Chapter 12
CHAPTER TWELVE
Tanner pulled up to Rainbow’s Edge the next afternoon. He’d given Junie the morning to rest after everything they’d put each other through last night, but he needed to make sure she was as all right as she’d assured him when he’d taken her home.
Tanner knocked once on the front door, then let himself in like he had a hundred times growing up.
The house smelled warm and inviting now—freshly baked cookies, vanilla, and that faint hint of paint and crayons that always clung to Miss Belle.
A far cry from the rotten food and stale whiskey it used to smell like when they were kids.
“Miss Belle?” he called out softly.
The pint-sized woman came bustling around the corner, her bouncy blonde curls springing with every step and her bright floral cardigan swaying. The second she saw him, her face lit up like Christmas morning.
“Tanner Daniels! Well, aren’t you a sight for sore eyes!”
Before he could say a word, Belle threw her arms around his waist and squeezed him tight, the top of her head barely reaching his chest. She smelled like sugar cookies and sunshine.
“Oh, it’s so good to see you, sweetheart,” she said, pulling back and patting his cheek like he was still ten years old. “Come on in, come on in. I’ve got the kettle on.”
Tanner followed her down the hallway, his boots quiet on the worn floorboards as she chattered away.
“I swear, every time you walk through that door you look more like your daddy. Handsome as ever. How’s that big ranch of yours treating you? And that sweet Junie girl of yours—she’s been having quite the day.”
She led him toward the sunroom at the back of the house, the sound of soft giggles and plastic toys clinking together growing louder. The warm afternoon light poured through the big windows, casting everything in a golden glow.
Belle paused at the doorway and lowered her voice with a conspiratorial little smile. “She’s deep in her Little space right now. I think seeing her favorite cowboy is exactly what she needs to go even deeper.”
Tanner’s chest tightened with that familiar protective warmth as he looked into the sunroom and saw Junie sitting cross-legged on a big quilt spread across the floor, surrounded by a colorful explosion of Lego bricks scattered everywhere.
Nibbles sat propped up like the guest of honor right next to two other well-loved stuffies he’d seen her carry around.
Thank fuck there were at least a few happy memories from her childhood.
A half-built castle leaned precariously beside her, towers wobbling like they might tumble any second.
She had a bright pink water bottle in one hand and was happily munching on potato chips with the other, humming under her breath while she tried to snap two bricks together between sips and bites.
Pup sat beside her, happily licking up any crumbs that missed Junie’s shirt and fell to the floor.
Apricot curls had slipped loose from whatever tie she had used that morning.
She looked so small. So soft. So completely his.
His chest tightened in a way that had nothing to do with the long drive over.
This was the side of her most people never got to see.
The real Junie, unguarded and lost in play, trusting the world enough to let her walls drop.
He stood there a moment longer than he should have, just watching the way her little tongue poked out in concentration and how her shoulders relaxed with every successful click of plastic.
She had no idea he was there yet, and that felt like a gift.
Like he’d walked in on a secret that belonged only to him.
Miss Belle gave his arm a gentle squeeze. “Go on, honey. She’s been waiting for her Daddy,” she said, then she headed back toward the kitchen.
She was coming home with him as soon as he made sure he wasn’t on her “friend shelf” anymore.
Last night, he had felt a storm of things about her: furious at the risks she had taken, possessive as hell, turned on so bad it ached.
That session in the playroom had shifted everything between them in the right direction, but this was still delicate. He needed to handle it with care.
Looking at her right now, surrounded by her Legos and stuffies, he knew without a doubt the woman needed a Daddy, and that Daddy was going to be him.
The way she had come alive under his hand in the playroom stayed burned into his mind.
She’d taken her punishment like a good girl, then melted into his arms when he comforted her afterward.
It felt so damn right. Of course, he hadn’t said a word about how wet he was willing to bet she’d gotten during that spanking if her whimpers, her blushing cheeks, and her squirming were any indication, or how hard his cock had throbbed against her belly while he held her.
Not yet. Until their relationship stood crystal clear, he’d wait.
This was the real Junie sitting in front of him. The one she tried so hard to hide from the rest of the world. And he wanted every single piece of her. The brave, stubborn woman. The sweet, playful Little girl. All of her.
