Chapter 6
Their dinner, Caden repeated to himself as he opened his freezer, checking for something quick to fix.
Thankfully, he enjoyed cooking and made large batches of dishes to freeze for nights he got home late or from missions and his fridge was empty.
He grabbed a container of a cheat meal and popped it in the microwave to heat.
To stay in top physical condition, Caden watched what he ate and paid attention to nutrition.
His twenties were long past. He couldn’t fuel his body with junk and expect the level of energy and strength he needed to survive on missions.
Considering Brooklyn’s slim build and the fact she’d skipped breakfast and lunch, he suspected she was not as healthy as she should be.
He definitely wasn’t a purist with only healthy food in his house. There had to be a balance.
“What do you usually eat?” he asked.
“I’m flexible. I like peanut butter. It’s super yummy on apples.” She stopped and sniffed. “Is that lasagna?”
“It is. Do you like Italian food?”
“I am a mozzarella fanatic. Lasagna rocks!”
“What else do you like?”
“Oh, I’ll eat anything.”
“Except carrots?” he reminded her.
“Oh, I’m not big on vegetables. Or fish. It’s too… fishy.”
Caden chuckled. “I’ll take you to my favorite fishing hole. There’s nothing like fresh fried catfish.”
Brooklyn wrinkled her nose, obviously not convinced. The beeping of the microwave interrupted their conversation. Caden poked at the lasagna and set it for ten more minutes.
“I’ll set the table,” Brooklyn volunteered.
“Thank you, little girl. The silverware is in that drawer, and the napkins are on the table.”
He poured milk into a glass for him and a sippy cup for Brooklyn as she completed her task in silence. Her expression was focused as she folded the napkins and arranged the forks on the correct side. He mentally noted the importance of including her in activities. She wanted to contribute.
When the microwave beeped for a second time, he dished up healthy sized portions for them both and carried them over to the table.
Normally, he’d eat a salad with such a heavy meal, but this lasagna was his own creation.
He’d tweaked the recipe to include zucchini noodles and the traditional ones and layered in veggies as well.
He hadn’t anticipated serving it to his little girl, but it would provide a lot of nutrients he suspected she rarely got.
“You drink a lot of milk,” she commented, taking a big drink from her cup.
“It’s good for me and you.”
“It would be better with chocolate added to it,” she suggested.
“That would be fun for a change,” he agreed, thanking Jerico’s suggestion that he include it in his order.
Koa, Jerico, and Zale had collaborated on what he should add.
Hank had come up with an idea that had made everyone stop and stare at him before each daddy pulled out their phone to make a note.
Caden had added those to his list as well.
Brooklyn took a small bite and chewed happily. “This is so good.” Her next bite was larger.
“I’m glad you like it,” Caden said, eating a forkful as she poked at the stacked dish. He kept his amusement from showing on his face as she discovered his additions to the traditional dish.
“What’s green in lasagna?” she asked.
“That recipe has zucchini and green peppers. It goes so well with the tomato sauce and cheese.” Caden wouldn’t try to fool her. That would only make her more hesitant to try things.
“I haven’t ever had those in this dish before.”
“What do you think?” he asked casually.
She took another bite and chewed. “Mmm. It’s good. I usually only like zucchini raw with ranch dressing as a dip, but smothered in cheese is tasty.”
“Awesome. I’m glad you like it.” Caden changed the subject to avoid a discussion of anything else she hadn’t discovered yet. “I don’t suppose you made me another picture for the refrigerator?”
“I thought about it,” she confessed.
“But the coloring books were in here,” he finished for her.
“Yes.” Brooklyn focused on her plate with a guarded look as if she were waiting for him to yell at her.
“Well, they’ll be there tomorrow while I’m at work. Would you color one for me if you have time in your play schedule?”
Her eyes flew up to meet his. The corners of her mouth curled upward as she figured out he wasn’t angry at her. “I’d love to.”
“Perfect. Tonight, I thought we’d deal with the food delivery after dinner and maybe watch a cartoon.”
