Page 4 of Daddy's Treat

“I don’t mind.”

Is it my imagination, or did his voice just drop an octave? Surely not. That would mean he finds me… attractive. Me. Strawberry Shortcake costume-wearing, nerdy, flat as a board, Penny-pie. Impossible.

But when I look up at his face, there is a distinct interest in his eyes. He’s checking me out unabashedly. I blush, and for the first time in my life, it’s not in anger or embarrassment. I’m flushed because a hot guy is checking me out.Me!

“What are you doing in a haunted corn maze all by yourself? You shouldn’t be alone, shortcake.”

Wow, he called me shortcake. That’s gotta be the best ever thing I’ve been called that isn’t my actual name. It might actually be better than my real name. Or maybe it’s that an insanely hot guy is the one that called me it. It shouldn’t make me happy. I was conned into wearing this childish costume, and it’s probably the least attractive thing I own. Maybe he’s just being nice?

He probably wasn’t checking me out. He was probably trying to determine why a child would be out here alone. That definitely makes more sense. He’s a hot, older man who probably has a girlfriend who used to be a Lucy or a Tricia or even one of the triple-I types. He definitely wouldn’t go for the kind of woman that can pass for a little girl—or as some people like to tease—a prepubescent boy.

“I wasn’t alone. Well, I mean, I guess I sort of am now. I got separated from my group, but I’m guessing it’s more like they ditched me on purpose. They’re also why I’m wearing this ridiculous costume. I normally don’t dress like this.” Kade smiles at that and murmurs something that sounds like ‘pity,’ which is weird, right? I probably misheard. “Anyway, I wasn’t alone. I wouldn’t have even come into this cheese and crackers place if it wasn’t for my sisters. Not my real sisters, sorority sisters. Though they obviously don’t think very highly of me. Why else would they lie about what kind of costume to wear? Or take me to this horrifying place knowing how much I hate scary things. Or ditch me in said horrifying place. Or pay some fluffernuttering clown to chase me all over the place until I have a heart attack or asphyxiate because I don’t do enough cardio, and I’ve been running forever. Yeah, I don’t think they like me. I’m only in the sorority because it was expected of me. Same reason I’m going to be a—”

Kade puts a finger to my lips, thankfully stopping the word vomit that was spewing forth from my stupid lips. Did I mention I’m socially awkward? Another one of my many, many flaws.

“Take a breath, shortcake.” He doesn’t say it in a condescending way. More like he was worried I’d hyperventilate if I didn’t slow down. Totally possible, if I’m being honest.

“Sorry. I sort of ramble when I’m stressed.”

The little boy laughs. “You talk more than Silvia Jackson, and she never ever shuts up. She gets in trouble all the time in class because all she does is talk talk talk.”

“Hush, Walt. It’s not nice to compare people. Everyone is their very own person.” Kade is gentle with his scolding. Very stern, yet kind. I like it. People who are good with kids always get a thumbs up in my book.

“It’s okay. He’s right. I do talk talk talk. Only sometimes. Like now,” I put my hand over my own mouth to prevent another surge of words from flowing.

“Can we go home, Uncle Kade? I want ice cream.”

Kade ruffles the boy’s hair and says, ‘you bet, buddy,’ earning him even more points. He’s handsomeandkindandgood with kids. Oh, and saves random chicks from psychotic clowns. He could be the perfect man on the face of the planet.

“Uhm… would you mind if I followed you out of this crazy place? I have no idea how to get out.” I dig the toe of my shoe into the dirt while I gnaw on my lip.Please say yes. Please, please say yes.

“Of course, it’s a yes, shortcake.”

Well poopsicles, I must’ve been saying my little chant out loud. Kade doesn’t seem to find my begging like a, well, like a beggar annoying. Which is good because if he had said no, I would’ve probably begged and pleaded and maybe forced a tear or two to appeal to his big strong protective instincts that he has in spades based on his reaction to the clown.

Kade and Walt take up the front of our little trio. A werewolf jumps out, and Walt laughs claiming his costume is horrible. Me? Well, I scream, jump ten feet off the ground, and become a spider monkey again. What does Kade do? He takes it in stride. He simply twists his arm around his back and rubs mine reassuringly.

It’s nice.

So, so nice.

Something a girl could get used to.

We turn another corner, and I know it’s going to be horrifying based on the screams that came before us. And I’m not wrong. Freaking Jason Voorhees jumps out, wielding a bloody machete. How can anyone actually enjoy this crap? Walt is impressed with this dude’s costume, giving him a high-five.

Meanwhile, I’ve climbed up Kade’s back until he’s wearing me like a backpack. I have my arms around his neck and my legs around his waist. I don’t even care that my dress got bunched up in the process, and my panties might be on full display. This is survival here. I can’t be a blushing virgin.

Once again, Kade takes it in stride. He actually puts his hands under my tush, helping to hold me up. Now it’s officially a piggy-back ride, and I no longer have to feel guilty. He’s an active participant, which means he approves or at the very least doesn’t disapprove. Either way works for me.

I bury my face in the crook of his neck. At some point, my hiding turns into sniffing. Sweetpotatoes, he smells good. Like leather and spice, and something I can’t quite put my finger on. It’s intoxicating. As he walks, I’m so completely absorbed in breathing him in and with how his hands feel on my bottom that I don’t even notice the scary stuff happening around me. I’m not sure if it’s intentional or accidental, but his hand slips, and the tips of his fingers end up closer to my hoo-ha. He sort of gives me a little bounce like he would if I were slipping—which I wasn’t—and when I’m settled back down in his hands, he is one-hundred percent touching my hoo-ha.

My breath comes out in a rush when Kade groans. I’m only slightly embarrassed that he’s feeling my body’s reaction to him. Who wouldn’t be a little turned on by a Thor-Superman hybrid who saves your life then lets you crawl all over them while he holds your tush? Show me that person, and I’ll show you a corpse.

It’s my turn to groan when Kade moves his fingers over the gusset of my panties. This time he does have to adjust his hold on me because my legs forget how to work, and my mind goes into def-con five mode. I didn’t even know my body had a def-con five mode.

Other than Ron Webber in kindergarten kissing me on the playground, I have zero experience with boys. Not because I haven’t been interested, I’ve had crushes like any other red-blooded female, but being the youngest person in my grade by two years sort of hurt any chance of having a boyfriend. I thought that would change once I turned moved away from home to go to college, but I guess I’m just stuck in my bookworm, study obsessed ways.

“You okay, shortcake?” Kade whispers. I’m sure he’s keeping quiet because his nephew is like two feet away from us. Holy moly, I’m a hussy!

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