Chapter 22
Chapter Twenty-Two
Kendrick stood at the door, watching Samantha walk outside with Athena and the others as they headed to their cars.
He believed what Athena had said and had no doubt she wanted to give Samantha a card with the nursery’s info. But there was something else to it. She wanted to tell Samantha something, too. He knew Athena well enough to know the wheels had been turning in her mind.
What was it about? Was it the same suspicion he had—that Samantha was hiding something?
It wasn’t any of his business. He even felt strange about leaning against the doorjamb and watching, so he pushed off it and retreated to the den where he poured himself a drink at the bar.
Ace and Matteo were at the pool table, playing a game.
“What’s on your mind?” Ace asked as he sent the cueball toward the colorful triangle of striped and solids.
“Can’t a fella just have a drink when he wants one?” Kendrick asked.
“Oh yeah. We have some, too.” Ace leaned his pool cue against the wall and picked up the glass of amber liquid that sat on a tall bar table positioned just a couple feet away from the billiards table.
He took a sip, and then in his best Dean Martin voice said, “Any time is a good time for a little drinky-poo as far as I’m concerned. ”
Kendrick toasted him. “Hey, that’s pretty good. Sing something.”
After another sip, Ace took off with a rendition of Everybody Loves Somebody Sometimes.
“You do a talking Dino better than a singing Dino,” Matteo chimed in. “Why not just turn on the real thing?”
“I’m on it,” Kendrick said, shuffling through the music on his phone. A moment later, Dean Martin’s velvety baritone came on, singing Blue Christmas.
Matteo and Ace went back to their pool game, while Kendrick stood against the bar, sipping on his bourbon, pondering the mystery that was Samantha.
Keeping his voice low, just in case she walked in, he said, “My cutie is perfect. But I suspect there’s something going on.”
The guys stopped playing pool and looked at him.
“As in, she needs help from the Daddy Guard?” Matteo asked.
Kendrick reflected on that question for a moment. “I don’t know. Can’t tell yet. I don’t think it’s a dangerous situation like Annika was in.”
Matteo looked relieved. He’d gone through hell worrying about the woman who would become his precious little girl. Kendrick knew he didn’t wish that upon anyone.
“So what’s your next move?” Ace asked.
A few moments passed while Kendrick savored a couple of sips from the glass in his hand. “I think I’ll let it ride. For now. I just want to create the type of environment where she feels safe and comfortable. If and when the time comes that she needs to tell me something, I’ll be ready.”
Matteo bobbed his head. “You’re a good Daddy.”
“I guess I’m not technically her Daddy yet.”
“Really?” Matteo clearly wasn’t convinced.
Neither was Kendrick.
Before any of the men could say something else, Samantha came into the den. “Hi. Do you need help with the kitchen?”
“Nah. I cleaned as I cooked, so really all we had to do was put our plates and glasses in the dishwasher. Threw the lasagna and bread pans in there, too. And Jack and Isaiah insisted on doing all that so I could be with you.” Kendrick placed his glass on the bar and walked to her.
“Oh?” Samantha asked. The question had a suggestive ring to it. So did the look in her eyes.
Desire swirled deep within Kendrick. He’d been around some beautiful women before. And yeah, he’d dated. He wasn’t exactly a novice when it came to relationships. But he’d never been in the presence of a woman who moved him the way Samantha did.
She was a force of nature. A tidal wave wrecking his soul.
He freaking loved it.
Could he also love her? Already?
He’d figure all that out later. Right now, he had his cutie with him. That was all that mattered.
“Where did the other girls go?” she asked him.
He feigned deep offense. “You want to hang out with them?”
Samantha giggled. “I didn’t say that. Just curious.”
“They’re up getting changed. They want to watch a Christmas movie after that. Do you want to watch with them?”
“Well… I kind of want to… this is going to sound weird.”
“Honey, this is a mansion inhabited by Littles, Daddies, and a secret organization sworn to protect the ageplay community. I don’t think anything you say can sound weird.”
This drew a hearty laugh from her. “Fair enough.” Still, she looked a little sheepish as she explained what she had in mind.
“Could we go for a walk? It’s so nice outside and the stars are just perfect!
But I never feel safe walking in my neighborhood alone.
Here, though, and with you… well, I figured it’s all good. ”
He took her hand in his. “I think that’s a perfect idea.”
A few minutes later, they’d left the mansion behind and were walking around the block.