“That sounds like fun. Isn’t there something you’d rather see, like the news or something?”
“I listened to the news on the way home. Are you interested in what’s going on in politics?” he asked.
Immediately, she shook her head. “No way. They just yell at each other and get angry.”
“Unfortunately, they do that a lot. We’ll stick to cartoons. Would you like Daddy to give you a bubble bath tonight?”
“Give me one?” she asked.
“Littles sometimes forget the bath part while they’re playing in the bubbles. I have some fun tub toys.”
“Oh.” She took three more bites of her lasagna before peeking up at him again. “I’ve never had a daddy before, but usually in books I’ve read…” Her voice trailed off as if she struggled to say something.
“Brookie, you can ask your daddy anything you wish.”
“You won’t laugh at me?”
“Only if you tell me a knock, knock joke,” he promised.
Caden noticed she’d stopped eating. He cut a piece of his lasagna and held it to her lips. Automatically, she opened her mouth for him to feed her. As she chewed, he tried to reassure Brooklyn.
“How about if I tell you the type of relationship I would like to have with my little girl? Then you can tell me if that matches what you’re interested in or not.”
She nodded eagerly.
“For me, being a daddy is both a nurturing emotional relationship and a physical one. I’m attracted to your little side as well as your beautiful adult body.”
Seeing her cheeks blush an adorable pink, he offered her another bite as he continued, “When I met you, I wanted to wrap you in cotton and whisk you away from any threat. As I spend time with you, kiss you, and hold you, I get the impression that maybe you’re attracted to me too.”
Brooklyn looked down at her plate and then back up at him. She nodded.
“You’re being so brave, little girl. I’m proud of you.”
Caden took a bite himself, giving her a chance to think. When she finished chewing, he held her sippy cup up to her lips. Obediently, she took a drink. “Good girl.”
The doorbell rang, and Brooklyn jumped to her feet. Caden wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her close. “You’re okay, sweetheart. That’s the delivery guy telling me everything is here. Come sit on Daddy’s lap and we’ll grab the bags in a few minutes.”
She eagerly climbed onto his thighs and leaned back against his chest. A warm sensation of rightness grew inside Caden’s chest. He loved holding her.
He pressed a kiss to her temple and stilled as Brooklyn turned her face to offer him her lips.
Caden gave her several butterfly-light kisses until she leaned into the exchange, silently requesting more. He was happy to indulge her.
Deepening his kisses, Caden’s desire for the precious woman escaped his ironclad control.
His tongue swept into her mouth, tasting the deliciousness that lingered from their dinner as well as her own tantalizing flavor.
He groaned into her mouth when Brooklyn threaded her fingers through his military-short hair.
Returning the favor, he tangled one hand in her silky brown tresses and tugged her head back slightly.
Her answering moan signaled to him she enjoyed his domination and perhaps a hint of pain. His cock hardened at the image of spanking Brooklyn’s bare bottom as she wiggled over his thighs. His fingers tightened in her hair, and to his delight she whispered, “Daddy, please.”
Lifting his head to make sure she wanted more, Caden loved the hungry expression on her face. “Are you okay, Brookie?”
“More kisses, please.”
Caden lowered his mouth to hers and allowed himself to kiss her with all the emotions and desire inside him. To his delight, she matched his longing, revealing her need for him. Before he lost total control, Caden forced himself to end the exchange.
“Daddy!” she protested.
“I know, sweetheart. Daddy plans to make love to you very soon. I feel our connection deeply too, but I don’t want to rush you. Once I make you mine, I’ll never let you go.”
She stared into his eyes for several long seconds before nodding. “I come with a lot of complications.”
“I can’t wait to discover everything about you. And sharing all I am,” he assured her.
“I’d love that, too.” Brooklyn hugged him tight. Caden rubbed her back, loving how well they fit together. He couldn’t imagine a more perfect little girl. She was his.
