sideways without thinking and put her head on his shoulder. His arms wrapped around her. She tried to absorb his strength, knowing he would leave her soon.

“You’re going to come stay with me.”

“I can’t do that,” she protested, horrified to think he felt he had to offer. Tatiana sat up to wipe her cheeks dry and he brushed her hands out of the way to take care of this for her.

“It’s either I sleep on your floor, or you come home with me so we can both sleep in a bed,” Captain Murphy said without judgment. “I’m old. You’re not going to make me sleep on the carpet, right?”

“Of course not,” she agreed immediately.

“Then you’re coming home with me. Because you’re thoughtful like that. I have a guest room with a comfy bed. Come help me pack a bag for you for a few days.”

Her boss stood and scooped her up easily to carry her into the bedroom. He took one look at the inflatable mattress on the floor and shook his head. She appreciated he didn’t say anything. Finding that blow-up mattress in the clearance aisle had been complete luck.

“Do you have a suitcase?” he asked after setting her carefully on the cushioned surface.

“Oh, I don’t need to take much. Just a change of clothes for work tomorrow.”

“Let’s prepare, just in case you need to stay with me for a while. You don’t want me to have to keep coming back here for another set, right?”

How could she say yes? Tatiana resigned herself to lugging everything back up the stairs tomorrow. She’d figure it out somehow. “Okay. That makes sense.”

“Exactly. Now, where’s your suitcase?”

“I used a box. There’s one in the back of the closet.”

She watched him disappear into the small, walk-in closet. A rustle of boxes made her frown in embarrassment. He now knew all her secrets. How would she look at him each day in the office?

“I lumped your bras and panties together in the bottom of this box. Let’s take your office clothes and a comfortable outfit or two.”

She might as well take the black skirts and the interchangeable blouses. The thrift store had offered only a couple blazers. Tatiana saved those for important events and had hoped her boss wouldn’t notice her wardrobe was severely limited. “Sounds great. Thank you.”

“Little girl, I don’t know what brought you here, but I know it wasn’t your fault. All I care about now is making sure you’re safe. But you will decide to tell me soon.”

Tatiana nodded as she looked down at the floor. Automatically, she reached behind her to touch something under the thin blanket draped over the air mattress. Her finger brushed the worn plush of her stuffie. Hugo always reassured her. How could she hide him?

“We need to take your friend as well. Introduce me.” The captain’s tone didn’t allow her to pretend Hugo didn’t exist.

Slowly, she wrapped her hand around the stuffed hermit crab and pulled him out. “This is Hugo. I know it’s silly for a grown woman to have a stuffed animal, but I’ve had him for a long time.”

“It’s nice to meet you, Hugo. I don’t think a Little girl with a stuffie is silly at all. I’m glad you have each other. I’m going to carry this box downstairs, and then I’ll come back for you and Hugo. Don’t move.”

She shook her head, promising she wouldn’t. The minute she heard the door shut, she told Hugo, “I have to use the restroom. I’m going to crawl in there.”

Hurrying as fast as possible, she rolled onto her knees. “Shit!” Tears gathered in her eyes when she just barely tapped her toes on the ground, bumping her ankle. Determined not to have to ask for help, she moved as carefully as possible.

Tatiana made it to the nearby bathroom and looked up at the toilet. How was she going to get on her feet to sit down? She wrapped her hands around the vanity’s edge and powered herself up to one foot, banging the other and making herself cry harder. Staring at herself in the mirror, she gave herself a pep talk. You can do this!

“What are you doing?”

Off-balanced by surprise and her unsteady position, Tatiana teetered and felt herself falling. Powerful hands grabbed her waist, preventing her from another injury.

“I should have asked if you needed to go to the bathroom. May I help you? I promise I won’t look,” he said in a teasing tone that cracked her embarrassment.

“I’m sorry. Yes, I need some help.”

In a jiffy, the captain positioned her by the toilet, hiked up her skirt, and pulled down her panties. Tatiana collapsed to the toilet. She heard the door close quietly. How can he be so nice through all this?

When she finished, Tatiana grabbed the vanity again and stood. Braced against the sturdy structure, she worked her panties up her thighs and approximately into place. In a flash, she pushed her skirt down and flushed the toilet.

She washed her hands and called, “I’m all done.”

The door immediately opened. The captain noted her wet hands and grabbed a thin towel from the shower rail a distance away.

“Thanks.” Tatiana’s energy had almost run out. She knew she was drooping.

“Let’s go home, little girl. You need a nap and dinner.”

“Oh! I didn’t think. Don’t you need to go back to work?”

“No. I’m taking care of a work-place injury.”

“This wasn’t your fault. Or the base’s. I’m just klutzy. Hopefully, they won’t fire me for missing an afternoon. I’ll stay late tomorrow.”

“Your job is secure, and you will not be working long hours. Are you steady here for a minute? I’ll grab Hugo and your purse.”

“Yes. I’m fine. Thank you.”

Soon, he had her settled back in the car with Hugo in her arms. Tatiana laid her head against the rear seatback in relief. Just trying to get to the toilet was impossible. Tomorrow would be better.

She could feel his gaze checking on her frequently. They hadn’t known each other for long, but Tatiana knew she was safer with him than anyone else. Letting her guard down, she said, “Thank you for helping me.”

“You’re welcome, Tati. We’ll take care of each other, okay? I know how much you do for me at work. You probably don’t know that having you in my office makes coming to work a joy.”

“That’s nice to say.”

“I’m seldom nice. I am, however, very protective of those I care about. Close your eyes, Tati. I’ll wake you up when we get home.”

“We’re here, little girl. I’m going to carry you in and tuck you in for a nap. Then I’ll bring in your things.”

She could barely keep her eyelids open. It was easier to let him take care of everything. Tatiana caught a few glimpses of the interior of his house. It was neat and seemed normal.

They entered a dark bedroom, and he set her down on the most comfortable bed ever. She sank into the thick padding on top. “Oh,” she moaned softly.

“Let’s elevate your foot like the doctor told us,” the captain told her.

In a jiffy, he had covered her with a soft blanket. “Go to sleep. I’ll wake you up for dinner in an hour or so.”