“Daddy?”
“Yeah, baby doll?”
“I think I was hallucinating.”
He stiffened. “Why is that?”
“I heard puppies barking, like more than just Mr. Fluffy. Silly, huh?”
“Hmm,” he replied.
“Daddy?”
“Yeah, baby doll?” he said with a note of amused exasperation.
“And I thought I heard another voice. It sounded like Reverend Pat. That’s funny, huh?”
“It’s funny all right. That’s a story for in the morning.”
“Can I have the story now?” she asked. She liked stories.
“No. You can sleep now,” he told her sternly.
“Daddy?”
“Baby doll, are you going to ask me questions all night?”
“Just one more, I promise.”
“Okay, ask.”
“Were you scared tonight? Cause I was.”
He tightened his hold on her. “I was fucking terrified.”
“Daddy?”
“Baby doll,” he said sternly. “It’s time for sleep. Let me get your pacifier.”
Not only did the pacifier help her relax into sleep, but they’d discovered one day by accident that it could help during her migraines. It seemed to loosen her jaw.
“Oh yeah, that might help. You know what else might help?”
“What’s that?” he asked as he climbed out of bed and moved around to her side of the bed. She wondered why he didn’t just reach over her. But she guessed maybe he didn’t want to bump her.
“A kiss.”
“All right, you can have a kiss.” He climbed back into bed and leaned in to kiss her lightly.
“Daddy?”
He groaned. “Yes, baby doll?”
“Love you.”
“Love you too. Now sleep.”
She slept. Held in Daddy’s arms. Because she was always a good girl.
* * *
“No, no, that’s in the wrong place. They should go more to the left,” Mrs. Spain called out.
“Go right,” Andrey countered.
“I really think they’re perfect where they are,” Mrs. Larsen added.
“What?” Mr. Spain barked.
Millie giggled as she sat on the porch watching as poor Spike tried to hang some fairy lights in the trees around the house. She bet he hadn’t anticipated having so many helpers.
Turning on the ladder, he gave her a look that promised retribution. She didn’t know why he was blaming her. All she’d done was made the suggestion that some fairy lights in the trees might look pretty.
She hadn’t expected Mrs. Spain and Mrs. Larsen to demand that Spike drive them to the store to buy them. Or that they’d all expect him to hang them then and there.
She just smiled widely back at him.
One of the puppies barked and another one ran across the porch and onto the lawn, a shoe held tightly in his mouth.
Uh-oh. That looked suspiciously like Spike’s shoe. Seemed all the puppies had caught onto Mr. Fluffy’s games with Spike.
It was only because they liked him so much.
Or that’s what she tried to tell him, anyway.
All the other puppies raced out of the house, chasing him. Well, all of them except Mr. Fluffy who was sleeping on the porch in one of his dog baskets. Mrs. Spain and Mrs. Larsen had also done some shopping for all the puppies.
“You’re happy.”
She glanced over as Reverend Pat walked towards her, carrying two cups of coffee. He set them down on the small table that sat between the two rocking chairs. Then, leaning over he adjusted her blanket on her lap, making sure it covered her legs even though it wasn’t that cold out here.
Everyone was fussing over her. She’d barely been allowed to lift a finger in two weeks. But she knew she’d given them all a fright. It was their way of showing they cared. Although she’d never have thought Reverend Pat would worry so much.
She guessed, deep down, he really did love her.
“I am. I really am.”
He handed her a coffee then sat and took one for himself. She took a sip. Ahh, made perfectly.
“He’s a good man. Wasn’t so sure for a start. The tattoos. The motorcycles. His gruff manner. But he loves you.”
“He does. And I love him. Gruffness and all. Although he still hasn’t taken me for a ride on his motorcycle.” She pouted. She’d have to wait until her arm was fully healed.
“Probably a good thing,” Reverend Pat muttered. “Not sure I want you on the back of one of those things.”
She rolled her eyes at him good-naturedly.
His face grew serious. “I’ve been worrying about you since the moment you left Nowhere.”
“Really? Because you seemed awfully happy to see the back of me at my good luck party,” she teased.
He sighed. “I admit, there have been times over the years when I thought you were sent to test my patience. But I’ve missed you, Millicent Margaret. Your smile. Your joy. Even your clumsiness.”
“Aww, Reverend Pat, you love me, don’t you?”
“Wouldn’t go that far,” he said gruffly. But she noticed his cheeks growing red. “You’re a good girl. Your grandparents would be very proud of you. Daria would be proud of you.”
Sadness filled her. She was still coming to terms with her sister’s death. “I still feel like I failed her.”
He reached over and patted her knee gently. That was about as affectionate as he got.
“You aren’t responsible for everyone, Millie. And you couldn’t fail anyone if you tried.”
She sniffled at his words. “Thanks, Reverend Pat. Wish you could all stay longer.” They were headed home the day after tomorrow. And the puppies were all going to their new homes. She was a little sad that Spike wouldn’t let her keep Mr. Fluffy’s littermates. But she guessed having five puppies might be a bit much.
“It’s time to get home. I fear we might be outstaying our welcome.” He grinned as Spike let out a frustrated groan.
