Chapter 4 #3
"Will still be here when you wake up. Sleep, sweetheart. You're safe."
The last thing I remember is his arms around me and the sound of his heartbeat steady beneath my ear.
When I wake up, the movie is over and there's a soft blanket draped over me.
Tyler is still holding me, scrolling through his phone with his free hand.
"Hey," I mumble, disoriented.
"Hey, sleepy girl. Feel better?"
"What time is it?"
"Almost five. You slept for two hours."
"Two hours?!" I sit up, panicked. "I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to—"
"Hey." He pulls me back down. "Don't apologize. You needed sleep. I'm glad you felt comfortable enough to actually rest."
"But I wasted our afternoon—"
"You didn't waste anything. Watching you sleep peacefully, knowing you trusted me enough to let your guard down? That's not a waste. That's a gift."
My throat tightens. "Tyler—"
"I mean it. You work so hard, Chloe. You take care of everyone. But you don't let anyone take care of you. Today, you did. You let me make you lunch and hold you while you slept."
"I don't know how to do this. How to let someone take care of me."
"Then I'll teach you. One day at a time. One small step at a time. Starting with dinner. I'm making spaghetti. You're going to sit at the counter and tell me about your week while I cook." I’m beginning to think Tyler only likes one type of food. I stifle a giggle.
"I can help—"
"Nope. You're going to sit and let me feed you. That's Daddy's job."
There's that word again. Daddy. Coming so naturally from his lips.
"Okay... Daddy."
His eyes darken with approval. "Such a good girl. Come on."
He leads me to the kitchen, settling me on a bar stool while he starts cooking.
I watch him move around the space with the same controlled efficiency he brings to everything. He chops vegetables, stirs sauce and cleans up as he goes, leaving no mess behind.
"Tell me about the shop," he says. "How was business this week?"
"Good. We had a big order for a corporate meeting. Twenty lattes and forty pastries."
"That's great. Did you charge them appropriately?"
I hesitate. "I gave them a discount. For being a big order."
He looks at me over his shoulder. "How much of a discount?"
"Twenty percent?"
"Chloe." His voice holds gentle reproach. "You can't keep undervaluing your work."
"I was trying to be nice—" And I want them to come back.
"Being nice is wonderful. Giving away your profit isn't. You work hard on those pastries. Your time and skill have value." He points the spatula at me. "Next time someone wants a big order, you charge full price. Or if you want to offer a discount, it's ten percent maximum. Understood?"
"Yes, Daddy."
The words slip out before I can think about them.
Tyler's eyes flash with something hot and intense. "Say that again."
"Yes, Daddy," I repeat, quieter this time.
"Good girl." He returns to cooking, but I can see the tension in his shoulders. The way his jaw clenches. "You have no idea what it does to me when you call me that."
"What does it do?"
"Makes me want to throw you over my shoulder and carry you to my bedroom to show you exactly what Daddy can do for his good girl."
Heat floods through me. My thighs clench involuntarily.
"But we're not there yet," he continues, his voice strained. "You're not ready. And I'm not going to rush you."
"What if I want to be rushed?"
He turns to face me fully. "Do you? Really? Or are you just responding to the chemistry between us?"
I think about it honestly. "Both?"
"Then we'll take our time. Build trust first. Make sure this is really what you want before we take that step.
" He comes around the counter, standing in front of me.
"I'm not going anywhere, Chloe. We have time.
All the time in the world." He seals his words with a kiss. Soft and sweet and full of promise.
We eat dinner at his small dining table, and the conversation flows easily. He tells me about his plans to visit his kids next month. I tell him about my dreams of maybe opening a second location someday.
"You should," he says. "You're good at creating a space people love."
"It's scary though. What if I fail?"
"What if you succeed?" He reaches across the table. "Don't let fear stop you from chasing your dreams, sweetheart."
By the time I need to leave, it's almost eight.
Tyler helps me pack up Mochi and her supplies, then drives me home.
"Can I see you tomorrow?" he asks as we stand outside my apartment.
"I'd love that. But you already came to the shop this morning."
"I meant after. When you close. We could grab dinner. Or I could come here and we could order in."
"You want to spend two days in a row with me?"
"Sweetheart, I want to spend every day with you. But I'm trying to pace myself. Not scare you off."
I rise on my tiptoes and kiss him. "You're not scaring me off. And yes. Dinner tomorrow sounds perfect."
"Good. I'll pick you up at seven."
"It's a date."
"It's definitely a date." He kisses me again, deeper this time. When we break apart, we're both breathing hard. "Go inside before I forget I'm trying to take this slow."
I float into my apartment, Mochi in her carrier, my heart so full it might burst.
My phone buzzes the second I close the door.
Tyler: Thank you for today and for letting me take care of you.
Chloe: Thank you for taking care of me.
Tyler: Always, sweetheart. Now eat something before bed. And text me when you're safely tucked in.
Chloe: Yes, Daddy
Tyler: Good girl. Sweet dreams.
I check on Mochi, make myself a snack because Daddy said to, then change into pajamas.
Before climbing into bed, I grab my new stuffed kitten and my travel mug, setting them on my nightstand where I can see them.
Reminders that this is real.
That Tyler is real.
That I finally found someone who sees me exactly as I am and wants to take care of me anyway.
I text the group chat one more time before sleep.
Chloe: I think I'm falling in love with him.
Madison: Of course you are. That's how this works.
Lily: Enjoy it. Savor it. You deserve this.
Holly: We're so happy for you, babe.
Emily: I knew Tyler was special. I'm so glad you're letting yourself have this.
I send Tyler a photo of me in bed with Mr. Snuggles and the new kitten plushie.
Chloe: All tucked in, Daddy.
Tyler: Perfect. Sleep well, my sweet girl. I'll see you tomorrow.