His Accidental Daddy

by Luna, David

  Thornton gently rubbed his hands up and down Asher’s arms. “I’m not upset with you. I’m upset with me. I should have listened to my instincts and stayed no matter what you said. Because of course you can’t just get up and cook yourself food. Jesus, I’m so sorry.”

  His ribs protested when he reached up to touch Thornton’s tortured face. “Don’t do that. Because if you feel guilty, I’m gonna feel guilty, and then we’re both miserable.”

  That got a tiny, rueful smile, which Asher returned. “You couldn’t have known how bad it was or that I was supposed to make sure I had someone at home to take care of me. You couldn’t have known that I’m stupid stubborn, even when I know it’s to my own detriment. I’m sorry. I promise I’ll do better. I’ll ask for help even when I don’t want to. It’s just… Thornton, you’re practically a stranger, and the thought of you putting yourself out, putting your life on hold… doesn’t sit well with me.”

  “Do I feel like a stranger to you, Asher? Hey, look at me. Don’t tell me what your mind says is the right answer. Don’t think about the fact we’ve only known each other for a handful of days. Tell me how you feel. Am I a stranger?”

  His shoulders slumped, knowing the answer. Because no. He absolutely did not feel like a stranger. They’d spent countless hours over the last two and a half days getting to know quite a bit about each other. They’d been in such close proximity, and neither of them had wanted to pass the time watching TV or sharing idle chit chat. He’d felt a connection with Thornton, and for once in his life he hadn’t wanted to ignore his feelings in fear of what might happen. Because maybe, what might happen could turn out to be amazing.

  Back at the hospital they’d talked about his job, how much he loved it, and how grateful he was to Jenn for giving him a chance. Thornton knew how much he loved Madi and Gigi. Asher had shared the fact that he’d dropped out of college when things were too tight financially and how he eventually wanted to go back and finish. And Thornton had shared stories about his wonderful family and Damon and Syed. He’d shocked Asher when he told him about being owner and co-owner of a lot of local businesses and how he’d fallen into it and never looked back

  His voice was rough when he finally whispered, “No. You’re not a stranger.”

  Thornton sighed and leaned down to rest his forehead on Asher’s, and he couldn’t have stopped his heart rate from kicking up to high gear if he wanted to. That gesture—that intimate, gentle, sweet gesture—had tears forming in Asher’s eyes. He sighed and leaned into Thornton’s strength. He didn’t deserve a man as wonderful as Thornton, but he was unwilling to reject the man’s care and comfort. He couldn’t remember the last time anyone had taken his wellbeing so seriously.

  It wouldn’t last forever, so Asher vowed to himself then and there he’d soak it up while he had the chance. Thornton’s expression was imploring when he asked, “Will you stay with me while you’re on leave?”

  Asher couldn’t think of a reason not to—didn’t want to think of one—but he knew he couldn’t commit to that. He had to have an out in case he started to sense Thornton had changed his mind. He shook his head, trying not to feel enormous guilt at Thornton’s defeated frown. “I’m sorry. It’s just… this is all so overwhelming. For now, all I feel comfortable with is staying my first week. Can we see how things go after that?”

  Thornton let out a soft breath, a smile slowly lighting up his face. “I’ll take it, for now. So, do you feel well enough for me to move you? I’m going to take you right up to the guest room across from my bedroom so I can be there when you need me, and I’ll bring you some dinner.” He was about to protest when Thornton continued, “It won’t be anything heavy, but you need to eat to keep up your strength.”

  Something deep inside of him, that he’d have to unpack and look at later, settled with a deep desire to do as this forceful yet kind man demanded of him. “All right.”

  “Ready?”

  He nodded, warmed again by Thornton’s kindness. “Yeah. But I can probably walk. I don’t want you throwing your back out.”

  “You’re light as a feather. Just let me take care of you tonight, okay? It will go a long way to easing my mind of the guilt I’m still feeling for leaving you today.”

  He sighed, knowing there was nothing he could say or do to rid Thornton of his unnecessary guilt except help him relieve a bit of it by taking care of him. “It’s not your fault, but I’ll let you take care of me. You’re going to have to be careful, though. A boy could get used to this.”