When she leaned back, he glanced at his empty plate. “Someone stole my dinner. How about if we work on this plate now?”
He alternated feeding the adorable Little in his arms and himself until they couldn’t eat another bite. “I think you like your daddy’s cooking.”
“Even if he sneaks vegetables in under the cheese,” she said with an impish wink.
“Sounds like a perfectly Daddy thing to do.” Caden swept her up in his arms and stood. He nibbled at that sensitive curve where her neck and shoulder met before setting Brooklyn on her feet. “Alright, my temptress, want to help me bring in the delivery?”
“Yes!”
When she rushed to the door, Caden called, “Let me open the door, little girl.” He checked the area outside before waving and picking up a couple of light bags for her to carry. “Put these on the island and we’ll unpack everything.”
“What are these, Daddy? They rattle!” She set them in the kitchen and pulled the first thing out. Looking at it skeptically, she said, “I think you got someone else’s order.”
“What is it?” Caden asked, following her with the other ten bags after locking the door behind him.
“There’s several baby bottles and wipes—you know, like for baby bottoms,” she reported, waving one bottle toward him to show him.
“Nope. This is my order. Do you like the cute animals on them?”
After checking out the pattern, Brooklyn whipped her head back up to stare at him. Her surprised expression enchanted him. “Did you get these for me?”
“I did. You enjoyed the sippy cups. I thought a bottle would be good for you before bed.”
Her gaze dropped back to the bottle and then over to the wipes in her other hand. “And these?” she whispered.
Caden set down the other packages on the island and tugged her into the circle of his arms. “How much do you understand about your little side?”
She shook her head slightly as if the question was too complex to process.
“It’s okay, Brookie. How about if we experiment and see what you enjoy the most?”
“You want me to wear diapers?” she asked, looking at him as if she expected to be pranked.
“Try them and see if your Little enjoys them. If you don’t, then we know they’re not for you.”
“Are they for you? I mean… Is this something you’d like your Little to use?” She focused with laser precision on his face, trying to read his expression.
“You are the most important component in this equation. I want to take care of you to the extent you need.”
“You’re not answering my question,” she pointed out.
“Sorry, sweetheart. I’ll be direct for you.
I have always been drawn to very little girls.
Even though it might be scary or embarrassing in the beginning, I’m asking you to be brave.
If diapers aren’t for you, I’ll get rid of them and we’ll never talk about this in the future if it’s a hard no for you. ”
“Can I think about it?”
“Of course. I think that’s a great idea. Shall we see what else is in here?” he suggested, changing the subject.
“Are those Popsicle makers?” she asked, pointing to plastic forms poking out of a bag.
“Yes. Hank, one of my teammates, suggested them.”
She froze and glanced up at him with a panicked expression. Caden could have kicked himself for spooking her.
“Do they know about these other things you ordered?” she asked, waving a hand over the items on the island.
“The food and drink items, yes. When I asked what juice they thought most people liked, Hank chimed in that he used to have these great Popsicle makers. He said grape and orange juices made the best frozen treats.”
“Oh,” she whispered as her fright lessened.
“I ordered some in case you might like to try them. What juice do you like best?”
“Grape first and orange is in second place.”
“Then I’m glad I ordered both juices. See what’s in that one,” he suggested, nodding at the next sack.
Watching her face became his favorite activity. Her expression shifted between excitement and revulsion. Broccoli, bad. Pizza rolls, good. Caden was satisfied that he’d blindly chosen a few things she was excited to have in the house.
When the items sat on the counter waiting to be put away, Caden suggested, “Let me turn on a cartoon for you while I find places for these goodies. I haven’t seen Fluffikins for a while. What does he like?”
Her mouth rounded in a perfect O as Brooklyn remembered her stuffie. “I’ll go get him.”
In a short while, she’d curled up on the couch with her bunny in her arms. After a short debate, she settled on an old cartoon series Caden remembered loving as a kid. From the rapt expression on her face, Brooklyn enjoyed it tremendously.