Daddy's Angel (Montana Daddies Book 7)

by Laylah Roberts

  He ran his hand over his face. “No, I’m sorry. That was me being defensive.”

  “I get it,” she said quietly.

  He gently grasped hold of her chin. “Such a sweetheart. I’ll try to do better.”

  “I don’t. . .I don’t care how much money you have. All I ever wanted growing up was my parents time and love. Not the things they could buy me.”

  “Ari. I know you’re more than your money. You’re smart, kind, creative and generous. I see you. And seems to me you need to be spoiled. Gonna give you all the time and attention you need. Maybe more than you even want.” He grinned. “You might get sick of me.”

  She was pretty sure she wouldn’t.

  “I find it hard to let other people close to me. I was never able to make friends. I was always that weird, quiet Silvers girl. Now, I never know whether someone is being nice to me because they like me or they want me to do something for them.”

  “People have done that? Gotten close to you to use you?”

  She smiled sadly. “Yeah. More often than I care to admit. That’s why it’s so surprising how at ease I feel with you. I think part of it is because you’re so honest. Sometimes perhaps a bit too honest. But I know you’ll always tell me the truth. And you’ve opened up to me as well. About your ex-wife. Your life.”

  “I don’t like secrets. Arianna, you’re safe with me. Your safety, happiness and protection is the most important thing to me.”

  “I know.” She licked her lips and took a steadying breath. She knew he wouldn’t make fun of her. She just had to lower that final barrier and let him in. Let him be everything she needed.

  “Can I have my juice in a sippy cup, Daddy?” A weight truly lifted, and she found herself smiling. It felt so right.

  “You sure can, baby girl. Here’s your juice. Daddy wants you to drink it all, okay?”

  She held her new doll close to her chest, feeling nervous. She reached out for the cup.

  “What do you say?” he asked.

  “Umm.”

  “Thank you, Daddy.”

  “Oh. Thank you, Daddy.” Kind of ironic that he was teaching her about manners when he pretty much had none. But the smile he gave her was everything.

  “Good girl. What’s your dolly’s name?” He lay on his side.

  She tipped back the sippy cup and drank before putting it down. “I don’t know.” She peered at the doll. It was soft bodied with dark brown hair and light brown eyes.

  “She looks like a Melly. I’m going to name her Melly.”

  “Sounds good, baby. I’m going to put some food on your plate, and I want you to eat it all, understand?”

  She frowned. She wasn’t sure about that. She watched as he put two sandwich triangles on her plate along with a bunch of grapes. He picked up some cheese and crackers, just putting a few out.

  “That’s a lot of food, Daddy. I don’t know if I can eat it all.”

  “Give it a good go.”

  There was a strict note in his voice that had her nodding her head in agreement. She could try, she guessed.

  He filled up his own plate, which overflowed by the time he was finished.

  “Daddy, are you sure you should eat all that? You’ll get a sore tummy.”

  He raised his eyebrows. “I need all this food to fuel my muscles. Got to be able to carry my baby girl around. Even though she protests when I pick her up and put her places.”

  She had to grin. “Daddy, I gots a secret. Wanna hear it?”

  His eyes danced with enjoyment. He really did like this. He looked more at ease than she’d ever seen him.

  “What is it? Little girls shouldn’t keep secrets from their daddies, you know.”

  She leaned over and whispered in his ear. “I actually like you picking me up and carrying me places.”

  His eyes widened and he let out a dramatic gasp. “No!”

  She nodded enthusiastically. “Uh-huh. It’s true. No lies.”

  “I would never have guessed.” He grinned at her. Then he started eating. She had lost interest in the food, especially when Melly had come with all these cool outfits. Hmm, what to change her into first?

  She began pulling off the clothes Melly already had on.

  “Angel, eat your lunch or I’m going to have to put Melly away,” he warned.

  She paused with a gasp. “What? No! Daddy, you can’t do that!”

  “Can and will, little bit. Now eat something.”

  She studied him, trying to ascertain if he was serious or not. He gave her a stern look. She let out a dramatic sigh but picked up a couple of grapes and ate them.

