Page 210 of Morally Gray Daddies

Without skipping a beat, Chloe’s mouth curls into a huge smile. “Oh my gosh. I’ll show you everything. I’m off the rest of the afternoon, so I can show you a bunch of techniques. Oh, I’m so excited!” She claps her hands, and I can’t help but giggle.

“Thank you.”

She reaches out and pulls me into a quick hug. “Of course, silly. That’s what friends are for.”

Friends.

It’s a foreign word to me, but it comforts me like a blanket. I like the thought of having friends.

Thursday is the most exciting when, instead of a woman walking into the office, an enormous black bear comes crashing in. Well, it looks like a bear.

And right behind him, a woman, who looks like she should be on the runway, laughs as she enters. “Sorry! Sorry! He got loose. He won’t hurt you.”

The animal runs toward me, and I leap up onto the couch, ready to climb the wall to get away from him because he’s definitely about to eat me.

“Buster, come,” Patrick’s voice booms and the fluffball comes to a skidding halt in front of me, then turns and runs to him.

“I’m sorry, Ana. I didn’t mean for Buster to scare you. He’s totally friendly, but he’s still a young pup, so he’s a bit wild.”

I smile nervously while eyeing Patrick who is still controlling the dog. Which I’m not sure can be classified as a dog. It’s definitely closer to a bear.

As soon as Patrick reaches down and pats Buster’s head, the dog flops onto the floor and rolls over, exposing his belly for rubs. I giggle as Patrick gives in and gives the pooch scratches.

Then a large man enters, and the fear I felt a few seconds ago washes over me again, and I have the urge to climb the wall.

“Paisley May, you need to keep that dog on a leash until he’s trained not to run off like that,” the man says firmly, giving her butt a swat.

“Sorry, Daddy. I was just so excited to finally come meet Ana.” She motions toward me, and when the man turns his attention to me, he freezes.

“Fuck. I’m sorry, Patrick. I forgot. Let me get out of here. I don’t want to frighten her.” The man offers me a stiff smile. “Sorry, Ana. I’m Kieran, by the way.”

Paisley waves her hand in the air. “Don’t worry, Ana. He looks scary, but he’s a big fucking marshmallow. Like the kind that’s already been cooked over a fire and is all gooey and melty inside.”

My skin prickles as I look from her to Kieran. Is he going to hurt her for saying that? He doesn’t look angry, though. Not at all. In fact, he smiles down at her and winks. “Only for you, little girl. I’m going to leave you to hang out. Keep control of Buster.”

Then he kisses her softly, swats her butt again, and disappears from the office. Huh. That was interesting. And why did she call him Daddy?

By Friday, I’m pretty sure I’ve made up my mind about Patrick. I think I’m in love with the man. How is that possible in only two weeks? Although in the books I’ve been reading, the characters all fall in love within a day or two, so maybe two weeks is reasonable.

After lunch, Patrick comes over to me and nudges my foot. I glance up from the e-reader and smile. We’ve gotten into this routine. It’s comfortable and safe, and I’m starting to wonder if he’s attracted to me because he rarely touches me. Which is a problem because I find myself wanting to have as much contact with him as possible.

“I have to go to a meeting two doors down in Declan’s office. I think Katie is going to come by today. Don’t worry, she won’t have a beast of a dog with her. Will you be okay, or do you want me to lock the door so you’re left alone?”

“I’m fine. You can leave it unlocked.” I’m not sure if it’s all the time I’ve spent with the other women this week, but I’m feeling surprisingly less anxious about being here.

“Okay. You have your phone, so call or text me if you need anything. Be good, Anastasia.”

I flick my gaze to his and frown. “I’m always good.”

Being anything else has never been a choice. It was my way of survival.

Patrick leans down and puts one hand on the arm of the couch and the other on the back cushion, caging me in. Instead of being frightened, I look up at him and meet his gaze.

“You’re a very good girl, baby. But you’re going to learn that it’s okay to be naughty once in a while. That no matter what, no matter how much you might misbehave, you’re always safe with me.”

Then he presses a kiss to my forehead before he disappears from the office, leaving me gaping at the door.

I kind of wish Cali was here. Or Chloe. Any of them, really. Definitely Paisley. I have questions about Patrick. And about the Daddy thing. One of the books I’ve read this week, the woman called the guy Daddy—it was hot. I was squirming in my seat the entire time. Thank goodness Patrick was busy because I was practically panting.

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