Her Daddy's Jewel (MC Daddies Book 5) Page 19
A flush filled her. Longing tinged with embarrassment. She couldn’t just let go of her adult side that easily.
“I’m not sure I can do this.”
He tapped her nose. “Won’t know unless you try. Don’t like it, we don’t have to keep going. But you have to try.”
That was all he was asking. And she wasn’t one to fall over at the first obstacle.
Then he lifted her from the bath. She gasped. Okay, that was more sudden than she’d expected. And she was completely on display.
He set her on the towel and dried her off. He did it efficiently, but she still felt her nipples harden. He wrapped a dry towel around her and she was grateful for the cover.
Then he turned to the counter to pick up something from the pile of clothes he’d brought in with him. He held up a pair of cotton panties. Teal. With gold crowns on them.
“Ooh, they’re cute.”
“Glad you like them.”
He crouched down in front of her. “Hands on my shoulders and foot up.”
“I can put them on myself,” she told him.
“Is this you trying?”
Fuck. He was right.
“Sorry,” she whispered.
“Sorry, Daddy.”
“Sorry, Daddy,” she forced herself to repeat. The words came easier than she thought. And they felt right.
He drew the panties up her legs under her towel. Then he held up a black skirt. It was ruffled and the edge of the ruffles was stitched with gold. It was pretty but not too pretty. If that made sense.
He slid it up her legs before reaching for a soft T-shirt with the Powerpuff Girls on the front.
He helped her put it on.
“I need a bra.” While her frame was small, especially at the moment, her breasts were not.
“We’re all alone. No one else will see you. The door is locked. I’ve texted them all to stay the fuck away. We won’t be disturbed.”
“Do they know?” she asked. Oh Lord. Now she really wasn’t ever walking out of this room.
“Of course they don’t. I would never do that to you.”
No, he wouldn’t. What was she thinking?
“But if you want to wear a bra, I’ll get one for you.”
She snorted. “No one ever wants to wear a bra. It’s just something you do so your boobs don’t end up around your waist. They’re something a sadist came up with, believe me.”
“All right, now that we’ve established that bras are the devil’s work, it’s time to have your hair done. Pigtails or braids?”
Her cheeks heated. “I don’t know.”
“Daddy’s choice. I like it.” He grabbed the stool that lived beside the bath and had her sit on it while he brushed her hair then set it high in an off-center ponytail. She caught a glimpse of herself as he led her through the bathroom.
She looked cute. Sweet. But a little edgy at the same time.
It was freaking perfect.
She came to a surprised stop in the bedroom.
Wow, he’d been busy.
“What is this?”
“Picnic dinner.” He gestured towards the same red and white checkered blanket on the floor along with a hamper. “And play stations.” He waved a hand at everything else.
“Play stations?”
“So you could sample several things. See what you like doing.”
“How could you have possibly done this in less than an hour?”
“With help.”
She froze.
“Not that sort of help,” he soothed. “Dusty had a playroom when she was younger. It’s never been cleared out. I think Ma is hoping one of us will give her a grandchild soon. I just gathered up most of the stuff I could find while Edna made our picnic dinner.”
She breathed a bit easier.
He led her around each of the play stations. “A jewelry-making station.” There was a box filled with beads, along with equipment to make jewelry.
Okay, that really looked like fun.
Another station. This one had a huge tub of Legos. “Legos.”
Maybe.
The next station consisted of another plastic container filled with things like pipe cleaners, bottles of glue and glitter, and popsicle sticks. “Crafting.”
Also another possibility.
Excitement started to fill her.
“That’s all I had time for. I chose things I thought might appeal to you. But if you’d rather sit and watch a movie or play a video game than test out the stations we can do that too.”
She rather liked the sound of that. “Can we do that another day?”
“Sure, baby blue. Whatever you need. What would you like to do first?”
“I want to make some jewelry.”
“Time to stop now, baby blue.”
“Nearly finished, Daddy.”
She was so involved in what she was doing that she didn’t seem to notice that she’d called him Daddy.
He considered that a victory. It had taken her a while, but once she’d gotten into her jewelry making, her shoulders had started to relax. She’d stopped shooting him looks as though to check on his reaction.
While she’d created a necklace, he’d watched her. Well, he’d cleaned up the massage table and bathroom. But in between, he’d simply watched her.
His favorite pastime.
Only now he didn’t have to pretend that he wasn’t staring at her.
“You have two minutes. Then it’s time to stop for dinner.”
“Not hungry.”
“That wasn’t a question, baby blue.”
“I need to finish this.”
“You need to eat. Your only choice is whether you do it with a hot ass or not.”
She glared at him, eyes narrowed assessingly. He just gave her a calm look back. “Time to finish up now. You can do the rest tomorrow.”
“Five more minutes,” she wheedled.
Brat.
“I’m going to count. If your butt isn’t on this blanket by the time I get to five, it’s over my knee you go.”
She didn’t even flinch, but he knew she was listening.
“One.”
He waited a beat. Did she intend to play chicken with him?
“Two.”
She needed to learn that he never bluffed.
“Three.”
She’d lasted longer than he thought.
“Four.”
