Chapter 9 #2
Street picked up the bottle and squeezed a large amount onto her plate, drawing a gasp from her lips. “Crap. I don’t know my own strength. Will you help me eat this?”
“Sure,” she answered immediately and dipped her piece fully into the mixture. A bit of mustard clung to the corner of her mouth as she chewed and squirmed happily in her chair. “This is really good. You’re an awesome cook. I suck at preparing anything that tastes edible. Maybe you can teach me?”
“We’ll bake cookies together sometime, Dinorosa. I make killer monster cookies.”
“My mom used to treat us to chocolate chip ones from that tube of dough. I liked to eat the stuff raw.”
Street would order the ingredients for them to stir together.
He wanted to create good memories with her to replace what he suspected were crappy childhood experiences.
She didn’t realize yet, but she had a new family now.
Perhaps tomorrow the MC gathering would be the first step in assuring Rosa that her life would be different.
Watching her douse her food in the yellow sauce with such joy both made his heart hurt and his resolve strengthen to take the best care of her. He would search for a recipe including mustard to prepare for her next week. One of his brothers would drive a truck to pick up a grocery order for him.
“You aren’t eating. Is everything okay?” she asked, worry lines stretching across her forehead.
“I knew I was forgetting something,” he joked and lifted a quesadilla piece to his mouth. Taking a big bite, he chewed enthusiastically.
“You forgot the mustard. Try it.”
“What am I thinking?” Street dipped the next morsel purposefully. “Yum! You are so right. Much better.”
“Don’t talk with your mouth full, Daddy,” she said with an enchanting twinkle in her eyes.
Damn, she was going to steal his heart. Like she hadn’t already.
“Are you okay after Pirate’s news?” Street asked, watching her carefully.
“I don’t really believe it, but that’s great.” Rosa shrugged and dipped her quesadilla before changing the subject. “How long did it take you to learn how to drive a forklift?”
He explained how he’d noticed the warehouses needed more forklift drivers and researched classes. A light kindled in her gaze. His Little girl was ready for a better life.
After dinner, Rosa curled up on the couch.
Street chose a recently released animated movie to show his Little girl and her stuffie.
The dancing animal characters drew deep belly giggles from Rosa repeatedly.
Watching her carefree and happy affected Street deeply.
He resolved to hear that joyful sound more in the future.
“Come here, Little girl,” he urged and tugged her onto his lap, wrapping his arms around her.
Rosa’s skin was cool to the touch. Immediately, he leaned over to open the drawer of the end table and pulled out the crinkly paper-wrapped package he’d stuffed in there after the ceremony welcoming him into the MC.
Not only had he received an official Devil Daddies MC cut, but Lucien had given him an embroidered blanket with the MC logo.
The members had congratulated him and wished him speedy luck in finding his Little girl to share the soft throw with.
They cautioned Street that he’d only receive the one.
Street didn’t understand why he was so confident that she was his Little girl, but deep in his belly, he had zero doubts he could care about anyone more than this petite woman who had rescued him and turned his life upside down.
With his arms wrapped around her, Street tore open the packaging and draped the fabric over her lap.
Rosa tugged a corner up to her face and rubbed her cheek against it. “So soft. Thank you,” she whispered.
Watching her enjoy the fuzzy comfort reinforced his conviction that she matched perfectly with him. “It’s yours, Dinorosa. You’re part of the MC with me.”
She beamed at him and tucked the fabric under her chin. Street held his breath, waiting to see if she would panic as she had when he’d secured the covers around her. Rosa’s eyes blinked heavily as she struggled to stay awake.
“Ready to go to bed, Little girl?” he asked.
“No, Daddy. I love this movie. Inky needs to find out what happens.”
With only twenty minutes left in the film, Street allowed her to continue watching.
Drifting off for short periods at different points during the animation, she never appeared to feel threatened. The blanket didn’t trigger her past trauma. Instead, the warm fabric soothed and protected Rosa.
When the movie finally ended, Street announced, “Bedtime, Little girl.” He picked her up and carried her toward his bed.
“Daddy! I still have your blanket,” she said, holding the edge out for him to see.
“I thought you might want to warm up with your Devil Daddies’ blanket in bed.”
“I don’t use covers,” she reminded him.
“That one isn’t heavy. Maybe that blanket will feel good on your skin.”
Rosa gave him a skeptical look but allowed him to drape the throw loosely over her as she stretched out on her side. “This is nice,” she said, tracing the stitching on the edge.
“I’m glad you like it. Toss the blanket on the floor if it bothers you. Okay?”
“I’ll be quiet.”
“No, you won’t. If you’re scared, you wake up Daddy right away.”
She nodded after studying his face. “Thanks, Daddy. I’ll try it.”
Her willingness to risk using the cover pleased him. Street mentally crossed his fingers, hoping she’d sleep soundly. “That’s my good girl.”