Hero Daddy

by Roberts, Laylah

  “I…I…” The thought of being alone sent terror rushing through her.

  “Button?” He cupped her cheeks. “You all right?”

  She shook her head. Nope. She definitely was not.

  “What do you need? You can ask me for anything.”

  She wasn’t used to being able to ask for things. Sometimes it felt like her entire life had been spent catering to someone else’s needs.

  “Don’t…don’t leave me, Daddy. Please.”

  “Shh, it’s okay. I won’t leave you. I’ll stay right here.”

  She nodded.

  He brushed her hair back off her face. “Let me call Brody to come get this. All right?”

  Brody didn’t take too long. Ink handed over the pen drive and ordered him to lock it in the safe for a few hours and get some sleep. He turned back to her once Brody was gone.

  “Come on then, bath time for my button.” He lifted her, carrying her into the bathroom and setting her on the counter.

  When he turned away to fill the bath, it occurred to her that he was going to see her naked for the first time.

  “Let’s get you stripped off.” He reached for her top, quickly stripping it off over her head. He’d seen her in her underwear before plenty of times. So it wasn’t until he reached behind her to undo her bra that she stiffened.

  “Daddy, maybe I should take a bath in my underwear.”

  “Little girls don’t bathe in their underwear.” He drew back to study her. “What’s wrong?”

  She fidgeted. “You’ve never seen me naked.”

  “And you don’t want me to now?”

  Did she? She wasn’t entirely sure.

  “Why don’t you want me to see you naked?” he whispered.

  “I don’t want you to be disappointed,” she replied, without thinking. Then she winced as he growled.

  “Look at me.”

  She raised her gaze to his.

  “I get that your mother and Rex did a number on your self-confidence, but fuck if I haven’t been turned on since the first moment you walked into that club, dressed in those scraps of underwear and that horrible strappy outfit. Disappointed? There is no way that would ever happen.”

  Her breath had grown faster, her body heating at his hot words.

  “Okay.”

  “Okay?” He leaned in, his mouth inches from her. “Do you find me attractive, brown eyes?”

  “Y-yes.”

  “Tonight, Daddy is taking care of his Little one. Understand?”

  She nodded and he kissed her. Hot. Hard. Heavy.

  She drew back as she heard water sloshing against the floor. She looked over at the bath. “Daddy! The bath!”

  “Shit!” He leaned over and turned off the taps then reached into the bath to pull the plug out, draining some water.

  Betsy couldn’t help but giggle as water sloshed over his clothes.

  He sighed. Then he stripped off his shirt.

  Her giggles died down as she took in Ink.

  Holy Batman, he was ripped. Sure, she’d seen him without his shirt before, but this felt different.

  Because he’s yours.

  All those muscles, all that gorgeous ink covering his skin. That pierced nipple which was extremely sexy.

  All. Yours.

  Lucky bitch.

  Okay, that voice was definitely not Mama’s. She had to giggle a bit.

  He raised an eyebrow. “I take off my shirt and you giggle? Should I be insulted?”

  “No, I was just thinking of how much Mama would disapprove of us. And how good that feels.”

  He shook his head. “Don’t take this the wrong way, but I don’t think I would have liked your mother.”

  “Oh, it’s okay. She would have hated you. But Mama had terrible taste in men. She always saw the surface of people, never bothering to look underneath. I never want to make that mistake.”

  “That first night you saw me, at the club, what did you think?”

  “That you were the most gorgeous man I’d ever seen in my life. I also thought you looked terrifying. Like a fallen angel.”

  “I thought you looked at the tats and immediately believed I wasn’t good enough for you.”

  She shook her head. “You’ve got that wrong, I’m the one who could never be good enough for a man like you.”

  “Uh-uh, none of that talk,” he said sternly. “That will just earn you a hot, red ass.”

  “Even if it’s the truth?” she challenged, figuring she was pretty safe right now.

