“I don’t need a lot.”
He glared up at her. “You need what I say you need.”
“Ink,” she sighed, needing to have this conversation when she wasn’t in Little space. “I don’t need much. You shouldn’t spend all your money on me.”
He snorted. “Take buying more than a few pieces of clothing for me to spend all my money on you. My lack of crap in the house isn’t because I’m broke. It’s because I don’t fucking care.” He stood and tucked a piece of hair behind her ear. “Or I didn’t care. Until you. Everything I have, everything I’ve earned over the years, is ours. Not mine. It’s for both of us. So stop damn well thinking that things are yours or mine. They aren’t. They’re ours.”
She blinked away tears at his words.
“And if I ever hear you say again that you don’t want me to spend our money on you, I’m going to make you wear a vibrating egg for a whole day at work. And I’ll have the remote. You won’t be allowed to come, but I’ll torture you until your panties are soaking wet and you’re begging me to be allowed to come. Understand?”
“Yes.”
He kissed her gently. “Come on, or we’ll be fucking late for our appointment.”
What appointment?
* * *
She looked into the mirror, aware of her eyes glistening as she tossed her head back and forth.
“You like it?” the stylist asked anxiously, no doubt seeing that she was about to cry.
“Oh yes. I love it. Thank you so much!”
Relief filled the other woman’s face as she gave Betsy a small smile. Ink stepped forward and the stylist looked him up and down with a gaze of hunger. She got it. Ink had a gorgeous face mixed with muscles and that bad-boy look.
But he was hers.
“You look beautiful, brown eyes,” he told her.
She stood and launched herself at him. He gave a chuckle, holding her close. When she’d learned that the appointment was at one of the best hair salons in the city, she’d nearly chickened out.
She was glad she hadn’t.
It was just hair. She got that. But it was like she was starting to wipe away the last few months.
The hairstyle was different than the one she’d had previously. She’d wanted something new. Now she had bangs and it came to her shoulders in layers. It was edgier. Sharper.
Definitely sexy.
She loved it.
Ink paid. She was floating on a new hairstyle high and didn’t even feel bad about how much it had to have cost.
He slid his hand around hers as she started to walk outside. Tugging her back, he leaned in to whisper in her ear. “You just keep hold of my hand, Little girl. I don’t want you wandering off.”
She blushed even though no one could have heard him. She liked having him hold her hand. The hair salon wasn’t far from a big mall, so they’d parked there and walked along. Now, he led her into the mall towards a huge houseware store.
“Are you sure you want me to pick out stuff? It’s your home and I…”
He came to a stop and drew her over to where there was a small alcove with chairs. His eyes were fierce as he glared down at her. “It is not my home anymore. It’s ours. And I want you to be comfortable in it. Before, I never spent much time in it. That’s going to change. You need house shit to feel at home, then that’s what you’re getting. And if you don’t get exactly what you want, then I’m taking you out to the truck and putting you over my knee. Understood?”
“Yes, Daddy.”
“Good,” he grunted.
They spent the next hour shopping for things like rugs and cushions and kitchen crap as Ink called it. She’d learned not to pick up everything she admired because he would just add it to the pile. She had to bite her lip not to say anything as the sales lady tallied it up.
“Just as well you brought the truck, Daddy,” she said as he loaded everything up. She wasn’t allowed to help. “Are we still going for a ride on your bike this afternoon?”
“Hmm, we need to get you a jacket, pants and helmet before we can do that. And we’ve still got to go to the toy shop and buy you new clothes. Might depend on how long you sleep for.”
“Sleep? Why would I sleep?”
“You’re taking a nap this afternoon, of course.”
Of course? “I don’t need a nap.” Her foot stomped down on the ground.
He raised an eyebrow and looked down at her foot. “I would say that you definitely do need a nap. And if we didn’t desperately need to get you some clothes and toys, I’d take you right home now and put you to bed.” He laid a finger on her lips. “No more arguing.”
She glared up at him and he turned her back towards the mall entrance, landing a sharp smack on her ass.
She yelped and reached back to rub her bottom. “Mean Daddy.”
“Very mean,” he agreed, grinning. “Come on, let’s go buy you some more toys. One little elephant isn’t going to cut it.”
27
Buy some toys?
She was pretty certain they’d bought out the toy shop. There were stuffies, more coloring books, pens, play dough, Legos and a gorgeous dollhouse that she couldn’t wait to organize.
But her favorite thing was the teepee. As soon as she’d seen it, she couldn’t take her eyes off it. It was a peachy-pink color with white polka-dots. Ink had seen her basically drooling over it. She’d actually got her ass popped in the toy shop when she’d attempted to leave it behind.
But she was glad for it.
Not for the smack on her butt. That had been embarrassing. Especially when an older lady had stood there, staring at them in shock.
But he’d bought it.
And some soft pink cushions for the bottom, along with a polka-dot, pale blue blanket. Once it was set up, she was going to curl up inside it.
After the toy shop, they’d gone clothes shopping. Three clothing stores and she’d ended up with so much stuff she didn’t know what she would do with it all. And surprisingly, most of it wasn’t black.