“Well, don’t worry, we have to come pack up the house and get my stuff. Spike just doesn’t want me travelling that far at the moment.”
Overprotective as always.
Reverend Pat nodded. “I look forward to it.”
“That’s it. That’s where they’re staying.” Spike stomped his way down the ladder and she had to bite her lip to stop from laughing. He took down the ladder, lying it on its side as he walked towards her.
“Time for your nap, Millie.”
Which was code for I need a time-out from all these people invading my house. He walked up the steps and she put her coffee down as he gently picked her up in his arms. Mr. Fluffy rose with a yawn and stood to follow them. Seemed he felt the same way about his brothers and sister.
Spike kissed her forehead as he turned. Her insides melted at the gesture. Then he froze.
“What the hell is that dog doing with my shoe?”
She tried. She really tried to hold it in.
But she couldn’t stop the giggles from escaping.
Epilogue
Spike slid down her body, wrapping his lips around her plump nipple he tugged at it softly.
“Daddy,” she groaned.
Fuck. Yeah.
Finally, the house was empty. It was just him, his baby doll and that damn dog.
Two weeks.
Two weeks he’d put up with her crazy friends, with barking puppies who weren’t nearly as well behaved as Mr. Fluffy. Honestly, he appreciated the narcoleptic ball of fluff much more now. Even if he had barfed in his shoe yesterday.
Well over two weeks since he’d made love to his girl. Because she’d been in hospital and recovering before their visitors arrived and she hadn’t felt like she could relax enough to have sex while Reverend Pat was in the house.
But now they had all gone back to Nowhere. The puppies, who had all been to the vet including Mr. Fluffy, had all gone to good homes. Apparently, they were part Leonburger. He was so
glad they’d gotten them away from the Devil’s Sinners. The vet thought they’d probably intended to use them as drug mules.
Apparently, it was a thing some gangs did, using dogs to carry liquid bags of heroin inside them. Luther must have bought them from somewhere out of the city and had been transporting them to the gang headquarters when he stopped to track down Regan and lost one. God knows how Mr. Fluffy escaped since he was rarely awake. But he somehow had.
Millie had been relieved when the vet said that it was fine for Mr. Fluffy to be that sleepy. But they’d both been shocked to learn he’d likely to grow to well over two feet tall and would probably weigh around a hundred and forty pounds.
He moved down her tummy and then knelt up, pushing the blankets apart.
“Legs spread wide and stay very still. I don’t want you hurting yourself.”
Luther hadn’t done any further damage to her shoulder, thank fuck. But she was still unable to use that arm and he knew it frustrated her. There had been a few tantrums thrown over it, out of sight of their guests of course. This week, the ticks were going to be firmly on the punishment side of her chart.
He’d need to be imaginative with her punishment since he still wasn’t comfortable spanking her with her injured shoulder.
Lying on his stomach between her legs, he spread her lower lips, licking at her clit with long, firm swipes of his tongue. She let out a satisfied cry. Yeah, his baby was loud during sex.
And he fucking loved it.
He twirled his tongue around her clit then dropped it lower, running it over her folds, lapping up all her juices.
She tasted fucking delicious.
He played with her, teased her, brought her up to the edge over and over.
“Please, please, Daddy. I need to come.”
“Not sure you’re ready yet.” Her thighs were quivering, her whole body tense with the need to orgasm.
Poor baby.
Fuck, if his balls weren’t already tight with need, he might have stayed down here all day, playing with her, drinking from her.
But he took pity on her and this time when she reached that peak, he pushed her over, her cries of ecstasy making him grin. Placing a final kiss on her clit he moved up beside her, lying on his side.
“My pretty pussy. My plump nipple. My sexy baby doll.” Leaning in and took her nipple into his mouth, suckling on it.
“Oh. Ohh, please. I need you inside me. Don’t tell me no.”
He huffed out a laugh, and let her nipple go. “Baby doll, believe me, I don’t want to. Not to mention I find it very hard to say no to you.”
“That’s nice.”
He snorted. “Roll over towards me, onto your good side.”
He got out of bed and climbed in behind her. Hack had suggested she try going on birth control for her migraines so there was no need for condoms anymore.
“Oh God, did you research the best way to have sex with me while I’m injured?” she asked as he grabbed her leg and pulled it back so it rested on his thigh. Then he slid himself deep inside her.
“Sure did. Fucking hell, you feel like heaven.”
She felt like heaven? He felt even better. He was stretching her, filling her. She wanted more but he kept his thrusts shallow.
“Please, Spike. More. I need more.”
“Don’t want to hurt you.”
“You won’t. Please. Please.”
“Fuck. Christ. I’m so close.” His movements became harder, faster and she groaned in relief. He reached around to play with her nipples, careful not to jolt her arm. He toyed with them, pulled on them. The slight pain just pushed her arousal higher.
“Oh. Oh.”
Reaching down, he slid his finger against her clit. His movements became more erratic. She could hear his breath coming in faster pants.
“Come for me, baby doll. Come for Daddy.”
