by Lila Fox
She made her way into the bathroom attached to her room. It was pink like the bedroom and just as beautiful. She showered, brushed her teeth, and pulled on the gown. Then she took a good look at herself in the mirror and grimaced. Her hair looked horrible. It was all different lengths and choppy. Her father hadn’t done a good job cutting it, but then he hadn’t cared how it looked. She was afraid if there had been hair shears handy, she would have been bald.
Eve wondered if she could ask for a pair of scissors and see if she could make it look better. Her father had cut it over a month before, and it had already started to grow out. It wouldn’t look as bad if she could make it even.
She turned off the bathroom light and walked into the bedroom. The overhead light was off, but the light by the bed sent a warm glow through the room. She noticed the bed had also been turned down.
She leaned up against the headboard and had just pulled the blanket up to her chest when a knock sounded on her door. “Come in,” she called out.
Patrick opened the door and smiled. He took several steps to the bed and sat on the side by her hip.
“How are you doing, baby?”
“Good.”
“It’s been a long, eventful day, hasn’t it?”
“It’s been the best day of my life, sir.”
****
Patrick felt equal parts happy he’d given her that but then was pissed that it took so little to make her happy.
“I’d like you to call me Patrick if you could.”
A spark of excitement and joy brightened her eyes.
“Would you like me to read a bit to you?”
Her eyes filled.
He scooched up to sit beside her and wrapped an arm around her shoulders. “I’m sorry, baby. I didn’t mean to make you sad.”
She wiped the tears that ran down her cheeks. “No, it just made me think of my mother. She used to read to me. She died in a car accident a long time ago.”
He didn’t say anything. There was time to inform her that her mother was alive and very much wanted to be a part of her life.
“How about you go pick out a book,” he told her.
She nodded and scrambled off the bed. It took her a good five minutes to pick one out because there were so many.
As he watched her, his feelings for her grew by the minute. She was everything he’d been looking for, and he’d do anything to keep her with him and happy.
He smiled when she jumped back up on the mattress, slid under the covers close to him, and then handed him the book.
He grinned. Cinderella. The story of a young woman who lived a horrible life but found the prince, and he saved her—a fitting tale for their situation.
“Once upon a time…”
He knew precisely when Eve fell asleep against him, but he continued to read, not wanting the night to end just yet. At the end of the book, he closed it and set it on the nightstand before lifting Eve and moving her down, so her head lay on the pillow. He covered her up and then stood over her.
She looked so peaceful and even had a smile on her face.
He turned the bedside light off but made sure the nightlight was on by the bathroom. He also kept the door cracked open so he could hear her if she needed him.
After showering and getting into bed, Patrick lay back and thought of all the things he wanted to do with Eve and everything he wanted to give her. Every smile she gave him felt like a special gift, and he knew he’d never take them for granted.
Seven
Eve’s high-pitched cry woke her from a sound sleep. She sat up and looked around frantically for the source of her terror.
Patrick rushed in a second later. “Easy, baby. You’re okay.” He took the few steps to her bed slowly. He sat gingerly at the end of her bed and waited for her attention to zoom in on him. “You’re with me, Patrick. No one’s going to hurt you.”
She drew in one deep breath after another to calm her racing heart. She’d been dreaming that she was back in her old room and the whole day had been an illusion. It would be so much worse knowing there was something out in the world that was magical and not have it than never knowing it existed.
“Can I hold you?” he asked.
She flew into his arms, wrapped hers around his neck, and held onto him tightly.
“Do you want to talk about it?” Patrick asked her.
“I had a nightmare.” She paused and took a shaky breath. “I dreamt that you weren’t real.”
He kissed the top of her head. “Oh, baby. I’m very real, and I’m not going anywhere.”
She tilted her head back to see his face. He was the most handsome man she’d ever seen. “You promise?”
He squeezed her to his chest. “I promise. You’re stuck with me.”
She nodded against his chest. The tickle from his chest hair and skin under her hand made her suddenly aware he was naked from the waist up. Oh, wow. He had thick muscles that made valleys and peaks out of his chest and stomach. She wanted so badly just to reach out and touch him, but she was afraid he’d get mad at her.
“You don’t have a shirt on.”
He chuckled. “I usually sleep naked, but I pulled on the sleep pants before bed just in case you had a nightmare. Now I’m glad I did. I wanted to be able to get to you as soon as I could if you needed me.”
The light from the hallway and the small nightlight sent a stream of muted light over them, leaving them in a shroud of darkness that brought an intimacy to the night.
“Do you think you can sleep now, baby?”
The thought of being alone sent a shiver of unease down her spine, but she didn’t want to burden him with her insecurities or make his life difficult. If she upset him, he might just take her back to her father.
“Ah, yeah, I can,” she stuttered. “I’m fine.”
He must have heard the strain in her tone.
“How about you sleep with me? That way, I’ll be right beside you.”
“You don’t have to do that,” Eve said and started to pull away.
