Total pages in book: 58
Estimated words: 56278 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 281(@200wpm)___ 225(@250wpm)___ 188(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 56278 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 281(@200wpm)___ 225(@250wpm)___ 188(@300wpm)
I nodded. “When I knew I was being kidnapped.”
He chuckled. “Did you see the resort there?”
“I glimpsed it. Chris said your friends run some wilderness retreat there, but I was too mad to give a crap.”
“Understandable.” He was trying to hide his mirth at the whole ordeal. And I guessed we could laugh about it now… After all, I’d won the lottery! “But yeah, they’re family friends of sorts. Our fathers knew each other. Then when Chris and I wanted a getaway place up here, we reached out and reconnected. You’ll like Patrick and Declan. But more importantly, I think you’ll like the resort. They have a fantastic restaurant, little cabins you can rent, and more sled dogs than you can count. We could head down and spend the night…?”
Oh my gosh, it would be the best date ever. A proper, proper date. With a sleepover.
“I want that with you.” I booped his nose. “A big date with my Daddy.” Oh, wait! “But what about the steaks you brought? We love steak.”
He smirked. “They’re for breakfast, sillypants. You think I forgot your Top Five Breakfast List?”
He actually remembered that? Wow. I was kind of amazed. I’d written that years ago. My top favorite was fresh-made Krispy Kreme, and you had to get them early in the morning. Original glazed, of course. Second favorite, Dad’s homemade biscuits with eggs and sausage and cheese. Third, fluffy pancakes with butter, bacon, and syrup at Silver Diner back home. Fourth, Yaya’s honey cupcakes with walnuts and lemon frosting. And, drumroll, in fifth place, a medium-rare steak with green beans and a shit-ton of butter!
“We’re low on biscuits and sausage patties here,” Daddy continued, “and I’m certainly not feeding you sugar in the morning, so steak it is.”
I grinned. “You really remember.”
His own smile was on the softer side, and he brushed his knuckles over my jaw. “In retrospect, I shouldn’t have been so surprised to realize my feelings were changing for you. You’ve always been special to me, blue.”
Gah.
I leaned in and brushed our noses together, and I couldn’t speak. If I did, jumbled, squeaky garbage would come out. I wanted to scream and shake him, I was so happy.
Was this my life now?
“I’m overwhelmed,” I managed to croak.
He understood me immediately and squeezed me to him. “No more words for a while, then,” he murmured. “Just leave everything to Daddy. I’ve got you.”
Jesus Christ.
I screwed my eyes shut and clung to him.
February 22nd, 2021
“…if the birthday boy can wake up.”
My nose twitched, and I hugged the pillow to me.
Birthday boy?
Sleep clung to the edges of my senses, and I wanted to go back to the dream I was having. Daddy and I were in the middle of shopping for a new pillowcase.
“Is someone here turning twenty-six today?”
Oh. Um. I… But the pillowcase shopping…
Wake up, it’s your birthday!
My eyes flashed open, and I squirmed around in bed as the weight shifted on the mattress. Wade was here. Daddy! Daddy was here. He was my Daddy now. Yesterday had been real. And his little one turned twenty-six today! And also, he was only wearing boxer briefs, and that was always worth celebrating.
I pushed myself up and scrubbed my fists over my eyes.
“There he is, the most beautiful boy in the world…”
I grinned sleepily and shook off the last of the exhaustion. It must be super early because I was usually the one who woke up first. It was dark out, though that didn’t mean much.
“Good morning, Daddy.” I crawled over to him, and he was quick to wrap his arms around me.
“Good morning, my sweet birthday boy.” He kissed the top of my head and showed me a new pair of briefs he’d dug out from my luggage. He’d wanted us to sleep naked, and now he wanted me to wear clothes? Pffft. “Are you ready to join Daddy in the front room?”
I nodded but didn’t leave his lap or unlock my arms from around him. “I think I’m stuck. I can’t seem to let go of you.” Even though something smelled amazing from the other room.
“Oh, is that a fact?” His voice was extra sexy in the morning, all whiskey and laziness. He put the underwear on me all on his own. “Good thing I’m strong, then.” With that, he grunted and got off the bed, with me hanging on to him, and I giggled madly. Then he swooped an arm under my leg and lifted me higher. “There we go.”
He actually carried me!
I tightened my hold on him and beamed as we headed out to the main room, and things only got better from there. He’d set up breakfast on the coffee table, and I counted four birthday presents! It was super cozy. He’d stoked the fire and put out all our blankets. Some candles on the table too.