  Yum. She did love grapes.

  She pulled off Melly’s top then turned her over to undo and tug off her jeans. She gasped as she saw her doll’s bottom.

  “Daddy!”

  “What’s wrong?”

  “Somebody spanked Melly!” She turned her doll around to show him her doll’s bottom.

  His lips twitched into a smile.

  “Daddy! It’s not a smiling matter.”

  “She was bought from a Little store. Guessing lots of people who shop there have had red bottoms at some stage. The dolls are probably modelled on them.”

  She scrunched up her nose. “That’s not very nice, is it, Melly? What did you do that was so naughty, hmm?”

  “She probably didn’t listen to her Daddy and eat her lunch. That seems to be a problem going around.”

  Okay. She got it.

  “Do you want some sandwich, Melly?” She grabbed one and held it up to her doll’s mouth. “Nom, nom, nom.”

  “How about Ari eats some food, huh?” Bain prompted.

  She wrinkled her nose. “Ari isn’t hungry.”

  “Ari hasn’t eaten since breakfast. And Ari needs to listen to Daddy. Last warning.”

  The urge to push was there. To see exactly what would happen. But caution held her back. With a big sigh, she picked up a sandwich and dutifully ate it.

  “Good girl,” he said warmly.

  Happiness bubbled inside her. She liked being a good girl. She continued to play with her doll, feeding her bits of food and chatting to her.

  “Eat again, Ari,” Bain prompted.

  “I already ate, Daddy,” she replied.

  “Hand over Melly please,” he said firmly.

  She looked up at him and hugged her doll close to her chest. “No!”

  His gaze narrowed. “Yes. Now. No more warnings or it’s corner time for you.”

  Don’t be a bother, Arianna. Just do what Daddy wants.

  She reluctantly handed over Melly, her lower lip trembling.

  He shook his head. “Adorable, angel. But not going to work.”

  She sniffled. “How comes I can’t have Melly? Was she naughty?”

  “No, Melly wasn’t naughty. However, she was distracting Ari from using her listening ears.”

  “I’ll put them on, Daddy and then I can have her back.” She smiled cheerfully. Problem solved. She picked up an imaginary pair of ears and secured them on. “Got them on. Now I can have Melly.”

  She reached out, but he stood and placed Melly on the bed. “No, you already had your chance to eat and play. I can see there needs to be a ban on toys at mealtimes. It’s difficult enough to get you to eat as it is.”

  She gave him big puppy dog eyes.

  He just shook his head. “Nope. New rule. No dolls or other toys while Ari is supposed to be eating. You can have Melly back after lunch.”

  “But what if she gets hungry?”

  “I’m sure she can wait,” he said dryly.

  “Daddy! That’s not very nice.”

  He grinned. “Daddy never claimed to be nice.”

  “I think Daddy might be the naughty one. I think Daddy might need a spankin’.”

  “Oh, it’s not Daddy who gets spanked around here for misbehaving. Now, come here, little bit.” He crooked a finger at her.

  She was immediately suspicious. Oh no.

  “Why?”
r />   “Arianna Marie, come here right now.”

  She practically threw herself at him. What was she doing? She needed to behave. She wasn’t sure what to make of this side of herself. She didn’t want Bain to get tired of her.

  “Sorry, Daddy,” she muttered.

  “That’s okay, baby.” He kissed the top of her head. “Daddy’s fault for letting you have Melly before eating.” He settled her on his lap and picked up a sandwich, feeding it to her. She didn’t think she’d ever had anyone feed her since she was a child. It was a bit odd, but as she settled into his lap, she kind of started to like it.

  He was taking care of her.

  “I really loves her, Daddy. Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome, baby. Here, have some juice.” He held the sippy cup up to her mouth.

  She reached up to grab the cup and he pulled it away. “Uh-uh, if Daddy is feeding you then he helps you drink as well. Just keep your hands on your lap, please.”

  His voice was firm, and she dropped her hands as he held the sippy cup to her mouth.

  “Good, baby?” he asked after he took away the cup.

  He turned her further into his chest and started rubbing her back. She let out a small burp and immediately gasped, horrified.

