“It’s just me, Little girl.” Steele’s voice wrapped around her before he slid his arms under her back and knees to scoop her from the cot.
Linking her hands behind his head, she melted against his chest as her Daddy carried her to the clubhouse. She didn’t look up as he carried her through the crowd gathered inside for dinner directly to his apartment. Ivy should have felt self-conscious, but the combination of Steele’s presence and the vibes put off by the group reassured her completely.
When Steele sat in an oversized chair with her cuddled on his lap, she sighed with delight. If only she could freeze this moment in time and never had to deal with life’s challenges and all that seemed to be against her now. His hand stroked over her hair and returned to brush lightly over the bruising that was turning an ugly color of green.
“How’s your head feel, Little girl?”
“It feels okay. The ache gets better every day. I don’t get as dizzy when I turn my head quickly. I think I’ll be okay to go back to work next week.”
“Not happening,” he firmly decreed.
“You’re not really in control,” she felt compelled to say, correcting him. His amused chuckle told her Steele wasn’t under the impression that she had any say in her recovery.
“You’re not the boss of me,” she reminded him.
“I’m your Daddy. There is no bigger authority out there, Ivy girl. The sooner you admit that to yourself, the happier you’ll be. Are you hungry now, or would you like to take a bath and then have a light dinner before I tuck you in bed?”
“With bubbles?” popped out of her mouth before she could contain her excitement.
“I think I can find some bubbles for you, Little girl.”
“Bath,” she declared without allowing herself to let her embarrassment of being naked in front of him change her decision—besides, the bubbles he promised her would cover everything.
“Good choice,” he agreed with a smile, and he hugged her before lifting her to stand between his legs. He stripped off the black leggings she’d worn that day and her pretty underwear.
“All the pairs you put in the drawer are the same color. Do you have any panties that aren’t green?” he asked.
She shrugged and admitted, “It’s kind of my thing. Most of my underwear is green. I think it brings me luck. And, with a name like Ivy, it’s probably a good idea to like that color.”
His hand cupped her face, and Steele told her, “Green has suddenly become my favorite color. Your eyes are stunning.”
“They match my bruises,” she joked, dismissing his compliment. There wasn’t anything about her that was stunning.
“Stop.” Steele pulled her T-shirt over her head and stripped off her bra, leaving her naked in front of him.
“Stop what?” she asked, feeling vulnerable as he looked over her body.
“Your eyes are stunning,” he said, repeating the compliment she’d brushed off.
She stared at his serious expression. He really meant what he said. Steele wasn’t giving her superficial compliments. “Thank you?”
“That’s better. Let’s get you in the bathtub.” Scooping her up in his arms, Steele carried her to the bathroom and set her on her feet. “Go potty.”
The urge to go hit her, and Ivy rushed toward the toilet as he turned to fill the tub with warm water. Enjoying the delicious view of his ass as he leaned over to check the temperature of the water coming from the spigot, Ivy pinched herself to make sure this wasn’t a nightmare turned into a dream.
“Ouch!”
Steele whirled as he stood. In two steps, he was by her side. “What happened?”
“I was just making sure I was really awake,” she mumbled.
He smoothed his hands over her shoulders before gathering her hair and securing it loosely with a large scrunchie. Steele guided her with a firm hand. “Let’s get you in the tub, Little girl.”
After urging her forward to the mass of fragrant bubbles, Steele turned off the faucet before helping her step safely into the tub and settle into the warm water. “It’s perfect, Daddy,” she whispered as she leaned back against the porcelain to close her eyes. Ivy sighed happily.
She peeked one eye open when she heard him moving. Steele knelt by the side of the tub, picked up a washcloth, and dipped it into the water.
“Keep your eyes closed, Little girl.”
Steele stroked the cloth over her face before drying it carefully. The feel of something weighted settling across her eyelids startled Ivy. She froze in place. The netlike bag smelled heavenly and whatever it was pressed solidly over her forehead and eyes. She felt his lips drop a kiss on her hair before she heard him shift away.
In a few seconds, Ivy felt him stroke the washcloth over her feet and ankles. The terrycloth tickled between her toes, making her giggle.
Ivy considered suggesting that she could wash herself, but pushed that out of her mind. He wanted to take care of her. Having him bathe her was exquisite. Unable to rely on her vision, her other senses took over. The sensations of the warm, fragrant liquid lapping around her, the silky bubbles clinging to her skin, and the brush of the cloth lulled her into an intimate bubble of space that only included Ivy and her Daddy.
“Spread your legs, Ivy girl,” he directed, drawing the cloth over her inner thighs.
She held her breath, hoping he would stimulate her. The cloth simply whisked through her pink folds and washed her bottom. Disappointment crashed over her.
“Don’t wrinkle your nose at me, Little girl. Keeping secrets from your Daddy does not earn you any playtime,” he lectured as he washed her tummy.
“But I can’t tell you stuff about the bank. They would fire me,” she protested.
“I don’t need to know all your business, Little girl. I only need to know what endangers you.”
The cloth swirled over her breasts. Her nipples tightened so hard they ached. Ivy moaned when his thumb stroked over one tip, seemingly by accident. She concentrated, sending mental encouragement toward him to lavish her with caresses.
When he abandoned her sensitive peak and washed down one arm to her hand, Ivy pushed her lower lip out in a disgruntled pout. That didn’t work.
“Who’s in charge, Ivy?”
After a short pause to show Steele he didn’t control everything, she admitted, “Daddy.”
Steele ignored her small hesitation and continued to bathe her. Ivy allowed herself to be distracted as he washed each of her fingers, tugging them slightly and releasing the tension in her hands. This is heaven.
Finishing with her shoulders and neck, Steele massaged her muscles gently. He cupped her shoulder with one powerful hand and squeezed gently. “Ready to get out of the tub, Ivy girl, or would you like to sit in here for a while?”
“Can I stay here? Just for a little bit?” she whispered.
“Of course.”
Ivy listened to him move around the room as she relaxed. She loved how safe being with Steele felt. Holding her breath, she sent a wish into the universe, hoping to feel this way forever.
By the time they made it to dinner, most people had already eaten. The club members had dispersed through the room, playing pool, talking smack, and drinking beer. Everyone greeted and talked to them as they passed through the room.
Ivy was surprised these rough-looking guys had accepted her so readily. When they sat down at a table to enjoy the chili from the immense slow cooker, Ivy bumped her shoulder against her Daddy’s.
“You okay, Little girl?”
“Your guys are so nice.”
“You’re one of us now, Little girl.” He held a spoonful of chili to her lips.
As she chewed, a feeling of security settled around her. Even before all this mess, she’d missed having friends she could count on. Her job at the bank required that she interacted with the other employees with a bit of distance between them. She definitely didn’t have any people she would consider true friends.
Ivy looked over at Carlee as she hung out with some of the club members. Carlee didn’t know her at all, but she’d brought Ivy clothes to the hospital so she’d have something to go home in. Other than the bank president, no one she’d worked with for years had even visited.
“You’re thinking too hard, Ivy,” Steele warned and offered her another bite, which she accepted to give herself time to concoct a response that he’d understand.
Finally, Ivy swallowed and admitted, “Your friends have my back so much more than anyone else in my life.”
“I’m sorry, Little girl. It shouldn’t be that way, but things are different for you now. The Guardians protect everyone who needs us in Shadowridge. You, however, are special.”
“Because I’m yours?”
“Because you’re mine.”