Total pages in book: 81
Estimated words: 81930 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 410(@200wpm)___ 328(@250wpm)___ 273(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 81930 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 410(@200wpm)___ 328(@250wpm)___ 273(@300wpm)
“I’m sorry for interrupting.” She backed away, but she didn’t notice the stack of stuffies on a stand behind her. She crashed into the stand, sending the stuffed toys flying.
A hand over her mouth, she turned, taking in the mess. Then she kneeled, picking up toys while Liam rushed over to help her.
“I’m so sorry. I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to. I wasn’t looking. Oh no, I’ll pay for the damages.”
Marcus tried to move toward her, hating the worry in her voice. He knew her family was to blame for the way she fretted so much. Her horrible parents had always blamed her for everything that went wrong in their lives.
Assholes.
But to his shock, Eliot got there first.
“Easy, little one,” he said soothingly. “It’s okay. There was no harm.”
“I made a huge mess, though.” Her eyes were wide as she stared up at them both. Eliot crouched down next to her.
“Did you mean to?”
“What? No, I would never make a mess like this. I’m so sorry.”
“Liam, could you leave us for a moment?” Eliot asked. “We’ll get this all tidied up.”
“Sure thing,” Liam said cheerfully. He glanced down at Isla. “As long as you’re sure you’ll all right? You weren’t hurt?”
“Oh no. I’m fine.”
“Good. Because that’s the most important thing.”
She stared at Liam’s back as he walked away.
“He’s right, little one,” Eliot added. “All that matters is that you’re unhurt.”
Isla stared at him in amazement.
Marcus hated that she was so shocked by someone worrying about her, rather than berating her for a mistake.
“It… it is? But I’m fine.”
“Why do I get the feeling that you’d say that whether you were or not?”
“Ooh, he’s got you pegged, La-la,” Marcus said, coming over to kneel next to her. “She totally does that.”
Eliot shot him a look, then looked back at Isla. “Do you, Isla?”
“I-I”—she looked from him to Marcus, clearly confused—“I guess so.”
“You guess?” Eliot pressed. His voice wasn’t unkind, but it was clear he wanted her to tell him herself. And he wasn’t letting her brush him off.
Damn.
Why did Marcus find that so hot?
“Yes, it’s something I do. Sorry.”
“Then we just need to help you stop doing that. Because brushing your feelings away, ignoring them, thinking that they aren’t as important as other people’s feelings and emotions isn’t healthy, little one.”
She licked her lips, looking nervous and pale. Marcus frowned. She really needed some rest. Had he kept her up too late last night?
“Are the two of you… I mean, aren’t you leaving?” she whispered.
Fuck.
He couldn’t leave now. Marcus needed to get to know him. Isla too. He wanted them both to feel secure and looked after with a Daddy-Dom. But he didn’t want just anyone.
He wanted this big bear of a man who was sweet and stern.
Life really would be easier if everyone just gave him whatever he wanted.
Yeah, he was spoiled.
And he wasn’t going to apologize.
Eliot stared down into the pale, tired face of the girl kneeling with a toy snake in one hand and a rabbit in the other. There was worry in her face. He preferred to see her smiling.
He could imagine the two of them playing together. Maybe doing something naughty and staring up at him with looks of chagrin when they got caught.
Well, her chagrin would likely be real. The sassy brat would probably just be putting it on to avoid a spanking.
But it hit him hard that he wanted to be a Daddy again. To have a Little depend on him, look to him for support and care. For discipline and reassurance.
He never thought he’d want that after Anna died. A swirl of guilt moved through his gut.
Was it right to feel this way? She was the love of his life… but did that mean there was only one love for each of them?
Understanding filled Isla’s face. She gave him a sad smile. “It’s okay, Eliot. We understand.”
They understood what?
“Yeah, we do.” Marcus drew Isla close to him. She leaned her head on his shoulder. “I’m really sorry if I was pushing you before you’re ready. I can be a bit of a bulldozer when I want something. And when I saw you… well, you’re all my Daddy fantasies wrapped up in a gorgeous package.”
“I am?” He was pretty sure he was old enough to be their father. Isla’s anyway. His beard was more gray than brown these days. And he was carrying more weight than he ever had. He was no catch.
“Oh yeah,” Marcus said with admiration. The look in the younger man’s eyes had him nearly puffing up like a proud rooster.
Ridiculous.
He was too old for this. Surely.
“You’re so damn sexy. Tall and broad. You have this mountain man look going on. When you give us that Daddy look”—Marcus shivered—“yeah, it’s hard to keep Marcus Junior contained.”
“Marcus!” Isla chided. She smacked her palm against her forehead.