“You don’t understand. I won’t get any sleep worrying about you in here. Nothing will happen but me holding you. Unless that makes you feel uncomfortable, and then I’ll just lay on the other side of the bed.”
She leaned back to watch his expressions. He’d done so much for her, and she didn’t want to make his life harder. “Oh, no. I want you to get sleep. I can lay beside you,” she said earnestly.
He smiled at her and then chuckled when she squealed as he picked her up.
She circled his neck with her thin arms and held tight. She’d never been carried. Even when she was sick, she still had to take care of the house and meals. Her father told her often that she was lazy, and if she was ill, it was just an excuse to get out of doing her jobs.
Her nerves kicked in when he whipped back the covers and set her in the middle of the bed before he slid in beside her. Oh, Lord. She was going to sleep next to a man, one she was deeply attracted to and wanted to please. She didn’t know what to do or how to act.
The moonlight coming in through the windows was the only way she could see his features as he lay on his side, facing her.
He reached out and laid his hand on her stomach. “Are you doing okay?”
She nodded jerkily while looking up at the ceiling. She turned her head toward him when he chuckled.
“You look like you’re going to be tortured,” he said.
She relaxed and smiled. “I’m just not used to this. I’ve never slept with anyone before.”
“All you have to remember is I would never do anything to hurt you. Okay, baby?”
Eve nodded.
“Good, now go to sleep.”
She rolled over to her side away from him and closed her eyes.
It seemed like she’d just closed her eyes when flashes of her nightmare started coming back. They stopped immediately when a hard, warm arm curved around her waist and pulled her back against an equally solid chest.
A peace unlike a
nything she’d ever felt before in her life flowed through her. The rest of the night was calm, and she got the best sleep she’d ever had.
She had no fear that her father would wake her up and hit her. She was with Patrick, and he would keep the bad things away from her and keep her safe. She didn’t know why she trusted him already, but she was going to go with her gut that told her he was her future. The fact that Brylee and Larkin liked and trusted him played a huge part.
Chapter Eight
Eve felt a tranquil happiness she never had before when she opened her eyes the next morning in Patrick’s arms. She snuggled closer and breathed in his masculine scent. She jerked her hand away from his chest when a rumble of laughter came from his throat.
She looked up at him. “Did I do something wrong?”
“No, baby. You did everything very right. I like you touching me.”
She smiled and flattened her hand. “You’re so hard and furry.”
He chuckled, picked up her hand, and kissed her knuckles.
“What do you want to do today?”
Her hand froze, and she stared up at him. “I … I’m not sure.”
“What did you do at your father’s?”
“If I wasn’t cleaning the house, making the meals, or reading the bible, I sat at my window and looked outside.”
He cupped one side of her face. “You will never have to do any of that here.”
“I don’t want you to get sick of me or think I’m lazy or I’m taking advantage of you.”
“That will never happen. I want to take care of you, baby. I want to be able to do everything for you.”
“You don’t even know me,” she reminded him.
“As I told you before, I know enough, and what I’ve learned since having you in my home has just confirmed everything the girls had told me.”
“But they don’t know inside of me.”
“What are you talking about?” he asked.
“There’s something wrong with my soul…”
“Stop,” he interrupted and pressed a finger to her mouth. “This is what your father has told you over the years, correct?”
She nodded slowly.
“Baby, he only said those things to keep you with him. With your low to non-existent self-esteem, it made you feel like you couldn’t do anything without him.”
She scrunched her brows together as she thought over his words.
“Your father is an abusive, self-righteous son of a bitch who doesn’t deserve you.”
She cuddled back against him and wrapped an arm around his waist but stayed silent as she absorbed the words.
“What have you wanted to do but couldn’t?”
“Have friends over, or go for walks, or play with dogs and cats.”
Patrick chuckled. “I like all those things, too.”
She glanced up. “Really?”
“Yes, baby. Really.”
He held her for another moment. “How about we get dressed and go down to breakfast?”
“Okay.” She scooted off the bed and raced into her bedroom.
In the kitchen, Patrick helped Eve into a chair at a small table. She looked around the beautiful room, and her gaze fell on the stern-looking woman at the stove. Her stomach tightened in dread. What if the woman didn’t like her? What if she did something terrible, and Patrick didn’t want her anymore?’
****
Earlier, in bed, Patrick chuckled and let her study him. He was turned a bit to the side to prevent his hard cock from scaring her. She wasn’t quite ready for that. Someday, hopefully soon, he’d be able to roll her underneath him every morning and dive into her warm tight body.
A grin spread across his face when he suggested breakfast and then watched her run out of the room.
A few minutes later, she met him in the hallway.
He didn’t say anything, but that was the last time she’d see those dresses. He’d get some clothes for her that day, and he eventually wanted to check into a puppy or kitten for her.
Patrick helped Eve into a chair at a small table in the kitchen.
He could tell she was getting worked up when he brought two glasses of orange juice back to the table, so he sat beside her and laid an arm on the back of her chair.
“What’s got you worried?”
