19. Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Nineteen
CLARE
I opened my eyes, knowing exactly where I was, and while I wanted to snuggle all day I needed to pee, so I tried to slide out without waking Daddy. “Where’re you off to?”
“I need the bathroom,” I whispered for some reason. Daddy got out of bed and I gazed at the hand he held out. “I—”
“I know you’re not ready for me to be in there while you pee, but I think you should have a Little day today—all day—so Daddy’s going to take you, and I’ll give you a few minutes of privacy while I pick out some clothes for my princess, then we’re going to see how hungry you are.”
I swallowed and came closer. “I’m very hungry, Daddy,” making it obvious I didn’t mean food. He smirked, then led me to the bathroom, and left me so I could have a moment. When he heard the toilet flush, he was back in, washing my hands and helping me brush my teeth. I went back into the bedroom to give him a couple of minutes and looked at the stuffies that were sharing our bed, and very carefully put them on the dresser. Then I turned them around because I had no intention of letting them watch. By the time Daddy came out of the bathroom I was back in bed, but naked.
And so ready.
His eyes darkened when he saw me, naked and waiting. "Princess," he said, his voice a low rumble. "What's this?"
I bit my lip, suddenly feeling shy despite my boldness moments before. "I don't want a Little day yet, Daddy. I want...I want you."
He approached the bed slowly, his gaze never leaving mine. "Are you sure, sweetheart? After everything that happened yesterday..."
I nodded, reaching for him. "I need to feel you. I need to know I'm yours."
Daddy sat on the edge of the bed, his hand gently cupping my face, careful of the bruise. "You are mine, Clare. Nothing will ever change that."
"Show me," I whispered. "Please."
His expression softened as he leaned down to kiss me, his lips gentle against mine. I wrapped my arms around his neck, pulling him closer, needing to feel his weight, his strength.
"I love you, princess," he murmured against my mouth. "But we can go slow. We have all the time in the world."
But I didn't want slow. I needed to erase the memory of Blakeny's hands on me, needed to replace fear with pleasure, terror with love. I tugged at his t-shirt impatiently.
Daddy pulled back just enough to remove his shirt, revealing the broad expanse of his chest. I ran my hands over his skin, feeling the steady beat of his heart beneath my palm.
"I love you too, Daddy," I whispered, the words coming naturally. "But I need you right now."
He searched my face, his eyes dark with desire but also concern. "Are you sure this is what you want?"
I nodded, my hands sliding down to the waistband of his shorts. "I've never been more sure of anything."
With a groan, he captured my mouth again, his kiss deeper this time, more urgent. His hands roamed my body, touching me with reverence, as if I were something precious. When his fingers slid between my folds, I gasped against his lips.
"So wet for me already," he murmured, his voice husky. "My beautiful princess."
I arched into his touch, my body responding instantly. "Please, Daddy. I need more."
He took his time, his fingers and mouth thoroughly exploring every inch of me until I was quaking with desperate need. He reached over to grab a condom, then when he finally positioned himself between my thighs, he paused, locking eyes with me. I tugged urgently at his arms, and he groaned deeply. “Princess,” he murmured, his voice thick with emotion. “How did I ever get so unbelievably lucky?”
With agonizing slowness and precision, he entered me, filling me completely, tearing a gasp from my lips. He remained motionless, allowing me time to adjust, his gaze intensely fixed on mine, but this princess didn’t have time for patience, and I rocked my hips. It was his turn to gasp. “Clare, I—”
Daddy was always careful. Always controlled. And I loved how he treated me like I was precious, but not now. Now I wanted what he was holding back. I wanted everything.
“Good,” I blurted out, desperation eating at me. And maybe it was that word, maybe it was what he heard in my voice, maybe it was that finally his iron control slipped, but whatever the reason, he was suddenly thrusting inside my body, and it was glorious. I could feel my orgasm building. “Daddy, don’t stop, just— yes ,” I shrieked as his fingers slid between us and found my clit. It wasn’t that he pushed me over the edge, it was more that he launched me into space.
“Daddy,” I panted, after realizing that we’d both fallen together. He nuzzled my neck, words seeming to fail him. He collapsed onto his back and took me with him, and I groaned as aftershocks flickered through me at the change in position as I lay sprawled on his chest.
I wasn’t sure I could ever move again. Not that I wanted to.
MADDOX
Clare was perfect, utterly perfect, but I was determined my princess would have a Little day so when I recovered, I started by running the bath.
When I returned to the bedroom, she was sitting up in bed, her hair adorably tousled, looking thoroughly satisfied. I couldn't help but smile at the sight. I’d brought a damp cloth to clean between her legs and she watched me with adorably soft eyes.
"Bath time, princess," I announced, holding out my hand to her.
She took it without hesitation, allowing me to lead her to the bathroom. The bruise on her cheek was darkening, a stark reminder of what she'd been through, but the light in her eyes told me she was healing in the ways that mattered most.
I helped her into the tub, chuckling as she immediately scooped up a handful of bubbles and blew them into the air.
"Lots of bubbles today, Daddy," she observed happily.
"Only the best for my princess," I replied, kneeling beside the tub. I poured warm water over her shoulders, watching her eyes close in contentment.
"Can we have pancakes for breakfast?" she asked, playing with the bubbles.
"Pancakes it is," I agreed, reaching for the shampoo. I knew she didn’t need her hair washed again, but I loved doing it for her and she didn’t seem to mind. "With strawberries and whipped cream?"
