Chapter 15
The house felt too quiet for a place with five living creatures inhabiting it. Which was saying something, considering Murphy snored like a dying lawn mower and Daisy paced up and down the halls, her nails clacking on the floors as she moved from room to room.
Or maybe it felt quiet because my head was just so damn loud.
It had been three days since my date with Colter. Three days since Colter's hands, mouth, and cock were all over me. I swear I could still smell him in the air around me which was just damn stupid and impossible. I was turning into a rom-com idiot, mooning over his love interest.
But I couldn't really find it in me to be too mad at it because I really, really liked him.
My face was split with a huge grin the entire time, as I fed my pets, cleaned up a crime scene of scattered kibble, and tried to focus on work. My cheeks would probably end up hurt and achy at the end of the day but it would be worth it.
Colter was worth just about anything.
My phone buzzed and I eagerly reached for it, hoping it was Doctor Daddy calling.
Alas. No.
Unknown number.
I hesitated, thumb hovering over the accept button. It was probably spam. But just now it was something important, so I swiped to answer.
"Hello?" I called out.
Nothing. Just a faint rush of static.
I cleared my throat and tried again. "...hello?"
Still nothing. Then, there was a soft click, and the line went dead.
I frowned at the screen. That was weird. Maybe the scammer decided not to try his luck with me after all. Or a trainee telemarketer who lost his courage to try his first sales pitch.
I shrugged it off and continued with my work, trying to forget about the incident.
But by lunch I'd had two more creepy calls.
Both were the same. A couple of seconds of silence and that weird static, like someone breathing too close to the mic.
By the fourth one, my nerves had started to fray. My poor anxious Daisy quickly picked up on my mood and stayed close by for the rest of the afternoon, alternating between keeping her head on my lap, or lying right on my feet.
I helped soothe my own fears by rubbing between her ears or giving Murphy a cuddle whenever he came close enough to my work-from-home set up.
When the next call came in, something inside me snapped. I snatched up the phone before the first ring even finished and barked, "Listen, asshole, I don't care who the fuck you are, quit calling me or I'll report you!"
There was a heartbeat of silence.
And then... "Jericho?"
Oh no.
No, no, no, no.
My blood ran cold. "Daddy?"
"Yeah, baby. What the hell is going on?" His voice was soft, and his tone careful. "Are you okay? You sound scared, baby boy."
I sank back into my chair, my body almost sinking in on itself.
"Oh my, I thought you were... ugh." I rubbed my hand down my face before trying again.
"Look, someone's been calling all day, and just breathing for a few seconds before cutting the call.
I just... sorry. I didn't mean to snap at you.
I didn't even look at the display because I was pissed. "
"I'm not worried about the yelling," he said, concern sharpening his words. "I'm worried about you and these calls. Are you sure you're safe? Your doors locked?"
"Yeah, I'm fine. It's probably just someone making prank calls."
He went quiet for a moment. "I don't like it, baby. I don't want you alone out there, where I can't keep an eye on you."
"Colter..."
"Nope." His tone left no room for argument. "Please pack a bag for you and the fur brigade. You can all come stay here for a few days. At least until after Christmas. That way I can see if the calls continue and we might figure out what's happening."
I blinked.
Did he just say I need to bring stuff for my babies?
"You want all of us? Me, two dogs, and two cats? Are you sure you know what you're letting yourself in for?"
"I want you," he said, his tone still firm. "And you come with those babies of yours."
My heart melted. "Are you sure, Daddy? They're kind of a lot."
"Baby," he murmured. "I've got a yard, spare rooms, and plenty of space. It's been long enough since some furry pets have taken over my home. Now be a good boy and say yes before I come over there myself and kidnap all of you instead."
A laugh escaped me, shaky, but the emotion behind it was real. "Yes, Daddy."
"Good, I'll be expecting you within the hour. If you're not here by then, I'll have to assume you want to be kidnapped by a creepy older man."
Another laugh bubbled from my chest before I agreed and said goodbye.
When the call ended, I sat there, staring at the phone like it might ring again. Daisy nudged my knee with her cold nose, and Murphy thumped his tail once before letting out a sharp yip.
"Well, guys," I said, exhaling a breath I hadn't realised I'd been holding. "Looks like we're all going on a little trip. You get to come with me to Doctor Daddy for a sleepover."
I glanced around my small home. The decorations I'd hung half-heartedly after Oscar left looked kind of lonely and sad now. Maybe I could convince Colter to let me decorate his place a bit more because he was definitely missing some holiday cheer in his house.
With that happy thought, I got up, packed up stuff, and got my babies loaded up in the car with all our baggage.
We were going to be staying with Daddy. For Christmas.
This holiday season might have started off sad and mopey, but things were certainly looking up.
Yup. It was time to face facts.
I was definitely falling in love with Doctor Daddy.