She loved the leather jacket, gloves, boots and helmet he’d gotten from the motorcycle shop. The jacket was white with peach stripes and the boots were basically the sexiest things she’d ever owned.
But now she was exhausted. And the thought of unpacking everything made her want to cry.
She stood in the kitchen looking around at all the bags of stuff that Ink insisted on bringing up by himself and felt overwhelmed.
“Hey, button, what’s wrong?” With an alarmed look on his face, Ink hurried over to her, drawing her into his chest. She pressed her face against his chest.
“N-nothing.”
He scooped her up in his arms and carried her to the sofa. Sitting, he settled her on his lap. He ran his hand up and down her back.
“It’s got to be something,” he said.
“I…I…it’s just a lot and I don’t know where to start and I…”
“Oh, button, you’re exhausted and overwhelmed, huh?”
She nodded.
“You’re well overdue for your nap. It was too much for one small button to do in a day.” He stood with her in his arms. “Let’s put you down. You can have a nice sleep and Daddy will sort this all out. Well, except the house shit. I’ll leave that to you.”
“No, I should help.” She wiggled in his arms. Even though she was tired she didn’t want to nap. “I don’t need a nap.”
“You do need a nap,” he said firmly. “Stop moving around. Now, who would you like to take a nap with?”
She blinked up at him. “You?”
He grinned, his eyes dancing. “Much as I like the idea of that, button, I don’t think either of us would get any sleep. I meant which of your new toys would you like to sleep with?”
A blush filled her cheeks. “I want to sleep with Floppy.” That’s what she’d finally named her elephant.
“Ahh, he’s upstairs, isn’t he?”
She nodded as he started up the stairs. “I’ll get the teepee all set up for you s
o when you wake up you can have some quiet play time.”
He walked through his bedroom and into the bathroom.
“I thought we were going on a ride.” She really wanted to break in her new motorcycle gear.
“Tomorrow.”
“Nooo,” she grizzled. Hmm, now she sounded like a cranky toddler.
Ink must have thought so too as he set her on her feet with a sharp slap to her ass. Then without warning, he drew down her yoga pants and panties.
“What are you doing?” she squealed.
“You need to go.” He pointed at the toilet.
“I don’t.” How did he know she needed the bathroom?
“You were shifting around in the truck the whole drive home. I told you to go at the mall, didn’t I?”
He had, but for some reason she’d felt rebellious over the order.
“Sit. Go.” He gave her a firm look that told her he wasn’t joking around.
To her shock, once she sat on the toilet, he crouched in front of her and pulled her pants and panties off her feet.
“What are you doing?” She had to work hard to hold it in. She wasn’t peeing in front of him!
“You don’t need these to nap in and when you wake up, we’ll put some of your new panties and pants on.”
She wasn’t so sure she wanted to nap with a bare bottom but didn’t argue.
“Daddy, I needs to go.”
“I know. That’s why you’re on the toilet,” he replied reasonably.
“But you cants be in here!”
He sighed and shook his head. “Button, I’ve had my finger in your bottom. I intend to have my dick in there. I’ve washed every inch of you. Do you really think you can’t pee in front of me?”
Well, it did sound silly when he put it like that. And she couldn’t hold on much longer. Still, it was embarrassing as heck. But after she peed, he thankfully let her clean herself up, disappearing into the bedroom. She moved into the bedroom, to find the blankets pulled down and Floppy and her blanket on the bed. She climbed into bed, leaning back against the headboard. He’d drawn the curtains across and it was fairly dark in here.
Where had he gone?
Then he walked in, carrying the sippy cup he’d insisted on buying as well as the children’s book of fairytales. He’d also bought her a special plate with an elephant on it, and a bib even though she’d insisted she was old enough to eat without it.
He handed her the sippy cup filled with water. “Drink up, you haven’t drunk enough today.”
She brought the sippy cup to her lips. It was weird drinking from it, but she didn’t dislike it. After she’d finished, he took it from her and set it on the bedside table.
“Lie down, button. Daddy will tuck you in.”
A sigh of satisfaction left her as he tucked the blankets tightly around her. She could get used to this. Sitting on the bed next to her, he leaned against the headboard and started to read.
It wasn’t long at all until she was drifting off.
28
Betsy bounced around on her feet.
Ink chuckled as he grabbed out a long-sleeved charcoal Henley and pulled it on. Okay, that was hot. It molded to his muscles, highlighting his biceps and pecs.
Yum.
“Brown eyes, you keep staring at me like that and we won’t be going anywhere but back to bed.”
She glanced over at the bed longingly. “That’s tempting.” She turned back to him. “But I want to go for a ride more.”
“I think I was just insulted. My girl would rather ride my hog than me.” His eyes twinkled.
She strode towards him, trying to put some swing in her hips. She didn’t have much to swing and she probably looked ridiculous. But he didn’t seem to mind as his gaze tracked her movements. When she was close, she walked her fingers up his chest to run them along the tattoo that peeked over the top.
“Do you mind?”