Her eyes lit up. "Yes, please! And chocolate chips?" she asked hopefully, giving me that sweet, pleading look I could never resist.
I chuckled, gently massaging shampoo into her hair. "And chocolate chips for my princess."
After her bath, I helped her into a pair of soft pink leggings and an oversized sweater with a unicorn on the front. She'd mentioned once that she loved unicorns but had never had any unicorn-themed clothing. I'd immediately ordered several pieces.
"Pretty!" she exclaimed, twirling in front of the mirror. "Thank you, Daddy. I love unicorns." I grinned, already planning on ordering lots more.
"You're welcome, sweetheart." I brushed her hair carefully, then secured it in a loose braid. "Ready for those pancakes now?"
She nodded eagerly, slipping her hand into mine as we headed downstairs. The house was quiet and secure—I'd made sure of that. Extra security measures had been implemented overnight, though I hadn't mentioned this to Clare. I wanted her to feel safe without being reminded of why such precautions were necessary.
In the kitchen, I lifted her onto one of the counter stools and began gathering ingredients while she watched, swinging her legs back and forth.
"Can I help, Daddy?" she asked.
"Absolutely. How about you measure the flour for me?" I placed a measuring cup and the flour canister in front of her.
She concentrated intently on filling the cup exactly right, her tongue poking out slightly between her lips. The sight filled me with such overwhelming tenderness that I had to take a moment to compose myself. How had this remarkable woman come into my life? How had I gotten so lucky?
"Perfect," I praised as she handed me the carefully measured flour. Her face lit up at my approval, and I couldn't resist leaning over to kiss her forehead.
We worked together, making a bit of a mess but having fun. When the first pancake was ready, I placed it on her plate, decorating it with strawberries, whipped cream, and chocolate chips to make a smiley face.
"It's too pretty to eat," she giggled, but proceeded to dig in anyway.
I watched her enjoy her breakfast, her happiness a balm to my soul after the terror of nearly losing her. When she looked up and caught me staring, she tilted her head. "What is it, Daddy?"
"Just thinking about how much I love you," I said honestly.
Her cheeks flushed pink. "I love you too, Daddy. Forever and ever."
Two days later, after Clare had woken up from her after-lunch nap, we were sitting in Gideon and Abby’s back yard. Gideon had spread a blanket on the grass and brought out some dolls for the girls to play with. Their dogs were all happily being fussed over, and Dion arrived with his two dogs, but they simply sat down and scanned the perimeter as if on guard duty.
The girls were busy enough that we felt we could safely talk. “How’s Emily?”
Dion sighed. “Checked out okay with the docs. She was lucky she’d only just been taken. Some of the others had been there a while.” I watched Dion as he looked at the girls and knew he was very interested in Emily, had been since we’d first heard about her, but we couldn’t let her know we’d been involved, so that kind of put a spanner in the works for him. I didn’t know how Dion was going to navigate that.
“What’s the plan for the women we got out?” I asked.
“I took a call from Chris in Denver,” Gideon said. “His partner is arranging relocation to various safe houses for the ones that don’t have family or income. He will cover medical costs and therapy, and I’ve offered financial assistance. Those who wish are being reunited with family.”
I nodded in relief. Officially, our friends owned a security company. But they also rescued vulnerable Littles that might fall through the cracks of the regular system. They’d been doing this for longer than us. In fact, it had been helping them out that had gotten us involved in the first place, but we were all definitely on board now.
“How’s Clare?” Dion asked, and I smiled as I watched her giggle over something Abby said.
“Remarkable,” I said honestly. Dion smiled, finished his beer, and stood up. His two dogs immediately did the same. He waved to the girls, then left. We watched him go.
“Have you heard from Walker?”
“He’s back in Destin. His gran raised him, as you know, but I think it’s just a case of keeping her comfortable now.”
I was surprised Gideon managed to get that bit of information out of him, and I was sorry for my friend. I noticed Clare yawning, which set Abby off and they both giggled. I fingered Clare’s popsie in my pocket, and knew Gideon had noticed his Little girl’s yawn because he stood up. Not that Abby did anything without Gideon noticing. I stood and followed him to the girls and Clare looked up and smiled. “Look Daddy, we made a daisy chain.” I reached out and pulled her to her feet, admiring her new daisy necklace.
“Time to go home, princess,” I said, brushing my lips over hers.
As I pulled her close, I felt a sense of contentment wash over me. We still had challenges ahead—Rice was still out there somewhere even running from the Bratva, and Clare's healing journey was far from complete. But in this moment, with her hand in mine and her eyes shining with trust and love, I knew we could deal with whatever came next.
"Home," Clare agreed, her voice soft and sure. "Our home."
We said our goodbyes to Abby and Gideon, promising to meet up again soon. As we walked back to our house, Clare's hand tucked securely in mine, she looked up at the evening sky, where the first stars were beginning to appear.
"Make a wish, Daddy," she said, pointing to a particularly bright one.
I gazed down at her, this extraordinary woman who had fought through so much darkness. Who had faced her greatest fear and emerged stronger. Who had chosen to share her life, her heart, her vulnerability with me. I would give her the world when she was ready for it.
"I don't need to," I told her honestly. "I already have everything I could wish for."
Clare stood on tiptoes to kiss me, her daisy chain tickling my neck as she wrapped her arms around me.
"Me too, Daddy," she whispered against my lips. "Me too."