She wrung her hands together in her lap. “I don’t know how to act. What if she doesn’t like me?”
“Are you talking about Agnes, our cook?”
She shrugged.
He waited until the older woman brought over two plates.
“Agnes, I’d like you to meet Eve.”
Eve stared down at her lap, unable to look the older woman.
“Baby, look up. There’s no reason to be afraid of her.”
“She won’t like me,” she whispered to Patrick.
“I already like you, child. Anyone that brings a smile to this boy’s face is a good person in my book.”
Eve’s head snapped up, and her mouth dropped open.
He could tell Agnes was going to take to the girl right away. She had a soft spot for little ones who needed extra love.
“I’m delighted to meet you, Eve.”
“I … I’m glad to meet you, too, ma’am.”
“You’ll call me Agnes.”
Eve nodded and tried to smile.
“Do you know how to bake, child?”
Eve sat up straight. “I … yes. It’s been a while. Not since my mom was alive, but I know I enjoy it.”
“Good. Maybe you could help me out sometimes. I’m a superb cook, but I can’t bake to save me.”
“I would be happy to. Any time,” she said eagerly.
Agnes nodded. “Good. Now eat before it gets cold.”
The cook was halfway across the room when Eve asked what was on her plate. From the way Agnes paused, she’d heard it also, and he knew her heart went out to the girl even more.
“It’s French toast, baby. Haven’t you ever had it?” Patrick asked.
“No. I was only allowed one egg and one piece of toast for breakfast.”
Patrick’s hand fisted in his lap as anger raced through him.
“Well, here, you’ll have all sorts of things. Tell Agnes or me if there’s anything you don’t like.”
“Oh, I’m sure I’ll like everything.”
He glanced at Agnes and grinned as he looked down at Eve.
“There are several things I won’t eat,” Patrick informed her.
“Really? What?”
“Cooked spinach, tuna, peas…”
She grinned. “I don’t like peas,” she admitted. “I had to eat them every night of my life.”
“You’ll never see a pea in this household, child,” Agnes spoke up.
She nodded and took a bite of the toast that was covered in syrup. “Mmmm, this is so good.”
“I’m glad you like it,” Patrick said and took a bite of his own.
The next few minutes were quiet except for the sound of their forks tapping the plates or their chewing. Patrick stood when they were done and grabbed her hand.
“I want to take you outside and show you around.”
She almost bounced in excitement as he walked them around the vast back yard.
“There is an eight-foot-high stone wall around the property so you’ll be safe, and there are a few locked gates to get to the other side, but I’d still prefer you tell me when you want to explore the other side. Would that be okay?”
She nodded. “Oh, yes.”
He showed her where the floaties and pool toys were. He caught the look of fear in her face as she stared at the water.
“What’s wrong, baby?”
She glanced up at him and blushed. “I don’t know how to swim.”
He cupped her face in his hands. “I’ll teach you. There is nothing to be afraid of.”
Eve relaxed.
“Until then, I don’t want you by the pool unless I’m with you.”
“Okay.”
“Le
t me show you around inside the house.”
They walked in and out of rooms.
“This place is huge. Are you the only one who lives here?”
“Agnes and Bentley, the caretaker, live on the premises, but that’s it. Agnes is in charge of the inside of the house. She cooks the meals and supervises a crew that comes in once a week to clean. She also has a few women who help her in the kitchen when we have guests, and Bentley takes care of everything outside.”
“What can I do to help?”
“You can do whatever you want except clean or cook unless you have a passion for it. You may bake with Agnes a little, but I don’t want you to feel like you have to do it all the time.”
“I can be useful. I’m not good at sitting around doing nothing.”
He smoothed the hair from her face—the haircut her father had subjected her to. “Let’s get you settled in first. All right, baby?”
She nodded and took the hand he held out.
“I was going to have the girls come over to swim, but I don’t want you by the pool until I can teach you, so we’ll find something else for you all to do.”
She nodded and let him lead her into his office. She seemed surprised when he sat in the big chair behind the desk and tugged her into his lap.
Patrick pulled up the Macy’s website. “We’re going to look for clothes for you.”
She stiffened. “But I don’t nee—”
He pressed his finger to her lips. “I know you think you don’t need anything, but I do. I need to take care of you. It makes me happy. Will you let me do that, baby?”
She blinked back her tears and then nodded.
“Good. Let’s start with bottoms. Jeans, skirts, and shorts.”
An hour later, Patrick signed off, happy they’d gotten a good start of a new wardrobe for her.
“I’ve got a little work to do. Would you like to go to your room and check things out, or stay in here with me, or wander around the house or grounds?”
“I think I’d like to go upstairs.”
He pressed a kiss to her forehead. “All right. I’ll come and get you when lunch is ready.”
She nodded and jumped off his lap. He watched her walk out of the room and had to bite his tongue to prevent himself from calling out to her to come back. He was starting to understand what his friends, who had littles of their own, meant about being possessive bordering on obsession.