  Something sparked in Thornton’s eyes at Asher’s admission. He didn’t know what it was about, but Thornton’s gruff voice sent shivers down his spine when he said, “And I’d be happy if you did.”

  Heat flooded his face, and goosebumps slid up his arms at the liquid sexiness of Thornton’s voice. All he could do was sigh when Thornton picked him up as if he was made of spun glass and carried him through the most beautiful house he’d ever seen, the clickity-clack of the puppies’ nails trailing behind them. Thornton continued up a grand staircase and down a long hall into a ridiculously large guest room with what he assumed was a walk-in closet and an attached bath.

  His own apartment was beautiful, and he was very proud of the fact he’d worked hard enough to afford to live in a place like it, but this place was far beyond what he could have even imagined. He couldn’t wait to see the outside of it, if the inside was anything to go by. He didn’t think it was a mansion. It felt like a big, beautiful, yet comfortably lived-in home. From what he’d seen, there wasn’t anything he’d be afraid to touch and no furniture he’d be afraid to sit on, and the fact that Thornton let his puppies run amok while he was gone was testament to that fact.

  He felt comfortable immediately despite the residual pain that ached in his head and chest. Thornton set him down on a bed he’d swear was made of clouds and moondust, it was so comfortable. He watched, charmed, as Thornton bustled about grabbing extra pillows and blankets and propping them up against the headboard. He lifted Asher and pulled back the covers, setting him down so he could rest against the fluffy pillows.

  A soft smile found its way to his lips as Thornton took off his slippers and rubbed his feet to warm them. “I’m gonna go heat up some of the beef stew I made earlier. Does that sound good?”

  Shocked when his stomach gave a growl in answer, he couldn’t help but blush and then melt into a puddle of sappy goo when Thornton squatted and brushed the hair back off his forehead, a sweet smile on his face. “Sounds like your stomach is on board with that idea. Rest a bit while I’m gone, or…” he stood and looked around, reaching for Asher’s phone and handing it over, “entertain yourself while I get it heated up for you. If you fall asleep, I’ll wake you long enough to eat some and then let you get back to sleep, okay?”

  That sounded very okay to Asher, and he nodded, murmuring, “Yeah.”

  When Thornton stood, Asher couldn’t stop himself from reaching out and capturing the man’s bigger hand in his, stopping him short. He squatted again and waited quietly while Asher came up with words to express how he felt. “Thank you for your help. I know you don’t think it’s a big deal, and you want to do it, but, Thornton, you’ve shown me more compassion in the last seventy-two hours than I think I’ve ever had in my whole life.”

  His face grew warm at that admission, and warmer still when sadness slid over Thornton’s features. But it was gone a second later when the man leaned forward, brushed his hair back again, and kissed his forehead. “You’re welcome. I hope we can get to a point where you come to expect that compassion from me. Settle back and rest. I’ll be back soon.”

  Thornton stood and made a couple of kissy noises, prompting Beauty and Beast to trot into the room as if they’d just been chomping at the bit to come in and visit. “They really want to say hello. Are you afraid of dogs?”

  Eyes big and excitement thrumming through him at the thought, he couldn’t keep a grin off his face. “No, I don’t think so. I’ve never been around
a dog before. I always wanted pets, but my parents never allowed it.”

  Surprise flitted across Thornton’s face, but he recovered quickly and smiled wide. “Well, what they really want to do is jump up on the bed and fawn all over you, but I don’t want them to bother you or hurt you. I’m going to order them to sit beside you, and they’ll probably plonk their heads on the bed and stare at you sadly so you’ll pet them. But don’t feel you have to.”

  Oh, how he wanted them on the bed with him. “Can you… If you order them to settle, will they be calm on the bed?”

  A soft smile slipped over Thornton’s lips as he nodded. “They’re good pups. They won’t bother you. I just didn’t want you to be overwhelmed.”

  Asher nodded and patted the bed beside himself. “I want them by me.”