With a huff, she jumped up and stomped over then sat. Her legs were crossed, giving him a glimpse of panties. Her arms went over her breasts and she sent him a glare.
“Daddy, I was busy.”
“I know you were. But when Daddy says it’s time to do something, then you do it. Or you end up in trouble.”
“I shouldn’t get spanked just because I don’t want to eat.”
“You need to eat or you’ll get sick. And you’re hungry.”
“Am not.”
“Lying won’t be tolerated, baby blue. Remember the rules.”
She chewed at her lip and he reached over to slip it free. He knew she was nervous. Losing herself in her jewelry making was easier than interacting with him.
Her finger crept up to her mouth. He grasped hold of it, pulling it from her mouth.
“No,” he said firmly.
She pouted slightly.
He slid her plate in front of her. It had a picture of a princess on it. Not exactly his girl’s style. But Dusty had a thing for all things princesses when she was young. He’d put finger food on it. Sandwiches with the crusts cut off and filled with egg salad. The cook had made the sandwiches, but he’d cut them up. Carrot sticks, strawberries, grapes, and raspberries. There was ranch dressing for dipping as well.
Like he thought she would, she reached immediately for the fruit.
“You’re to eat some sandwiches too,” he warned.
She pouted. He grabbed a carrot stick and dipped it in the dressing. Then held it up to her lips.
“I’ve got a treat for you if you finish what’
s on your plate.”
She looked down at her plate assessingly. He hadn’t piled it up, much as he wanted to.
“What kind of treat?” she asked suspiciously.
“You’ll find out if you eat all your food.” He fed her one of her sandwiches, before demolishing his own. They were more manly-sized.
“But isn’t it better if I know, Daddy? Then it will be more of an incentive.”
“If you want to know then eat your dinner,” he said firmly.
She sighed but ate everything on her plate.
“Good girl,” he told her, reaching into the basket. She was practically vibrating with excitement.
“Is it gummi bears, Daddy? I love gummi bears.”
“I know. But not this time.”
He drew out a bowl that was covered in Saran Wrap. When he drew it off, he revealed a decadent brownie covered in whipped cream.
“Eek! Yummy!”
“It’s for sharing,” he warned.
“I can share, Daddy. I’m a good sharer.”
“Not too good, I hope,” he murmured, forking some up for her. “Because I don’t share well and I never intend to share you.”
Leaning forward, she kissed his nose. “Silly Daddy. I’d never share you.”
“What’s in the shopping bags, Daddy?” she asked curiously after he’d gotten her into her Powerpuff Girls pajamas.
Seriously. These were the coolest things ever. She never wanted to get out of them.
“Got some things to help you sleep.”
She chewed at her lower lip. “I know I woke you up lots last night. Maybe I should sleep somewhere else.”
Jason snorted. “Like that’s happening. My baby doesn’t sleep anywhere but with me.”
“But I don’t need that much sleep.”
“You’ve got big bags under your eyes, baby blue.”
“Daddy, are you saying I’m ugly?”
“Oh no, you don’t.” He waggled a finger at her. “Don’t put words in my mouth. You’re sleeping with me. Every night. For the rest of our lives.”
She sucked in a breath.
“What if I keep you awake, Daddy?”
He shrugged. “Then you keep me awake.”
“Every night? Don’t you need your beauty sleep?”
“Look at me.” He pointed at his face. “Can’t get any more beautiful than this.”
It took a moment for the words to register then she couldn’t help but laugh. He winked at her. A slow wink that had her insides tightening.
Wow. Okay. He wasn’t wrong. He was beautiful. A very masculine sort of beauty. But the kind you could stare at for hours without getting bored.
“You’re sleeping with me, baby blue. No more arguments.”
“Okay, Daddy. But it’s too early to go to sleep now. It’s not my bedtime, so I might make another necklace.”
“What time do you think your bedtime is?” he asked curiously.
“Oh, around midnight.”
“Nice try, not happening.”
“What does that mean?”
“It means your bedtime is now ten.”
“Uhh, no it’s not!”
“Yes, it is.”
“Nuh-uh, Daddy. That’s a crazy bedtime. It’s way too early.”
“I can make it earlier,” he warned.
“But Daddy, it’s not even ten yet.” It was just after nine.
“Yes, but you didn’t have a nap today.”
“I don’t need a nap. I’m not a baby.”
“No, you’re not. But until those dark smudges have gone and you’re sleeping better at night, you’re going to take naps.”
“What time is your bedtime, Daddy?” she asked.
“I don’t have a bedtime.”
“Well, I’m older than you so I think your bedtime should be eight.”
“Older than me, huh?”
“Yep. Older and wiser. Actually, since I’m older I should get to make the rules.”
He shook his head with a grin. “Nice try. Not happening.”
She pouted then kicked her toes against the baseboard of the bed.
“Stop that before you hurt yourself.”
“Daddy, I’m not going to hurt myself,” she said with exasperation.
Then she kicked too hard and pain shot up her foot. “Owie. Ow. Ow. Ow.” She grabbed hold of her foot, hopping around until Jason picked her up and set her on his lap.
“Aww, baby girl. Let me see.”
“It really hurts. I think I broke them.”
