Chapter 21
Chapter Twenty-One
Annika couldn’t believe she’d shared everything with Matteo and the others.
It was the right thing to do, though. They deserved the truth. Plus, they were risking their lives by harboring her. Edward Marlot was a vindictive man. Once crossed, he’d stop at nothing until he exacted revenge.
The rest of the world didn’t see that. They saw a handsome billionaire who frequently captured the imagination of the press and the hearts of the people around the globe.
That was all carefully coordinated.
Clean drinking water initiatives. School funding. STEM program sponsorships. Marlot knew how to project a good image.
What lay behind that facade was a different story.
What was done was done, she told herself, as Matteo carried her upstairs and to her bedroom. He and the others were involved now.
Resting her head on his shoulder, she said, “I’m sorry I brought this to you all. I didn’t mean to put you in danger. I can go now, if you’d like.”
Daddy placed her feet on the floor, kissed her forehead, and said, “You’re not going anywhere, little one. You’re home now. This is where you belong. And I’m not sorry about any of this. You need help. We’re going to get this monkey off your back. One way or another.”
Annika didn’t have to ask what Daddy meant by that last part. She had no doubt he would move heaven and earth for her. And forcefully take down anyone that got in his way.
She hadn’t known Matteo long. But somehow, she just knew Daddy would do anything to protect his babygirl.
She hugged him tightly again.
Still, worry surged through her.
“He has a lot of resources. I mean, he’s the richest man on the planet.”
Matteo chortled. “So, we’re going to see what happens when the richest man in the world clashes with the toughest man in the world. Should be fascinating.”
Annika giggled but quickly realized Daddy wasn’t joking.
She also realized she hadn’t let go of him. Could she?
His muscles felt so good beneath her hands as she gripped his big arms. Her right hand traced his bulging triceps, going up his sleeve and to his shoulders. Working her way to his back, she kneaded the knotty bulges, the sharpness of his jagged body taking her breath away.
“You’re giving me an idea,” he said suggestively. “Something I was meaning to talk to you about anyway.”
“What’s that?” she asked, the words barely registering as her mind focused on the hard-packed landscape she was exploring.
“You’re sleeping with me tonight, sweet girl. And every night from now on.”
She didn’t have time to respond before his lips smashed into hers and took a kiss from her.
The kiss left her panting. Her chest rose and fell in excited and nervous palpitations.
“We need to go downstairs and eat dinner,” he stated. “But… I just had to hold you first. I needed my sweet girl in my arms.”
“Daddy,” she whimpered.
“Yes, sweetpea?”
“I’ve never… done any of that.”
Hot embarrassment burned through her. How pathetic did she sound? Was she the only virgin her age? It was so humiliating! She wanted to please Daddy but didn’t really even have an idea how to start.
Matteo scooped her into his arms and was already carrying her out of her room and across the hall to his when he spoke again.
“Don’t worry, my love. There’s plenty of time. We have forever for Daddy to teach you everything…”
Annika was speechless.
Unclothed, Daddy’s body was even bigger and harder than she’d imagined. His shoulders were giant, like rugged mountains—the tallest peaks in some rocky chain that towered over everything in their shadows.
His arms were massive, yet defined. His chest was the same.
It was as if someone had sculpted him. For a moment, she thought he was less of a man and more of a work of art, but that would imply he was perhaps fragile or only to be looked at.
That was not Matteo.
He exuded toughness. There wasn’t anything that could break him. It seemed as if he owned the very space around him. As if the world was his.
Below the waist, things were even more impressive.
His rod hung halfway down his thigh. It was thick and veiny. Annika couldn’t help but stare as it dangled and swung with his movements.
Oh shit! Daddy was going to rip her up. Break her in in the best ways.
Mmm.
But could she take it?
That thing wasn’t even hard yet and already it scared her.
What would she do when it split her wide open?
“Daddy. You’re going to have to… hold me down.”
“Don’t worry, princess. We’ll start slow. And when the time comes, Daddy will try his best not to hurt you.”
He caressed her face before moving his hand to the back of her head. He forced her forward until their lips met.
“Daddy needs to get his sweetpea out of those clothes.”
While he undressed her, Annika thought briefly about how strange it was. Just a few minutes ago, she’d been terrified to think about Edward Marlot. Now, he was nothing but a distant memory. She felt so safe in Daddy’s presence. Nothing could get to her when she was shielded by him.
The entire world could storm the mansion. A barrage of rage and fire could assault them.
Somehow, she’d come out unscathed.
Because Daddy.
At some point, while lost in thought, Annika had reached out and took hold of Daddy’s rod. She didn’t even realize it was in her hands until she felt it pulsating against her palm.
She exhaled sharply.
Gosh, it was so heavy. Her little hand had trouble even fitting around it. Her thumb couldn’t meet her fingers.
And she was somehow supposed to take that inside her?
An odd mixture of fear and excitement coursed through her body, and she shuddered as she thought of parting her legs to receive him.
It wasn’t time for that yet, though. She didn’t have the courage built up.
She knew it would come, though. There wasn’t anything she couldn’t do with Daddy by her side.
Or on top of her.
The thought made her giggle.
“What are you thinking about, little one?” Matteo asked.
She tightened her grip on his cock and pumped it several times. “This. Am I doing it right, Daddy?”
“Yes, princess. Perfect. But Daddy really wants to get you out of those clothes.”
She dutifully raised her arms and allowed Daddy to slide her nightie over her head.
Bashfulness overtook her as she realized her pink lacy panties were the only thing keeping her from being completely exposed before Daddy.
Lots of insecurities swam through her mind.
She was so skinny. Would Daddy find her body disgusting?
There were some scrapes and scars. Living on the streets wasn’t easy.
Would he think of her still as dirty? Sure, she’d bathed multiple times since coming to the mansion, but perhaps she was forever tainted.
She needn’t worry about any of that. Daddy was kissing her neck, the sensation making her scrunch it up, while his hands worked down her sides.
Clearly, Matteo thought his little girl was just fine.
Annika moaned as his lips made their way to her breasts. He sucked in her right nipple. Her body went rigid. Arching her back, she threw her head back and released a cry of ecstasy.
Wetness began to pool between her legs.
Matteo went to her left nipple and took it between his lips. He pulled on this one a bit harder. Now, Annika was on the verge of losing it. Her legs trembled.
And when his hand reached up and tweaked her right side while his mouth and tongue explored her left, she almost melted onto the bed.
“Lay down, sweet girl. Daddy needs a little appetizer before the main course.”
The suggestive look in his eyes told her exactly what Daddy had in mind.
And it was going to be wonderful.