He grasped her around the hips, dragging her closer. Then he picked her up. She wrapped her legs around his waist as he kissed her. It was fiery. It engulfed her. Swept her away. When he drew back, he was smirking. “Still think you’d rather ride my hog?”
“Hog? What hog?”
A bark of laughter filled the room. She loved when he laughed. He looked so carefree. Setting her down, he gave her a slap on the ass.
“Hey!” She rubbed her ass with a mock-scowl.
“Come on, brat. Let’s go.” He took hold of her hand and led her out of the bedroom and down the stairs. They were both dressed in long-sleeves and jeans. Their motorcycle gear was in a cupboard by the stairs. He pointed at a bench. “Sit, button.”
He held out her boots, helping her put each one on and brushing away her hands when she tried to do up the laces. “Daddy’s job.”
Happiness filled her as he got them both ready. He drew out her new jacket and slid it on her then he grabbed a long-sleeved black jacket for himself.
“You’re not wearing your cut?” she asked curiously. She hadn’t seen it yet. They were going to ride over to Sunny and Duke’s for a BBQ. They hosted one every few weeks at their house for the guys.
“My cut? No, I usually only wear it at the compound and bar or for other club stuff.” He took her hand in his and led her to the elevator. She loved the way he held her hand, as though worried she might disappear on him.
That was never going to happen.
When they reached the garage, he grabbed a helmet from the bench along the wall. It was white and peach like her jacket. Then he walked her over to the bike, showing her where to put her feet. “Remember to hold on tight to Daddy.”
He didn’t need to worry about that.
“Let’s get this helmet on you.”
“Where’s yours, Daddy?”
“I don’t have one.”
She frowned. “Then how comes I got to have one?”
He kissed the tip of her nose. “Because you’re my precious button, that’s why. And I’m always going to take care of you.”
When she climbed on behind him, she wrapped her hands around him tight, turning her head and resting it on his back. The bike started up with a purr. It rumbled beneath her.
Her breath caught as the garage door opened and he moved them out onto the road with a roar. They whipped down the streets, her body moving with his.
Holy. Hell.
She loved it. A huge smile filled her face as she breathed in the air.
This. This was freedom.
And she never wanted to let it go.
When they reached a wide street in the suburbs that had small houses set on big sections, Ink began to slow down.
This is where Duke and Sunny lived? It was so cute. So normal. Ink turned his bike into a driveway with a well-kept house and tidy yard. It had a small porch out front and was painted gray with white trim. This house was so Sunny.
And so not Duke.
She climbed off the bike and Ink removed her helmet. She smoothed down her hair.
“I don’t think I need a helmet next time,” she muttered.
“That is not up for negotiation, button.”
The front door opened and Sunny bounded down the steps with a smile. “Betsy!”
“Hi, Sunny.”
She didn’t know why, but she felt a bit shy. Maybe it was because it was a new place or perhaps it was because she was meeting the rest of Ink’s friends today. She wasn’t sure. But she found herself slipping her hand into Ink’s big one.
Hopefully, Sunny didn’t take offence at her reserve. But the other woman just gave her a knowing look. “How was the ride?”
“Oh, it was really good.”
“It’s fun, right?” Sunny pouted. “Duke still won’t let me ride my bike.”
“I don’t think I’d like my own bike,” Betsy said, glancing over at Ink. “It’s too much fun riding on the back.”
Sunny nodded. “You’re right about that. The others are all on the back porch where Duke is grilling but do you want a tour first?”
Betsy looked to Ink who gave her a small smile of encouragement.
“Yes, please.”
Sunny took her on a whirlwind tour that ended outside a closed door. “Okay, all that other stuff was boring. This is the best room in the house.” Sunny opened the door. “Welcome to my play room.”
Walking in, Betsy took it all in. Covering all of one wall and half of the next wall was a scene from Alice in Wonderland. There was a white desk and chair and a colorful rug on the floor. A doll’s house rested against one wall. Then in another area there was a doll’s cot, high chair and a gorgeous old-fashioned looking stroller.
A tea set had been set up on a blanket in the middle of the room. A doll, a worn-looking monkey and a giant unicorn sat around the blanket.
“What do you think?” Sunny whispered. “I mean, I thought you might like to play for a bit. But it’s okay if you’d rather not.”
She turned to see Sunny watching her worriedly and she realized how nervous she had to be, letting Betsy in here. Showing her a place that was precious to her.
“I love it, Sunny. I’m totally jealous. Although Ink did take me shopping for some toys yesterday.”
“Ooh, what did you get? Tell me.” Sunny shut the door behind her and they settled in at the tea party while Betsy told her about the shopping trip.
“I think I need a teepee!” Sunny said. “That sounds awesome.”
“I think I need a giant unicorn,” Betsy countered, patting the big toy beside her.
“That’s sparkle pony. When we bought him, we had Spike’s truck. Duke took a photo of him riding around in the back with his head out the window and sent it to Spike. I think he’s got a soft spot for him now.”
She had to giggle at big, terrifying Spike having a soft spot for a stuffed unicorn. They played until Duke came and got them, dragging them out to eat. By the time lunch was over, and they’d ridden home she was feeling tired but happy.
Hero Daddy Page 27