  Thornton rolled his eyes and groaned. “God, they’re going to have you wrapped around their big, clumsy paws in about five seconds flat. You’ve been warned.”

  Asher grinned. “You sound like you’re speaking from experience.”

  “Pfft. I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  Seeing that for the lie it was, he couldn’t keep a giggle from escaping and then a sigh to follow when Thornton’s dazzling smile brought the man’s face alive with happiness. “Okay, so, I can order them to settle near you once they’re up there, but there’s no way they’d be gentle clambering up beside you.”

  Thornton picked each of the puppies up—which was no small feat—and placed them on the bed next to him as gently as possible. “Beauty, Beast, this is Asher. Be gentle.”

  He watched in awe as the huge pups slowly inched their way across the bed like soldiers in a training course, staying low and not shaking him at all. “What happened…?”

  The sadness on Thornton’s face made his heart wrench. “That’s Beauty. She and her brother, Beast, were rescued from a puppy mill. She was born with some congenital defects which included glaucoma, so they surgically removed her eyes. One of my business partners, Dax, wouldn’t separate them because Beast acts as her—well, I guess her seeing-eye dog, for lack of a better name.

  “They go everywhere together, and he takes care of her. So, it was hard to find anyone to adopt them both, especially considering her health issues. I got to know them when I went into business with Dax and fell in love. Haven’t regretted adopting them for a second. They’re a handful, but so worth it.”

  Asher gazed down at both puppies, newfound admiration and love for them. He smiled as they rested their heads on his upper thigh, right beside his stuffy—which he’d have to panic about later—and he giggled again when they both sighed contented puppy sighs as they turned towards him. They turned their heads towards Thornton when he asked, “Does that hurt?”

  Asher shook his head and reached out to pet them. “Not at all.”

  “Good pups.” Both Beauty and Beast gently lifted their heads to wait for their next command. “Settle.”

  They did as their master ordered and lowered their big ol’ adorable heads to his lap again, settling right down to keep him company while the three of them waited for Thornton to return. As soon as Thornton was out of sight, Asher picked up his phone and took a couple of photos of the puppies, texting them to Madi.

  Asher: Show Gigi when she wakes up in the morning.

  Madi: OMFG. Those are puppies?

  Asher: LOL Right? They’re enormous!

  He grinned as the bubbles appeared and then chuckled when the emoji of the frustrated woman with a hand over her face popped up.

  Madi: You know she’s going to hound me until I drive her over there to the swanky neighborhood he’s taken you to.

  Asher: *snort* You said hound…

  Madi: Asher… OMG you’re ridiculous… Go to sleep.

  Asher: I can’t. He’s making me dinner.

  His phone rang, and he had to pull the phone from his ear when her excited voice got a bit too loud. “Dammit, Asher! How is it that you’ve never put any effort into finding yourself a man, and then one runs over you with his car and instantly becomes everything you’ve never been looking for and yet have always needed?”

  Shocked, he shook his head. “That’s not… that isn’t—”

  “Asher, he’s gorgeous, he’s sweet, and he was an absolute wreck when he called me. So worried about you and ready to do anything to get to you in case you were hurt. He doesn’t want you out of his sight in case you get hurt again, and he’s hell-bent on taking care of you. Oh. My. Fucking. God!”

  Jesus. “What?!”

  “Asher! You landed yourself a Daddy.”

  That threw him off. “What? I’m pretty sure he doesn’t have any kids. I mean… We talked a lot, and he didn’t mention—”

  She sighed. “My sweet summer child. I love you.”

  Even more confused, he answered, “I love you, too.”

  “Go eat your dinner and then get some sleep. I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”

  “Okay, night, Madi.”

  “Night, boo.”

  He hung up. The bewilderment he was feeling must have been showing on his face because once Thornton returned, concern colored his voice when he asked, “Everything okay?”

  He shrugged and figured he’d better ask, in case he missed something huge and was the last to know. “Do you have kids?”

  Thornton nearly bobbled the tray of food he held but got it settled on the table beside the bed. Confusion marred Thornton’s brows. Good. That made both of them. “No. No kids. What made you ask?”