“Yes, oh yes,” she screamed as she came, clenching down around his hard dick. He gave his own roar of satisfaction. No less quiet and a smug smile crossed her face.
Definitely heaven.
* * *
“You ready to get dressed, baby doll?” Spike called out from the bedroom.
“Yep, just doing my make-up. I’ll only be a second. I have it all laid out.”
It felt like it had been forever since she’d overheard that conversation in a dark alleyway. Since her life changed forever. So much had happened.
Some of it hadn’t been good, of course. She was still worried about Tabby, she hadn’t heard from her at all. Spike promised he’d keep trying to find out what he could about her. So she guessed that would have to suffice. For the moment.
Even though she was sad that her friends had to leave, she was happy to have Spike to herself once more. Her body was still humming from the way he’d woken her up this morning.
Today, she was going to her first ever barbeque at Sunny and Duke’s place. Apparently, Duke and Sunny had these barbecues at least once a month and everyone would be there. She couldn’t wait to get to know Sunny and Betsy better. But she was also nervous as hell. About making a good impression, about what they might think about her, if she’d fit in.
“Millie, what is this?” Spike pointed at the clothes she’d laid out on the bed.
He didn’t like her dressing herself. He told her it was because she might strain her shoulder, but she had a feeling that even once she was healed, she still wouldn’t be allowed to put her own clothes on.
“It’s the clothes I chose, why?” She looked at the plain, black dress she’d bought online.
“You’re not wearing this.”
“Why not? Is it too casual? Not casual enough?” She chewed her lip. “What’s wrong with it?”
“It’s not you. That’s what is wrong with it. Now, go choose something else. Something you would really wear. With color. While I go put this in the trash.” He picked it up and walked towards the door.
“You can’t throw it away.”
“Why not? You’re not ever going to wear it.”
“But . . . but . . .”
He strode back to her, his eyebrows drawn down and then leaned in and kissed her fiercely. “What did I tell you? That you don’t ever change you, understand me? No. Matter. What.”
Tears filled her eyes. How had she been so lucky to find him?
“Now, find a new dress,” he commanded as he walked away. “And that’s two ticks on the naughty side of the chart.”
What? Well, that sucked.
* * *
Millie giggled as she watched all the puppies playing together. Royal and Baron each threw a ball and the excited fur balls practically fell over their big paws, trying to chase them. Well, all the puppies except for her boy who had found a patch of sunlight and promptly fell asleep.
Baron lay on the ground, laughing as the puppies crawled over him.
“Gonna have some tired puppies tonight,” Sunny said as she came and sat on a chair beside Millie. Betsy had taken a seat on the other side. They’d just eaten lunch and now the guys were up on the porch, having a drink and talking, while she’d come down here to watch the twins play with the puppies.
“Bandit has been sleeping in with the boys at night,” Betsy told them, sipping on a pink lemonade. “He alternates between their beds.”
“Spike won’t let Mr. Fluffy sleep in bed with me.” Millie pushed the skirt of her red dress down. She didn’t know why she’d been so worried about what she wore or fitting in. Everyone here was so nice.
“Razor is so sweet with his puppy, Luna and she adores him,” Sunny whispered, looking back at the large, dark-skinned man.
“I wish Hack was here with his puppy,” Millie said.
“I’m glad he took one, I worry he gets lonely,” Betsy said.
So did she.
“Hatter keeps chewing Duke’s boxers, at this rate he’s not going to have any left,” Sunny said with a grin. “I’m not complaining.”
“All of your friends have returned home?” Be
tsy asked.
“Yes, I miss them. But Spike said we can visit. I think he was pleased to see them go. Not that I can blame him, he’s used to having that big house to himself and they’re pretty loud. Plus, Reverend Pat kept grilling him on his intentions towards me.”
Sunny grinned. “Does that mean there’s going to be a wedding soon?”
She felt herself growing red. “I don’t know.”
But maybe.
* * *
She yawned as Spike carefully lifted her out of his truck.
“Someone’s tired.”
She scowled. “Am not.”
He raised his eyebrows at her as he grabbed hold of Mr. Fluffy in one arm. “And grouchy.”
“I’m not tired and I’m not grouchy.”
“Uh-huh.”
“Urgh. Daddy, I’m not tired.”
“Right.”
Oh, he could be so infuriating sometimes. Taking her hand in his, he led her inside. He set Mr. Fluffy down on the floor then helped her remove her shoes.
“You missed your nap.”
“I don’t needs a nap. I’m a big girl,” she complained. Only, she wasn’t right now. It had been a long time since she’d been able to let her Little side free. But finally, the house was free of people.
“Nope, you’re my baby doll. You need some Little time.”
Yeah. She really did.
He glanced at his watch. “Too late for a nap now, though.”
Yes!
“But if you’re too grouchy, Daddy will just have to put you to bed straight after dinner.”
Her lower lip dropped. He wouldn’t. “But Daddy we were gonna sit out and watch the fairy lights twinkle tonight.”
“Hmm, well you better be on your best behavior.”
“I will. I promise.”
Leaning in, he kissed her gently. “Such a beautiful girl. Got a present for you.”
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