They stopped in front of the St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church that was next to the mansion. It stood majestically on the corner of Adams and S. Figueroa, towering high above the palm trees that dotted the immaculate landscape.
A large Nativity was in the yard, but the manger was empty.
“Hey, someone stole Baby Jesus!” Samantha said.
Holding her hand tightly, Kendrick leaned over and kissed the top of her head—a feat he could easily accomplish since he was about a foot taller than she was.
“No. It’s tradition. The manger is empty during Advent until Christmas Eve.”
“Oh!” She laughed. “I should have known that.”
“Hey, I’m not Catholic. It was a new tradition to me. Isaiah explained it.”
“He’s Catholic?”
“Episcopalian. Close enough. Matteo is Catholic, but he’s never explained the traditions to me.”
The couple admired the Nativity, as well as the lit wreaths that hung on the church’s beautiful doors before they started walking again.
They only went a few feet before Kendrick realized the direction they were heading.
“Let’s go the other way, back toward the mansion but we’ll keep walking.
That’ll take us into the neighborhood and there are some houses with pretty lights and decorations I want to show you. ”
They walked in silence for a while. It wasn’t uncomfortable by any means. In fact, it felt right. As if they could simply exist in each other’s spaces. Words weren’t necessary.
Stopping in front of a house that had red and white icicle lights hanging from it, Samantha said, “Whoa! That’s the coolest! Those lights even change color!”
They watched the long lights go from red to white and then back again several times.
“Want to hear something that makes me sound lame?”
Kendrick squeezed her hand a little tighter. “I want to hear anything you want to share.”
He had the impression something was on her mind, that maybe she’d suggested this little walk so she could clear the air about something. There was no reason to rush her, though. She would share whenever she was ready.
“I never once saw Christmas lights in Kentucky. Not on a house. One time, the tiny town I’m from strung a few strands up outside the courthouse, but it didn’t amount to much.
Still, I thought it was the coolest thing I’d ever seen.
And I vowed one day I would go see lights somewhere fancy. A place that did it up big!”
He kissed her hand. “And where did you go?”
“Nowhere yet. But I’m here tonight, seeing these lights. And they’re beautiful.”
“You’re beautiful,” he said. He turned to the side, directed her to do the same until she was facing him, and then put his arms around her waist to draw her close.
The kiss was powerful and hungry. Kendrick didn’t want it to end, but knew he couldn’t stand there on the sidewalk, kissing her all night.
So, eventually, he stopped, kissed her forehead and then the top of her head, before they continued walking.
“You work tomorrow, huh?”
“A double,” she confirmed.
“You think we could see each other after?”
“Uh-huh. I sure hope so. That is, if you want to.”
He chuckled.
“What?” she inquired.
“Honey, if I had my way, you wouldn’t be going to work tomorrow. You’d be with me all day. So, yes… I want to see you. Any chance I get.”
This time it was her who squeezed his hand tighter, and the sensation nearly made the tall, strong man melt into a puddle right there on the sidewalk.
His little sweetie had a powerful hold on him.
He didn’t think that story about the Christmas lights was what she’d originally wanted to talk to him about, though. There was still something there—something simmering just below the surface.
Perhaps soon she’d feel comfortable enough to share.
It was Daddy’s job to make sure she did. She’d learn how safe she was in his presence. Samantha would know that she could go to Daddy with anything.
Right now, they strolled casually until they reached a house that was covered in lights. The yard was even illuminated. Inflatables were there, too, including Santa in his sleigh, Snoopy on top of his doghouse all decked out for the holidays, and a giant reindeer.
The sound of Samantha’s giggling was the sweetest thing to ever reach Kendrick’s ears.
“I’m seeing it! Those lights I’ve always wanted to! They’re right here!”
Standing behind her, he wrapped his arms around her tightly, rested his chin atop her head, and gently swayed her as they looked at the festive display.
“I’m glad, sweetie. But are you off work the day after tomorrow?"
He figured she was trying to remember, because it took her a few moments to answer. “Yeah. I think so.”
“Good.” He kissed her ear and nibbled on it for a couple of seconds. She scrunched her neck and laughed quietly. Once he was finished—for now—he said, “I’m going to take you to see some other lights. I have a surprise. And I think you’re going to love it.”
He could practically feel the excitement radiating off her body. Her cute little squeals reiterated it, too.
Clearly, she was comfortable with him. Yet she still didn’t tell him whatever was on her mind.
Soon, he thought. She will soon.
Until then, I’ll just hold her close and let her know that she can come to Daddy with anything…