Page 48 of Addiction

“I don’t know.” She pulled in a breath, turning back to the window in a thinly veiled attempt to hide her feelings.

“It’s okay if you’re not.” Reaching for her, he rubbed her shoulder tenderly through the robe. “I get it, little girl. This has all been a lot for you.”

That might have been the understatement of the century.

“She agreed to meet me at Osbourne’s.” Ella ignored his comment entirely, her focus fixed solely on the city outside his window. “So, that’s good.”

“Come here.” He opened his arms for an embrace but hoped his tone told her that it wasn’t a request.

Slowly, she shuffled toward him, resting her hot face against his collarbone as his arms encircled her.

“Speaking to her was harder than I thought it would be.”

“I bet.” Holding her tight, one of his hands rose to stroke the back of her head. “But you’re glad you called her, right?”

“Yes, sir.” She nodded, pressing the device against his skin. “I guess you’ll be wanting this back?”

He stared down at the phone before his concentration rose to her face, understanding her true meaning. She knew he didn’t trust her enough to let her keep the phone yet.

Pressing his lips together, he accepted her inference.

He wanted to trust her and hoped they were getting close to the point where he could, but deep down, he realized he was still the source of so much pain for his little girl. He was keeping her from the people she loved, and he couldn’t risk her calling someone else without his knowledge. It was better if he removed that temptation from her.

“Thank you, little girl.” He took the phone from her delicate fingers. “Why don’t you sit down, Ella? I’ll get you a drink.”

“Thanks.” Her smile was surprisingly warm, considering what she’d been through. “I’ve lost track of time, but I am exhausted.”

He could understand her weariness. She hadn’t slept properly for days. They both needed a decent rest.

“Then we’ll make it a drink before bedtime.” He crossed the expanse of carpet to the cabinet where he kept his decanters. “What can I get you, little girl?” Peering over his shoulder, he grinned at her stunned expression.

“What, you mean an actual drink, sir?” She pressed her palms to her cheeks, feigning surprise. “Do you need to check my I.D.?”

“Don’t push your luck, little girl.” He chuckled at her audacious insolence, shocked at how little it grated. Once upon a time, he’d have flipped her over his lap for such impertinence, but as he placed down the phone and selected his favorite whiskey, he realized there was little desire to reassert his authority. They both accepted who was in charge, but he sensed this calmer version of Ella was more liable to open up and reveal her true feelings.

I want that.

It was a good thing, he supposed, that they had discovered this easier and more relaxed energy between them. He wanted her to be comfortable… just not too comfortable.

“Is that a no?” She grinned as she snuggled against the scattered oversized cushions on his couch. “You don’t need I.D.?”

“Keep it up.” He threw her a playful leer as he poured the whiskey into a crystal tumbler. It had been a while since he’d been able to revel in a reward like this one.

“Sorry.” She leaned back against the sofa, squeezing the pillow tighter. “I’m just not used to alcohol and cushions, that’s all.”

“I can find a dirty broom closet to use as a cell for you if you’d prefer it.” He arched an eyebrow but was unable to resist the smile that rose at her giggle.

“Er, no, thank you, sir. I’ll take a gin and tonic instead.”

“Deal.” Turning back to his alcohol selection, he chose his finest gin and poured a measure for his little girl. “Can I trust you to wait here while I fetch the tonic water from the kitchen?”

He already trusted her that much. The doors out of the apartment were all locked, and he believed they’d moved past the point where she might attack him.

“Scouts honor, sir.” She bit on her lower lip, every inch the naughty little girl who needed his discipline. “I’ll stay right here.”

“In that spot,” he clarified as he lifted her taller glass and walked away from the cabinet.

“Oh, yes.” Her lips twitched. “Right here, sir.”

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