Page 16 of Daddy's for December

“Shit.” A bread roll comes crashing onto the table as I peek up to see who threw it out there. “Sorry, sir. Oh! Winter, hey! ‘Sup!” Some busboy with earrings and bleached hair tosses his hip against the table, giving me his back as he ogles my girl.

“Hey, Blaze. I didn’t know you worked here.”

“Yeah, trying to save more money. You here with your dad?”

She delicately lifts her eyes to me and blinks away rapidly. “Well, I?—”

“I'm actually glad I saw you. There’s thisthing, this party tomorrow night. If you’re not busy, I was wondering?—”

Slapping my hand over his that rests on our table, I try to contain my rage. “She’s busy,Blaze.”

Her jaw drops at my outburst, and the kid walks backward, shaking his head. Snapping out the words, she gives him a tiny smile. “I’m actually going to be wide open in January…”

Seething like a bull, I tell her, “No, you’re not.”

Ignoring the boy completely, she stares me down. “Yes, I am.” Before I can get another word out, she gathers her purse and coat and walks away, the idiot traveling right behind her.

“Winter! Stop!”

Tossing her ponytail over her shoulder, she tilts her head and tells me, “Blaze can take me home. Can’t you, Blaze?”

“I, uh…” he stammers and glances back at me.

Hurriedly grabbing my wallet, I find some hundreds and toss them on the table, abandoning my meal. I snag my coat and throw it on, then step between the two of them. “We’re going home. Blaze, I’m sure you’re lovely. But she’s very taken. And if I owe more than what I threw down over there, tell Carol to send me a bill.”

Grasping my little girl’s shoulders, I lead her toward the door. Maybe I’m being a bit of a brute, but things are getting out of hand.

“Stop pushing me!”

“Then move your ass, baby, or I’ll move it for you.” I cape her coat over her shoulders and press my front into her back, aiming for the car in the lot. Once she’s inside, she slaps my hands repeatedly, so I won’t buckle her belt. But I do it, anyway.

Once I’m inside, she stares out her window. “Winter, you are in for onebigspanking. I don’t think I’ve ever been this angry with you.”

Whipping her head to me, she pouts. “Why? What did I do? I’m not really yours. Just here for a month, right? Then I should go away?”

“What? What are you talking about? I-I…”

Tears form and fall over her cheeks, and I grasp her hands in mine. They’re so cold, I start the engine and turn on the heater. “I just had these dreams… But I’m selfish if I ask you to give up yours for me.”

“You mean my business.”

She sniffs and drops her head so I can’t see her face. “Yes.”

Crooking a finger, I lift her chin. “Baby, I love you. I love you so fucking much. I want a life with you, and I don’t want to mess up this time. Let me take you home and explain.”

Almost in a whisper, she says, “You want a life with me?”

“Yeah. Of course. But we need to discuss it. Settle back and let’s go.”

I don’t release her hand the entire ride, and by the time we reach the tree in the living room, my heart is pounding again. Holding her waist, I turn her to face me and press my lips against her forehead. “I’ve been a workaholic, but I don’t need to be. Not now. I’ve got a substantial income and retirement. Most of my gigs I can do from home, but have always chosen to travel away.” With a heaving sigh, I tell her, “It’s time for me to hire a partner to send on the trips while I stay home with my wife…”

Her brow dips as she tries to figure out my meaning, but before she can say anything, I drop to one knee and bring out the princess-cut diamond ring Jake helped me pick out. When the box top pops open, she gasps and almost falls. I catch her by her left hand and hold the band at the tip of her finger. “Winter, I love you. I’ll give up everything for you to just be near me. If I get to spend every day with you, I want to stay home. I don’t want to stifle whatever dreams you may have, but someday, I’d love children with you, too. Will you marry me?”

Through clasped hands around her mouth, she nods and sobs. “Y-yes! Of course! Ben, youaremy dream!”

Once I slide on the ring, I stand and gather her little body in my arms. Her face nuzzles my neck as she mumbles, “I love you, Daddy.”

“I love you, baby.”

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