“That’s no good. You’ve got to let me look at them, though.”
“I don’t wanna,” she wailed.
“Why not? I’ve got magic kisses that can make them all better.”
“I don’t believe you.”
“Why don’t you let me try? Come on, move your hand.”
She shifted her hand. But as he lightly touched her toes, she flinched away with a hiss.
“They must be sore.”
“Uh-huh, they really are, Daddy. They’re so bad.”
“Well, I think there’s only one thing we can do.”
“Gummi bears and an ice pack?” she said hopefully. “I mean, I guess I’ll have to take the ice pack to bed with me since it’s my bedtime. Hope it doesn’t make the sheets go damp or anything.”
“I think they’re beyond an ice pack.” He shook his head regretfully. “I’m going to have to chop them off.”
“Chop them off?” she squeaked in alarm.
“Yep. Hope there’s bound to be an ax around here somewhere.”
He set her on the bed and climbed to his feet. Frantically, she grabbed his hand. “No, Daddy! I don’t wants them chopped off!”
“But there’s nothing else that can be done. Other than go to the emergency room, I guess. Except I know you hate doctors.”
She stuck out her lower lip. “I know that you’re teasing me.”
“Oh, really? Am I?”
“Uh-huh. You don’t chop toes off or go to the emergency room when they’ve just been banged.”
“And do you get gummi bears when you stubbed them while doing something that Daddy said to stop doing?”
She sighed. “No, Daddy.”
He crouched down to look at her toes again, running his finger over them. “They don’t look swollen, but maybe an ice pack isn’t a bad idea. I’ll run downstairs and get one.”
“Daddy, no. All they need is magic kisses.”
“Sure?”
“Yep.”
“All right. Prepare yourself for brilliance. You might want to shield your eyes.”
She rolled her eyes rather than shielding them as he lightly kissed her toes. A giggle escaped her. “Daddy, that tickles!”
“Poor baby. There you are, all better.” He gave them a final kiss. “Now that we’ve averted a disaster, we should get your bed ready.” He stood and moved to the shopping bags. She watched him curiously.
To her surprise, he started pulling out pillows. Big pillows in teal, gold, and black. Then he arranged them on her side of the bed.
“This is meant to help me sleep?”
They were down one side, then along the bottom by where her feet would be and then halfway up the middle of the bed.
“It’s called nesting.”
“Nesting? Like what a bird does?” Was he out of his mind?
“You like soft things. You like to feel enclosed. I thought this might help.”
“Enclosed?”
“Yeah. You enjoy when I hold you tight. It makes you feel safe.”
Hell. She couldn’t deny that. But the pillows weren’t the same as having him hold her. Then she lay back in the middle of the comfiest pillows she’d ever felt in her life. She let out a contented sigh.
“It’s like lying on clouds.”
He grinned. “Good.” He plumped them, settling her in.
“How come there’s none here.” She patted the middle of the bed.
“Because that’s where I lie. And I st
ill want to hold you at night.”
Oh Lord, if he got any sweeter then she was going to get cavities. Once she was settled, he turned back to the bags.
“There’s more?”
“Hmm. There’s this scented shit. Meant to help calm you.”
He plugged in a wooden diffuser then drew out a whole lot of small bottles.
“What scent would you like?” he asked. “Lavender? Valerian? Bergamot?”
“Um, bergamot. I can’t believe you’ve bought all this to help me sleep.”
“It’s not healthy to only get a few hours here and there.”
She knew that. She’d just never been able to do anything about it. She buried into the pillows as he turned off the lights. He left the bathroom light on.
“Oh, nearly forgot.” He rustled in the bags and returned with something. “Hold up your hands.”
“Why? What’s that?”
“Mittens.”
“Uh, mittens? My hands aren’t cold.”
“They aren’t to keep your hands warm. They’re to stop you from biting your nails in your sleep.”
“I don’t need mittens.” That sounded uncomfortable.
“I want you to try them.” His voice had gone firm. He meant it. He really wanted her to wear mittens to bed.
“I’ll get too hot.”
“Won’t know until you try.”
“Fine,” she muttered, letting him put her hands into the mittens. This was a stupid idea, though. She’d just wait until he was asleep to pull them off.
He climbed into bed and started to rub her shoulders.
“Shh,” he told her. “Just relax. Close your eyes. Think about me. Naked. Ahh, no, that will keep you awake and horny. Sorry.”
She huffed out a laugh.
What was she going to do with him?
Hug him. Love him. Hold onto him and never let him go.
18
“Daddy, you need to sit still while I’m doing your hair.”
“You’re kind of pulling it, baby blue.” He winced as she tugged some up into a ponytail. She’d set up a make-up and hair station today, and Daddy was her first client.
“Daddy, you’re gonna look beautiful if you’d just stop wriggling.” He was sitting on a beanbag while she moved around, working on his appearance.
When she had his hair looking just right, she decided it was time to move onto the make-up. She picked up the toy make-up kit, and he gave it a suspicious look. It was his own fault. He’d been away all morning, and when he’d returned, he had this make-up kit along with a hair kit which included a pretend hair dryer, some rollers, hair ties and ribbons.