King (Shadowridge Guardians MC #11)

11. Ella

ELEVEN

ELLA

E lla stirred as she felt herself being lifted, the warmth surrounding her replaced by the cool night air. She blinked sluggishly, her head lolling against something solid and comforting.

King .

His strong arms held her close as he carried her from the back of his truck to the passenger seat.

“Mm,” she mumbled sleepily, barely awake.

“Shh, Little one. Go back to sleep.”

But as he set her in the seat, the loss of his warmth made her stir again. She forced her heavy eyelids open just as he reached across her, pulling the seatbelt over her body to buckle her in. His face hovered close. So close that she could see the flicker of the drive-in lights reflecting in his deep brown eyes.

She sucked in a breath, her pulse hammering in her neck.

He hesitated, his lips inches from hers, and for a second, she thought maybe she imagined the way his gaze flickered down to her mouth, the way his breath hitched.

Then, before she could think about it too much, he closed the distance.

The kiss was light, barely a brush of lips, but it sent a shiver down her spine. Her fingers curled in her lap, her legs pressing together as warmth pooled low in her belly.

King pulled back slowly, his lips twitching as he cupped her cheek for a brief moment.

“You’re trouble,” he murmured.

Ella swallowed hard, her face burning as she fidgeted.

The drive back to her house was quiet, tension filling the space between them. She kept sneaking glances, her mind replaying that soft kiss over and over. By the time they pulled into her driveway, her nerves were tangled in knots.

King put the truck in park and unbuckled his seatbelt, turning to her. “Come on, dollface. Let’s get you inside.”

She climbed out, her heart racing as he walked her to the house. She hesitated, fingers toying with her keys before she turned to look up at him.

“Do you, um…” She bit her lip, suddenly nervous. “Do you want to come in?”

King’s eyes darkened slightly. “Yeah. I do.”

She unlocked the door and stepped inside, flicking on a soft lamp in the living room. King followed her in, his presence overwhelming in the best way.

For a beat, they both stood there, unsure of what to do next.

Then King reached for Ella, his hands settling on her waist as he pulled her against him. His lips brushed over hers once—soft, teasing. But when she let out the smallest whimper, he groaned and deepened the kiss.

It started out slow and sweet, but within seconds, it turned into something more. Something demanding. His hands tightened on her, and she pressed onto her toes, her fingers gripping the front of his shirt. He kissed her like he was claiming her, like he’d been waiting for this moment as long as she had.

When he finally pulled back, they were both breathing hard.

His forehead rested against hers as he whispered, “You taste like candy, Little one.”

She let out a shaky laugh, still dizzy from their kiss.

King lifted a hand, tracing his thumb over her flushed cheek. “Can I get you ready for bed, baby?”

Ella nodded automatically, then hesitated. “Yeah… but…” She swallowed. “No one’s ever helped me before.”

King’s expression softened, and he brushed his fingers through her hair. “Then I guess it’s time for a first… with me.”

She stared up at him, her heart pounding.

“Starting with this,” he murmured, tilting her chin up to press the softest kiss to her forehead.

And just like that, Ella knew she was a goner for this man.

Ella stood in the middle of her bedroom, her face warm as King moved toward her dresser. She felt like she was buzzing. Like her skin was extra sensitive after that kiss in the living room. She watched as he opened a drawer and sifted through her pajamas.

“This one’s cute,” he murmured, holding a soft pink nightie covered in tiny bunnies. His gaze flicked to her stuffed bunny on her bed. “Very fitting.”

Ella covered her face with her hands, groaning. “You’re embarrassing.”

King chuckled, tossing the nightie onto the bed. “Go potty, Little one. Call me when you’re done.”

Her stomach flipped at the casual tone he said it in, like it was the most natural thing in the world. She bit her lip, nodding as she padded into the bathroom, shutting the door behind her. She sat on the toilet, trying to calm her racing heart. It was overwhelming—the way he took charge, the way he handled her with such care. But it was also amazing.

When she finished, she washed her hands and took a deep breath before opening the door.

King was waiting, leaning against the doorframe, arms crossed over his chest, that cocky grin tugging at his lips.

“Good girl,” he praised.

Ella’s face burned.

“Since your bathroom’s so small, I’ll let you brush your own teeth. But I’ll be watching to make sure you do a good job. Especially after all that candy you ate at the drive-in.”