  His gaze narrowed. “Just because I won’t spank you tonight, doesn’t mean I won’t save your punishment until you’re feeling better.”

  What? No!

  “That’s not fair!”

  He tapped her nose. “And putting yourself down isn’t healthy or allowed. I am not better than you. I am not more important than you. In this relationship, you come first. It damn near killed me to let you go back to that house. I haven’t slept. I haven’t done anything but worry about you and then when I learned you’d disappeared…” He closed his eyes and dropped his head.

  “I’m so sorry, Ink. I didn’t mean to scare you.”

  “I know. But I’m still not happy that you insisted on going back. I’m gonna have to blister your ass for that.”

  “I had to go back! And you agreed.”

  “I did. Reluctantly. Still, I think taking my hand to your behind is gonna make me feel a hell of a lot better and it will remind you that your safety is paramount to me. No more risking yourself because you don’t think your life means anything.”

  “It didn’t before. I was only existing, not living.”

  “Not anymore,” he whispered to her. “From now on, you’re gonna fucking live. You’ll feel more, see more, dream more, be more. And I’ll be right there beside you.”

  “I don’t want you to be anywhere else,” she replied.

  He kissed her gently. “Come on. Let’s get you clean and into bed. You’re exhausted and so am I.”

  She couldn’t help but blush as he stripped off her clothes. She kept her face down as she stood by the bath, fully naked. She should have known he wouldn’t let her get away with that.

  “Look at me, brown eyes,” he said huskily.

  She raised her gaze. “You’re beautiful.”

  “I’m too thin.”

  “Which detracts nothing from your beauty,” he countered. “Beauty isn’t just skin deep.”

  She flinched, feeling suitably chastised. Did she worry too much about physical appearance? Her mother had always drummed into her that she’d never get a man if she didn’t watch her weight, wasn’t careful with the way she looked or acted.

  “Okay, I’m not going to like the thoughts running through your mind, am I?” he asked gruffly.

  “Likely not,” she whispered.

  “Are your thoughts mama-related?”

  “She was always focused on finding another man. She always fussed over her appearance and mine. As I got older, her focus shifted to me. I had to always look perfect. Be perfect. To catch a man who would look after us both.”

  “Well, we both know what Mama would have thought of me. I’m not the guy you take home to your parents. I’m not a fucking good catch. I’m rough, dominant and dangerous when the people I care about are threatened. But I will always look after you. Just in ways Mama probably never expected.”

  She had to giggle at that.

  “Yes, you’re too thin. But I’m only worried about that because of how it affects your health.”

  “I have trouble eating when I’m stressed.”

  “Then we do what we need to in order to make sure you’re not stressed. You don’t get so stressed when you’re in Little space, do you?”

  “No,” she whispered.

  “So we give you more Little time. And Daddy will make sure his girl gets all the care and attention she needs.”

  She slid her arms around his waist, not caring that her nipples brushed against his chest, stiffening
in reaction. Being in his arms was all she wanted.

  It was home.

  He bathed her quickly. To her disappointment, he didn’t pay any extra attention to her breasts, even when her nipples became hard and needy. It hadn’t been pleasant, getting in the water with all the nicks and scratches, but she’d known they needed to be washed.

  “Part your legs, button. Daddy needs to make sure you’re nice and clean. I’m sorry I don’t have any toys for you to play with.”

  “That’s okay, Daddy.” She was fading fast anyway. “I can clean myself.” She reached for the washcloth, wincing as her body protested.

  He pulled the cloth back, out of her reach. “Uh-uh, you just lie still and let Daddy take care of you.”

  “You can’t wash me there.”

  “There are no secrets from Daddy. You’ll hide nothing from him, understand. And I intend to get to know your pussy very well. Now part your legs so Daddy can clean you.”

  Her legs slid open, almost of their own volition and he very thoroughly cleaned her pussy.

  He ran a finger over the bare skin. “Wax?”

  “I had it lasered off.”

  Ink nodded then moved the cloth lower to sweep between her ass cheeks.

