Page 19 of Daddy's Desire

“Good night.”

The last look he had was of her staring at him with wide eyes and looking almost lost. He debated going back to her, but the temptation was too great at the moment, and he knew she wasn’t ready forwhat he would need from her.

Once in his room, he undressed and hopped into the shower. It only took him a few minutes before he was standing in front of the mirror, brushing his teeth with a towel wrapped around his waist.

He turned off the lights and walked to bed. He was going todrop the towel and get into bed like he normally did, but what if she needed him? He couldn’t go around naked because he knew it would freak her out.

He pulled a pair of shorts from the closet. That was one thing Darian did that he thought was amazing. He had all sorts of clothes, both men’s and women’s, in all sizes and colors. The closet in the room was half full of things a visitor might need.

Ronin climbed into bed and sighed. It had been a long day, and the next day didn’t sound like it would be any better. He wished he knew more about Courtney’s mother and what was going on besides her trying to marry Courtney off.

For the next hour, he tossed and turned. He cursed and threw the blanket to the side. He knew he wouldn’t be able to go to sleep if he didn’t check on her first.

After walking into the playroom, he let his eyes adjust before looking toward the bed. He stiffened when he saw it was empty. His first inclination was to think she’d gotten away, but he knew realistically it would be impossible for her to get out of the house or forsomeone to break in because of the high security.

He scanned the room and found her in the chair she pulled close to the window. She was sitting so still he thought she had fallen asleep, but when he walked around her, her eyes were open and wide when she saw him.

Ronin crouched down next to her. “I’m sorry, Honey. I didn’t mean to scare you. I just wanted to make sure you were okay.”

“It’s okay.”

“Why are you up?” he asked.

“I couldn’t go to sleep,” she said. “I’m not a very good sleeper.”

His brows snapped together. “How bad is your insomnia?”

“The doctors want to put me on some drug, and my mother was all for it. I didn’t want to take it, so I hid it and pretended I was doing fine.”

“How long have you had this problem?”

“Since my father died,” she said.

He laid his hand on her thigh. “I’m sorry. That must be frustrating for you.”

She shrugged and turned back to the window.

“Is this what you do when you’re awake?” he asked.

She nodded and then yawned. “I’m waiting for a flying star so I can make a wish.”

“Oh, can you tell me what you would wish for?”

Courtney started to fidget. “Not really.”

From the blush that crept across her face, he knew it probably had to do with sex. He just hoped she’d wish for him to be her daddy, too.

“All right, you don’t have to tell me. Do you want to try to sleep again?”

She thought about it for a moment and then shook her head. “No. I don’t think I’m ready.”

Ronin gritted his teeth. He wanted her with him but knew he’d be in agony the rest of the night. Oh, well. “How about you come with me?”

She took the hand he held out. “Where are we going?”

He stopped in front of his door. “I know we don’t know each other well yet, but I think if I can make you feel secure, you’d be able to sleep. Nothing but me holding you will happen until you’re ready for it.”

Courtney glanced down and then nodded. “Yes. I want to try.”

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