  “I’s sorry. I didn’t mean to do that!”

  He grinned down at her. “It’s okay, baby. I don’t know how, but even your burps are cute.”

  She rolled her eyes. He was crazy. She settled her face into his chest, her eyes fluttering shut. “I like this. I wish it never had to end.”

  He stilled, staring down at her. End? She was already thinking of when this would end? She yawned and he continued to rub her back, liking the way she nestled into his lap.

  “Somehow, it seems easier to always be Little, but I know I can’t.”

  Ahh. That’s what she’d meant. That knot in his stomach unraveled. He didn’t know what the future would bring. They both lived very different lives. But he’d gone into this relationship knowing that. Compromising wasn’t something he was used to doing.

  But for her, it would be worth it. Even if he only got a fraction of her time, it would be worth it.

  He’d half-expected her to throw a tantrum earlier when he’d taken Melly away to help her focus on eating. So he’d been surprised when she’d pulled back.

  He had to judge where the line was. How hard or easy to go.

  “Come on, baby. Time for bed.”

  “It’s not bedtime!”

  “It’s naptime.”

  “Nuh-uh. I’m a big girl. I don’t need a nap.”

  “You’re not a big girl. You’re my baby. And you very much need a nap. You were nearly asleep on my lap.”

  “I was relaxin’, Daddy. I’m all better now. See? Wide awake.” She pushed her eyes open with her fingers.

  He snorted. “Nice try, angel. But it’s naptime. Go use the bathroom, then I’ll help you put your PJs on.”

  “But I don’t wanna nap, Daddy.” Her face grew mutinous.

  He pointed at the bathroom, making sure he kept his face stern. “Bathroom. Now. Or do you want to have a nap with a red bottom?”

  Her eyes narrowed. Here it came. He was certain she was going to refuse and end up over his knee. But she stood and stomped her way towards the bathroom. “Come on, Melly. Daddy says we gotta take a nap even if we don’t think we need a nap. Yeah. . .I know. . .silly, huh?”

  He shook his head at her antics then he got her pajamas ready. When she moved back into the bedroom, he was sitting on the bed. He crooked a finger at her. She dragged her feet as she moved towards him.

  He tilted up her face. “Daddy just wants you healthy, all right? Don’t like that you sleepwalk because I’m worried that something might happen to you. I also don’t like how tired you look. All right?”

  “Yeah, Daddy. I’m sorry.”

  “Good girl. Now, put your arms up. Let’s get you changed.” He stood and whipped off her sweater. She was dressed in just a tank top underneath. Then he sat and started to pull down her pants. He heard her indrawn breath, but she didn’t say anything as he drew her pants off. Then he grabbed her pajama bottoms. He figured she could sleep in the tank top comfortably.

  “Hold onto my shoulders, angel. I don’t want you falling over.”

  He helped her into the pants. Then he stood and walked over to grab her sleep sack. “Want to try it?”

  She nodded eagerly. He laid it out on the bed and helped her climb in. She mumbled something happily.

  “You like?”

  “Uh-huh, feels like my whole body being hugged.”

  He kissed her cheek gently. “Good. You can sleep in it each nap time and at night.”

  Her eyes closed as he started to lightly massage her scalp.

  “If you need to go potty, you can get up but otherwise I want you to stay in bed until I come get you, understand?”

  “Yes.”

  “Yes, Daddy,” he prompted.

  “Yes, Daddy.”

  “Thank you for trusting me. I haven’t enjoyed a picnic so much in my life.”

  She smiled up at him. “Me either, Daddy.”

  “Now, close your eyes and I’ll stay with you until you go to sleep.”

  Her eyes fluttered shut and her thumb crept into her mouth. Nope. Couldn’t have that. He walked over to the bag of stuff he’d bought her and drew out the pacifier. He’d already washed it. He slid her thumb from her mouth.

  “No, Daddy,” she grumbled.

  “Yes, little one. Try this.” He pressed the pacifier into her mouth. She screwed up her nose and spat it back out.

  “Yuck, Daddy.”

  “Daddy wants you to try this for him. Let yourself get used to it. No spitting it out.”