  He scratched his head and gazed up at Thornton. “Nothing, I… It’s silly.”

  But Thornton just waited patiently, a gentle smile on his face, obviously encouraging him to continue. “It’s just—Madi just said I found a Daddy, and I didn’t remember you ever saying you had kids, so—”

  Thornton’s choked cough stopped him mid-sentence. “Are you okay?”

  The man’s eyes were watering, and he continued to cough into his fist, but he nodded. “Yeah.” He cleared his throat. “I’m just fine, Asher. And no, I don’t have children.”

  Asher smiled, glad he hadn’t completely missed something so important. “Okay good. I would have felt bad if you’d said something and I’d completely missed it.”

  “Nah, you’re good.” The smile Thornton gave him made him blush. “You hungry?”

  He breathed in, and the smell of the stew had him sighing. “Mmm, that smells so good.”

  Thornton glanced at the pups and spoke to them with that sexy voice again. “Away, you two. Gentle.”

  Both dogs moved gently away to the opposite side of the bed and settled as Thornton placed the lap tray over his legs, making it easy for him to feed himself. “How have you trained them so well already? And how can they move so gently? What are they, a hundred pounds?”

  Thornton chuckled. “110. And I didn’t train them—Dax did. We own a large dog rescue and training facility together. They stayed with him until they were fully trained, and I just had to learn the commands.”

  “Wow. That’s awesome. Was Beauty able to be trained just like Beast?”

  “Dax made some adjustments for her, but for the most part, yeah. Whatever she’s unable to do, Beast leads her through so she can follow well enough.”

  Asher took a bite of stew and hummed around the spoon as he pulled it from his lips. “Mmm. Oh my god. That’s so good.”

  Thornton pulled an upholstered, armless chair next to the bed and sat as he grabbed the bowl he’d set on the side table for himself and settled down, crossing an ankle over his knee. “Glad you like it. It’s my mom’s recipe.”

  “It’s yummy. Thank you.” He put the spoon down in the bowl and met Thornton’s eyes. “You’re doing so much for me. I don’t really understand why, but, I’m grateful.”

  “Because I want to. Because you deserve it. And because I care about you.” Thornton uncrossed his legs and leaned forward, placed the bowl on the table, and reached to take his hand. “I know it’s early, and I have no idea
what, if anything, will happen between us. But I’m drawn to you, Asher, and I’m not going to hide that or play games.”

  He took another bite of stew with his other hand and sat for a moment, chewing while he tried to figure out how in the hell to respond to a man who wore sex appeal and confidence like a second skin. “I wouldn’t know how to play those games anyway, so I guess that’s good.” He cleared his throat and decided he had to be honest. “I’m drawn to you, too. But you don’t know me. You know only bits and pieces. I’m messed up in a lot of ways, Thornton, and the me you’ve seen over the last several days is different from the me of reality. I’m afraid you’ll be disappointed.”

  “I promise you, I won’t be disappointed, but you won’t believe that until you see it in my actions, not just my words. I’m never going to pressure you to do anything you don’t want to do or to be anything you’re not. I didn’t bring you to my house to seduce you and manipulate you. I want to take care of you while you get better and get to know who you really are.”

  Asher drew in as deep a breath as he dared and nodded. “Okay. Just, please, if you decide you don’t like the real me or that I’m not worth the effort, don’t pretend you do because you feel sorry for me. I couldn’t take that.”

  Thornton squeezed his hand again, concern and, if Asher wasn’t mistaken, sorrow furrowing his brows. “Who have you had in your life that made you feel less than?”

  He pulled his hand away from Thornton and felt the loss immediately, but the vulnerability coursing through him demanded a bit of distance. “Most everyone that really mattered.”

  Chapter Eight

  Thornton

  Most everyone that really mattered…

  The words hit Thornton like a sledgehammer to the gut, and he sat back hard into his chair, staring at the beautiful man before him. God. How could anyone treat Asher in such a way? It broke his heart. He must have been taking too long to respond because the boy’s shoulders fell, and he whispered, “Don’t feel sorry for me.”