12. King
TWELVE
KING
F uck, her bed was small.
King sat on the edge, his large frame making the twin-size mattress dip as he watched her snuggle deeper under the covers. She looked so soft, so utterlyLittle, her long lashes fluttering as she peeked up at him through heavy lids. Her stuffed bunny was tucked under one arm, her nightie slightly oversized on her petite frame, making her look even more delicate.
He reached down, smoothing the blanket over her before his voice dropped to a gentle murmur.
“Do you have a paci, Little one?”
Ella’s cheeks burned pink, and her fingers twitched as they rested against the blanket. Slowly, she lifted a hand, pointing at the nightstand.
King followed her gaze, pulling the drawer open. Inside, there was a neat row of pacifiers in a variety of soft pastels decorated with tiny designs—polka dots, rainbows, bunnies. Of course, she would have a bunny pacifier. Something about seeing them nestled in the drawer, knowing she used them, maybe even needed them, made his chest tighten with warmth.
He picked one up, a pink pacifier with a small, white plastic bow on the front of it, and held it out to her.
She hesitated, her blush deepening as her fingers curled around it. For a second, she looked like she might change her mind, but then, after a shallow breath, she brought it to her lips and slipped it into her mouth.
King swallowed hard, watching the way her lips closed around the silicone.
Perfect. So damn perfect.
His hand reached up, brushing a few strands of hair from her face before tucking her bunny closer into her chest. “Sleep, baby,” he murmured. “I’ll text you in the morning. I want to see you tomorrow.”
Ella blinked up at him sleepily, her eyes trusting, warm.
His heart clenched. He was falling for her, and he knew it. And he wasn’t going to fight it because no one had ever made him feel like Ella did.
Leaning down, he pressed a soft kiss to her forehead, lingering a second longer than he should have.
Then, with a final glance, he stood and forced himself to leave.
The drive back to the clubhouse was quiet, but his head wasn’t.
Ella .
Everything about her consumed him. The way she looked up at him with big, trusting eyes, how she blushed when he teased her, watching her slip so effortlessly into Little Space with him.
He’d hated leaving her. For a moment, he’d considered crashing on her small couch so he could be near her, but he didn’t want to overwhelm her yet.
One thing he already knew, though.
She was his .
Or at least, she would be.
Soon.
He pulled into the lot, parking his truck outside the clubhouse. But as soon as he killed the engine, another set of headlights turned into the lot behind him. He didn’t recognize the car and immediately went on alert. It was awfully late for a visitor to show up.
The second the car stopped, the door swung open, andJanelle stepped out, her heels clicking against the pavement.
His blood ran cold, and he ground his molars together.
“What the hell are you doing here?” King snapped, stepping out of his truck, his fists clenched at his sides.
Janelle scoffed, crossing her arms under her chest as she tossed her dark hair over her shoulder. “Relax, Daddy. I justhappenedto see you pulling in.”
“Bullshit. And don’t fucking call me that.” His voice was sharp, cutting. “Are you following me, Janelle?”
She rolled her eyes. “Of course not. But Idid hear you’ve been spending time with some pathetic little girl. Took her to the steakhouse tonight, apparently.” Her lip curled. “Seriously? That’s what you want? Someone like her ?”
His muscles tensed. “You don’t get to ask me that.” His tone was low and dangerous. “Now get the fuck out of here before I call the cops and report you for harassment.”
Janelle let out a sharp laugh, but there was an edge of desperation in it. “You’re really choosing her over me?”
“Without a second thought.”
Her face twisted in anger, but King was done.
“Get the fuck out of here, Janelle. And stay the hell out of my life. We’re over, have been for a long time, and that is never going to change,” he snapped.
Turning on his heel, he stalked toward the clubhouse, shoving open the door without looking back.
He didn’t need to.
Because Janelle?
She was nothing but a nightmare from the past.
But Ella?
Ella was his future. And she was quickly becoming his everything.
King leaned against the counter, phone in hand as he stared at the screen. His fingers hovered over the keyboard for a second before he typed out a message.
King:Morning, Little one. Come spend the day with me?
It only took a minute before the dots appeared, then her reply popped up.
Ella:Spend the day with you… doing what?
King:Playing with the other Littles. Having fun. Being taken care of.
Ella:Okay. I’d like that.
A slow grin spread across his face.
He pushed off the counter and walked into the common room, where a few Littles were already gathered, sprawled across the couches with coloring books and cartoons playing softly in the background.