Her jaw dropped. “You’re what ?”

“Go on, baby. Show me how well you brush those little teeth.”

She huffed, her face impossibly warm as she grabbed her toothbrush and toothpaste. It was hard to focus with him leaning in the doorway, watching her like an overprotective Daddy. She tried to pretend he wasn’t there, but that was pretty much impossible.

When she finally rinsed and set her toothbrush down, King held out his hand. “Wet washcloth.”

Ella hesitated for half a second before grabbing one and running it under the faucet. She turned to hold it out to him. King wrapped his free hand around the back of her neck, gently tugging her closer.

Her breath hitched as he held her still with a gentle grip and brought the washcloth to her face. He wiped over her cheeks, her chin, the tip of her nose, slow and careful, looking after her like she was something precious.

Her stomach fluttered as he took care of her so easily. He was good at this.

“All clean,” King murmured, brushing his thumb over her cheek before stepping back. “Good girl.”

Ella swallowed, unsure if she could even form words at that moment.

He took her hand and led her back into the bedroom. She stood there, still dazed, as he glanced around, a soft smile tugging at his lips.

“I love your room,” he said.

Ella shifted on her feet. “You do?”

“Yeah, baby. It’s perfect for a Little girl.”

Her heart squeezed.

Then his eyes flicked to the nightie on her bed. He pointed to it, his expression turning serious though there was still a little teasing in his eyes.

“I’m going to change your clothes,” he told her, his voice steady. “If you don’t want me to, you need to sayredto stop me.”

Ella’s breath caught in her throat.

She knew what he was saying. He was giving her a way out, a safeword to use. But he was also telling her that if she didn’t stop him, he was going to take care of her how hewantedto.

Ella’s breath came in shallow pants as she stared up at King, her fingers twisting together in front of her. She knew she should say something, but all she could do was stand there, her entire body buzzing with nervous energy.

King held her gaze, giving her time, giving her space to stop him if she wanted. But she didn’t.

His lips curved slightly. “Good girl. If you want me to stop at any time, say red. Nod or say yes if you understand.”

Her knees nearly buckled as she nodded.

He stepped closer, and with slow, deliberate movements, he reached for the hem of her dress. His fingers brushed against her stomach as he pulled the fabric up, his knuckles warm against her skin. Ella lifted her arms instinctively, letting him slip the soft fabric over her head.

She shivered.

It wasn’t like she’d never been undressed by a man before, but this wasn’t the same. The only time she’d ever been intimate with someone had been sloppy and quick and so disappointing. With King, it was different. There was no rush, no expectation. Just him taking care of her, moving with ease like it was totally normal.

She gasped as he reached behind her, fingers skimming her back as he unhooked her bra.

The straps slid down her arms, and for a moment, she felt the flicker of embarrassment—felt herself teetering between her usual mindset and something softer, something deeper.

But King didn’t leer, didn’t gawk. He simply folded her bra neatly and set it with the rest of her clothes before reaching for her pajama nightie.

Ella stared at the soft, frilly fabric, her stomach flipping. It was one of her favorites.

“Arms up, baby.”

Her hands trembled slightly as she lifted them, and when he slipped the nightie over her head, the fabric fell around her, brushing against her bare skin like a whisper.

She swallowed hard, her nipples pebbled and aching. He’d seen her breasts and had acted like a gentleman. Like a Daddy.

Ella’s breath came out in a shudder.

King’s presence, his touch, his voice—it was all so careful, so steady. She felt small, the tension in her body melting away while standing in her nightie and panties in front of him

And that’s when it happened.

That familiar, floaty feeling settled over her, warm and consuming. Her limbs felt lighter, her thoughts quieter. The grown-up worries, the insecurities, the doubts—they all started to fade, replaced by something soft and safe.

She blinked up at King, her fingers curling into the hem of her nightie as she swayed slightly on her feet.

“You okay, Little one?” he asked, his voice a hushed murmur. “Think I need to get you a lovey to hold in your hand when you feel fidgety.”

Ella nodded slowly, feeling small, feeling so incrediblyLittle.

King reached out, running his fingers gently through her hair before cupping her cheek. His thumb brushed her skin, grounding her, anchoring her.

“Yeah,” he murmured, tilting his head as he studied her. “I think I’m gonna have to start tucking you in every night, baby.”

Ella bit her lip, her heart fluttering. She really liked the idea of that.