Stepping just inside the doorway, he cleared his throat softly so he wouldn’t scare her. “Hey, Cupcake.”
Junie startled, nearly dropping her water bottle.
Those ice-blue eyes went wide when she saw him filling the doorway.
For a second she looked like she might scramble to hide the Legos and stuffies, but then her shoulders relaxed.
A shy smile tugged at her lips, and potato chip dust still clung to the corners of her mouth.
“Hi, Daddy,” she whispered.
The word slipped out so naturally, it hit him straight in the gut. His cock twitched hard in his jeans. Hearing it from her lips, soft and certain like that, nearly undid him. He had to lock his knees to keep from crossing the room and pulling her into his arms right then.
Instead, he stepped inside slowly, careful not to spook her further. “Hey, babygirl, looks like you’ve been having a good afternoon.”
She ducked her head a bit, but that smile stayed.
Her fingers still clutched one red Lego brick like it was a lifeline.
He took in the whole scene again: the half-built castle, Nibbles standing guard, the bright sippy cup, Pup looking between the two as if wondering if one might drop a snack.
She looked so small and perfect there on the quilt, his to protect, his to guide, his to love.
He crouched down beside so he stayed at her level, reaching out to scratch behind Pup’s ears. “What’s all this, little baker?”
Her eyes flicked up to his, a mix of nerves and hope shining in them. He held her eyes in a steady gaze, letting her see he really wanted to know. He was a Daddy after all. He loved pretending.
“Building a castle,” she said proudly, holding up a wobbly tower. “For Nibbles and Sir Fluffington, Princess Sparkle, and Pup.”
Tanner bit back a grin. She looked so damn pleased with herself, all bright eyes and messy hair. He reached over and gently took the water bottle from her hand, then plucked the bag of chips from her lap. “This isn’t much of a lunch, Cupcake. Daddy’s gonna fix you something better.”
She pouted. Actually pouted, bottom lip pushed out and everything. “But I like chips.”
“You’ll like what I make more.” He stood and offered her his hand. “Come on, Cupcake. Let’s go to the kitchen.”
Junie slipped her small hand into his and let him pull her up.
She stayed deep in Little space, her movements softer, her voice pitched higher.
It did dangerous things to his control. Every part of him wanted to wrap her up tight, keep her right there in that headspace where she felt safe enough to let him lead.
A fierce wave of protectiveness rolled through him.
This woman had been through enough. She did not need to handle life alone anymore, not when he could wrap her up, keep her safe, and give her every bit of structure and care she craved.
He wanted her at his ranch, where he could watch over her, where she could slip into this headspace whenever she needed, without a single worry.
She’d even have Kenzie, Joy, and Kip to play with.
Pup trotted after them as they walked into the kitchen together, and the warm, sweet scent of baking cookies wrapped around them immediately. Miss Belle was humming softly at the counter, her colorful cardigan sleeves rolled up as she spooned dough onto a baking sheet.
“Well, look at my two favorite people,” Belle said brightly, glancing over her shoulder with a warm smile. “I thought I’d whip up some chocolate chip cookies for dessert. Nothing adds to a big day like fresh-baked cookies.”
Tanner gave her a grateful nod. “Appreciate it, Miss Belle.”
Junie stayed tucked close to his side, one hand fisting the side of his shirt as she peeked at the cookie dough with big, curious eyes.
She tried to help prepare lunch right away, stretching up on her toes to reach for a knife so she could cut fruit.
He caught her wrist gently but firmly before she could grab it.
“Uh-uh. It’s Daddy’s turn to play chef. You sit right there and keep me company.”
She huffed, a soft sound that made him want to smile and swat her bottom at the same time, but she climbed onto one of the tall stools at the island and swung her legs. “I can help.”
“I know you can, babygirl, but this time let me take care of you.” He already had the fridge open, pulling out cheese, grapes, apple slices, and a container of her favorite flavored water.
He arranged everything on a bright plate, making it look fun and colorful.
Then he set it in front of her and raised an eyebrow. “Eat, little girl.”
Junie poked at a grape like it might bite her back. “It looks sour,” she said, but popped it in her mouth anyway. Her eyes lit up. “This is really good.”
“Told you.” He leaned across the island and tapped her nose. “Daddy knows best.”