“Hey, rugrats,” he called out, getting their attention. “Ella’s coming over in a little while.”
A chorus of excited squeals erupted as Remi, Harper, and some of the others sat up, their eyes wide with excitement.
“Really?” Remi bounced in place. “She’s coming toplay?”
“Yep.”
Harper waggled her eyebrows at him. “Is she yourLittle?”
King huffed out a laugh, shaking his head. “Not yet.”
“But youwanther to be,” Molly chimed in with a knowing grin.
King felt a flicker of warmth in his chest. More than anything.
“That’s up to Ella,” he said, keeping his voice steady even though hope clung to him.
Harper crossed her arms, nodding sagely. “Well, we already decided. We like her. So sheshould be yours.”
King chuckled. “Glad I have your approval.”
Remi clapped her hands. “We should have a picnic when she gets here.”
“I was already planning on making sandwiches and snacks. You can set everything up outside while I take care of the food,” King told them.
With that settled, the Littles scattered to start preparing for their picnic, and King headed into the kitchen. He pulled out bread, lunch meat, and various snacks, getting everything out before rolling his sleeves up to get to work.
A few minutes later, Doc walked in, his expression easy as he grabbed a knife and started helping slice the fruit. The men all helped each other out around the club, both with chores and taking care of each other’s women. The entire club was a family of its own.
King gave him a nod of appreciation before Doc spoke.
“Saw Janelle follow you through the compound gates last night,” he noted casually.
King’s jaw tightened, but he kept his hands steady as he spread mayo onto a slice of bread. “Yeah, she showed up.”
Doc exhaled, shaking his head. “That woman’s bad news, King. You know that. People like her don’t justlet things go.”
King let out a low grunt. “I made it real fucking clear to her last night that I want nothing to do with her.”
“You sure she got the message?”
King paused, his grip tightening around the butter knife for a second before he forced himself to relax. “I hope so, but if not, she will.”
Doc didn’t say anything for a moment, then gave a short nod. “Just be careful. You’ve got something good with Ella. Don’t let Janelle mess that up.”
King’s stomach tightened at the thought of Janelle doinganythingto hurt Ella. He wouldn’t let it happen. Not now. Not ever.
“I won’t,” he said firmly.
Doc clapped him on the shoulder before moving to pack up the food.
King rolled his neck and exhaled slowly.
Ella would be here soon.
And he’d be damned if anything— or anyone —got in the way of what they were building.
King stood outside the clubhouse, arms crossed as he waited for Ella. The moment her car pulled up, his lips curled into a grin, anticipation thrumming through his chest. As soon as she stepped out, he closed the distance between them, wrapping his arms around her and pulling her in for a hug. She melted into him easily, her small frame fitting perfectly against his.
“I missed you,” he said, pressing a lingering kiss to the top of her head before tilting her chin up and brushing a soft kiss against her lips.
Ella blushed, her fingers tightening in the fabric of his shirt. “I missed you, too,” she admitted, her voice shy. “Even though it hasn’t even been that long.”
King grinned, brushing a stray lock of hair away from her cheek. “That so, Little one?”
She nodded, chewing her lip before glancing up at him with uncertainty in her eyes. “I’ve never felt like this before. I don’t know if we’re moving too fast. I was kind of panicking this morning.”
King tightened his grip on her waist, keeping her close. “We are moving fast,” he admitted. “But I don’t care. Not if it’s what we both want.”
He cupped her cheek, rubbing his thumb over her warm skin. “Iwant this. I want you . And I want to be your Daddy. Not just that. I want to be your partner, too.”
Ella’s breath hitched, her wide eyes locking onto his. Her lips parted, and just as she was about to speak, they were interrupted.
“Ella!”
A chorus of excited squeals rang out as Carlee, Ivy, and Remi came skipping over, their faces bright with excitement.
“Come play with us,” Ivy pleaded, bouncing on her toes.
Remi grabbed Ella’s hand, tugging her toward the clubhouse. “We’re gonna have a picnic.”
Ella hesitated, her eyes flicking to King, uncertainty flashing across her face.
King chuckled, brushing his knuckles over her jaw before nodding toward the girls. “Go on, Little one. Have fun.”
Her lips curled into a soft smile, and with one last glance at him, she let the girls pull her away, their giggles filling the air as they hurried to the picnic they’d set up by the oak tree.
It was going to be a good day.