  “Daddy!” She tried to push him away and he looked down at her sternly.

  “Button, let Daddy clean you up.”

  Her face burned as she laid back against the edge of the bathtub and let him finish washing her.

  Finally, once he was satisfied that she was clean, he lifted her gently, wrapping the towel around her. When he carried her back into the other room, the scent of food filled the air. She saw two bowls with lids sitting on the coffee table in front of the small sofa. As well as a foil-wrapped plate. Her stomach was too tight to entertain the thought of eating, though.

  “That doesn’t smell like donuts.”

  “You eat your dinner like a good girl and I’ll send Blue out for donuts in the morning.”

  He set her down on the bed then reached for the Band-Aids and antiseptic. He started to doctor her worst cuts, which were no longer bleeding but which he covered up with princess Band-Aids all the same.

  “Blue?” she asked.

  “One of my guys that works for me.”

  “How many guys work for you?”

  “Got twenty-four employees including Jana, who works at the front desk. Although how much longer she’ll have a job is debatable.”

  “Why?”

  “She’s never here. And when she is, she’s fucking rude to clients.”

  She raised her eyebrows. She couldn’t imagine Ink putting up with that. “And she still works here?”

  He grunted. “She was the wife of a teammate.”

  “Oh. Is he…”

  “He died.”

  Okay, she got it now. He was trying to help a dead friend by employing his wife.

  “But she’s making too many mistakes. She needs to go. I just don’t have time to find someone else to replace her right now.”

  “Because of me.”

  “No.” He put the supplies away and she had to smile as she looked over his handiwork, she had at least fifteen Band-Aids plastered on her. “Getting you away from Forrest had to take top priority. Your safety was a risk. But even without this going on, I’ve got other things sucking up my time.”

  “Like what?”

  He sighed. “Somehow my bids on contracts keep getting undercut. Thought it was just bad luck for a start but now…”

  “You think someone is selling information about your bids to the competition?”

  He grunted.

  “That sucks.”

  He snorted then stood and moved to the set of drawers and pulled out something. “It certainly does. If it’s someone who works for me, I’ll figure out who it is. Then they’ll pay.”

  She shivered. She wouldn’t want to be that person when Ink got hold of them. “I make a very loyal friend, but I make a horrible enemy.”

  “If they’ve betrayed you, then they deserve it,” she said darkly.

  When he froze, she worried that he wouldn’t like her darker side. Then he grinned. “That they do, brown eyes.”

  He held up a nightgown. It was a soft pink color with small white rabbits bouncing and playing along the bottom hem. It was gorgeous.

  “Touch it,” he murmured

  She reached out, gasping at the smooth, cozy feel of it.

  “It was pretty soft when I bought it. But I also washed it a few times to soften it up more.”

  “You bought it for me?” Her Little reappeared at the sight of the nightgown.

  “Well, definitely didn’t buy it for Reyes,” he joked.

  She had to grin at the idea of cold, scary Reyes wearing a pink nightgown.

  “Thank you, Daddy,” she murmured. “I can’t remember the last time someone bought something for me.”

  His eyes narrowed at that revelation. “Well, get used to that changing, button. I intended to spoil you.”

  “You don’t need to do that, Daddy.” Although the idea of it was nice.

  “You need time and care and attention. As well as clothes and toys and pretty things. I’m gonna give them all to you.”

  Her heart fluttered as he put the nightgown on over her head. Then he helped her stand and undid the towel.

  She moved her arms through the sleeves, loving the feel of the material against her skin. She sighed with contentment then yawned.

  “Know you’re tired, baby,” he told her. “Just need to get some fluids and food into you then you can sleep for as long as you like.”

  “I won’t be able to eat. My stomach is too twisty.”

  “Time to stop stressing, Daddy has everything covered.”

  She leaned against him and he picked her up, carrying her over to the couch. He set her down then walked back over to the drawers, pulling out a pale blue blanket. He placed it over her and it was so buttery soft she melted with delight.