  She sighed then opened her mouth. “Good girl. Go to sleep. Daddy is watching over you. That’s my little angel.”

  16

  “Yay! I won!”

  She jumped to her feet and did a dance. Dominic and Bain just gave her indulgent smiles.

  “Another game?” she asked, sitting down.

  “Nope,” Bain replied as he and Dominic started packing up Candyland. It was her favorite. Although, she loved most board games. “It’s bedtime.”

  “Bedtime? It’s early.”

  “You need sleep.”

  “You made me take a two-hour nap today.”

  “You’re playing catch-up.”

  “I had to take one yesterday as well,” she pointed out. After breakfast, she and Bain had joined Dominic in the gym and then she’d spent most of the day in Little space, playing in her bedroom, before Bain made her nap.

  And she’d been an angel all day. She was proud of herself even though there had been a few times when she’d had to rein herself in. She didn’t want to be a bother or give him any cause to reject her.

  “Bedtime,” he said firmly.

  “But, Daddy,” she wheedled. Then she froze. Shit. Shit. Shit. It had just slipped out.

  But it had slipped out in front of Dominic. Mortification filled her.

  “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry,” she muttered to Bain.

  “Angel, it’s okay—”

  She jumped up, her face burning.

  What an idiot! What if Bain didn’t want Dominic to know that about them? What if she’d just horribly embarrassed him?

  What would he do?

  Would he decide she wasn’t worth the effort anymore?

  She raced out of the living room, down the passage and into her bedroom. She started pacing. She was barely aware of the door opening and Bain stepping inside.

  “Angel, what’s going on?”

  “I’m so sorry. Did I embarrass you? I didn’t mean to. It just slipped out. It won’t happen again, I promise. Please don’t leave.” Tears dripped down her cheeks. She wiped at them, forcing herself to stare at him.

  “Whoa, okay, angel. You seem to have jumped to some rash conclusions.” He studied her, carefully moving forward as though he thought she might bolt.


  “Angel, I’m going to pull you into my arms, all right? Shh. It’s all right. Everything is fine.” He tugged her close and she buried her face into his chest.

  “Sorry. Sorry.”

  “Angel, you have nothing to be sorry about.”

  “I called you Daddy in front of Dominic,” she wailed. Hadn’t he heard?

  But he didn’t pull away from her, he simply kept rubbing her back with slow, firm strokes.

  “Angel, calm down. Calm down so Daddy can talk to you. Good girl. Let’s get Patches, I bet she’ll make you feel better.”

  He settled her on his lap on the bed and picked up Patches. She held the dog tight and buried herself back into his arms.

  “Tell me what just happened.”

  “I embarrassed you.”

  “You did? How?”

  Why did they even have to talk about this? “You were there.”

  “I was. Want you to explain why you think I’m embarrassed. Sure as shit don’t feel embarrassed.”

  “You. . .you don’t?”

  “Nope.”

  “You don’t care that I called you Daddy in front of someone else? Does Dominic. . .does he know?”

  “Haven’t told you about Sanctuary Ranch, have I?”

  What did that have to do with anything?

  “No.”

  “You said Caleb is a Daddy Dom, right?”

  “Yes,” she whispered. “He, uh, he told me that your boss was one and that a lot of the men that worked for him were too. Does that mean Dominic is?”

  “He is. Many of the men who live on Sanctuary Ranch are Daddy Doms. All of the men believe in protecting and treasuring the women who live there.”

  She breathed a sigh of relief.

  “Just so we’re clear, even if he wasn’t, I wouldn’t have cared that you called me Daddy in front of him. Call me Daddy in front of whoever you like.”

  “I. . .I can?”

  “Yeah, baby. Nothing you could ever do would embarrass me.”

  “You don’t know that,” she whispered.

  “This is about your parents.”

  She really didn’t want to talk about this. “I’m tired, Daddy.”

  “I know you are. But communication, remember?”

  “Maybe you should tell me more about where you live,” she suggested.

  “I’ll tell you anything you wish to know. But right now, we’re talking about you. And why you freaked out.”