  “Ohhh.”

  “You like it?”

  “Like is not the word I would use, Daddy.” She rubbed it against her face.

  “I’m glad you like it. I’ll get you one in every color.”

  “Daddy,” she protested.

  “Hush. You have no say in the ways I spoil you.”

  “Okay, Daddy.”

  “No arguments? That’s a change.”

  She rolled her eyes at him then yawned and snuggled down.

  “You can sleep soon. I got you something else. You don’t have to keep it if you don’t want it.”

  The nervousness in his voice was unexpected and she looked over as he pulled out a pale blue stuffed elephant.

  “Wow,” she said.

  “I didn’t know what your favorite animal was,” he told her, moving the elephant from one hand to the other. “So I went into the store and felt all the toys to figure out which one was the softest. Should have seen the damn sales lady’s face. You’d have thought I was fucking murdering them from the looks I was getting.”

  She could just imagine Ink, with his bad boy looks going into a child’s store and touching all the toys to find the softest one for her.

  “That’s the nicest thing anyone has ever done for me.”

  “Brown eyes, that statement makes me sad as hell,” he told her bluntly.

  “So do I get it?”

  “What?”

  “The elephant. Do I get it or do you want it?” She nodded down to the toy he still held.

  “Huh. Yeah. Sorry.” He thrust it at her. “Like I said, if it’s not right or if you want something else or you don’t want a toy at all…”

  “Daddy, it’s perfect. I love him.”

  “You do?”

  “Yeah, I do.” She tilted her head, studying him. “You were nervous I wouldn’t.”

  “I just…” he sighed and sat on the sofa, running his fingers through his hair. “Fuck. I’ve wanted this for so long. A Little of my own. But I could never find anyone who interested me. Some
one who could deal with my rougher side. I know I can be intense. I can be fucking temperamental, but I’m going to watch my temper around you. I never want to scare you.”

  “You don’t scare me. Sure, I have trouble with people yelling but I don’t want you to change who you are.”

  He smiled and reached out to cup her cheek. “Wouldn’t hurt for me to think before I react. That’s something I’ve got to work on. You’ve got to work on opening up. Talking to me. Letting me in.”

  She nodded. “I’ll try.”

  “Right, enough serious talk. Let’s feed you and get the two of you to bed.”

  She still didn’t think she could eat.

  He opened the lids of the containers to reveal soup. The smell coming off it actually made her mouth salivate. She couldn’t remember the last time that food was appetizing.

  “Where did you get this, Daddy?”

  He placed one bowl in front of her. It looked like chicken noodle soup. Yum. The plate held warm buttered bread. He then handed her a spoon.

  “There’s a restaurant about a block down. The owner, Calla, does amazing home-cooked meals. Eat.”

  She tried to. She really did. But even under the soft blanket with her elephant pressed close to her, and Ink just inches away she couldn’t stomach more than a few bites before her stomach started to ache. She put the spoon down, aware of Ink’s frown.

  “What do you think I should call him, Daddy?”

  “I don’t know, button. But I do know that wasn’t enough to eat.”

  She sighed. “I can’t fit in anymore. It hurts. I think it’s just stress.”

  He nodded. “Then maybe during meal times, Daddy will take over, hmm?”

  She gave him a cautious look. “I don’t know.”

  “I do,” he replied firmly. He sat his own plate down then patted his lap. “Come here, button.”

  “You should eat first. It will grow cold, Daddy.”

  “I’m gonna count to three. If you’re not sitting on my lap before I get to three then tomorrow, you’re going to be spending some time in timeout. With a red bottom. One.”

  He didn’t even get to two before she moved. Albeit not that fast since she was still sore as hell. The bath had helped but she still thought she was going to wake up feeling like she’d been run over by a truck.

  She settled on his lap and instantly a feeling of home stole over her. Protected. Cherished. He wrapped the blanket around her carefully, just reinforcing those feelings. Reaching over, he spooned up some soup.