Page 44 of Storm

She already knew she could. She’d asked him half a dozen times as they prepared for the BBQ, but Brook was just so excited to show them what her Daddy had created for her.

“Yes,” Storm replied, wrapping his hand around the back of her neck before they could take off. “But if I catch you runningagain tonight, we’ll be making aspecialtrip to our bedroom. Are we clear?”

Offering a bright, innocent smile, Brook bobbed her head. “Crystal clear, Daddy. No running. Got it. Check and check.”

He narrowed his gaze and arched one of his stern eyebrows. “Being sassy isn’t a good idea for the protection of your bottom, either, sunshine.”

Sheesh. He was awfully strict. And she absolutely loved it. It was rare she went a full day without getting her bottom warmed, but she wouldn’t want it any other way.

“Sorry, Daddy,” she murmured.

“Good girl.” He leaned down and pressed a kiss to her forehead, then gave her a firm swat as she turned to lead the other girls upstairs.

“That’s a spare bathroom over there,” she pointed to one of the first doors on the second landing. “Then there’s a guest room, and across from that is Daddy’s office. At the end of the hall is my playroom and then next to it is our bedroom.”

Her friends peeked in each doorway, making squeals of excitement as they took it all in. Most of the house was already furnished, though they still had some things to add.

After they moved in, Storm and some of his friends had painted the entire place, changing the interior from a gross brown to a rich cream that she loved. The only room that wasn’t that color was her special room.

When they got to the last door, she pushed it open and stepped in, beaming proudly. She’d had nothing to do with the décor or paint. That had all been her Daddy, but he’d totally nailed it.

“Oh my gosh, I love the pink walls,” Remi gasped as she looked around. “And the bed, it’s made for a princess.”

It really was. Between the white metal frame and the tulle hanging from the ceiling, creating a sheer curtain, it wasmagical. And even though she never slept in it, she’d turned it into her favorite place to read.

Carlee instantly went to the bookshelves set up in the corner and scanned through the books. On the floor in front of them was a large beanbag with fuzzy blankets and pillows situated on it. That was Brook’s second favorite place to read.

“This is the biggest Barbie house I’ve ever seen,” Harper whispered, her eyes wide as she took in the waist-high doll house.

“Daddy had it custom-made. Isn’t it perfect?”

She watched as her friends walked around, taking everything in and complimenting her on all of it . The past six weeks, her love for her Daddy grew more and more because every detail he’d put into it had been so thoughtful and completely spot on.

Carlee sniffled, and when Brook turned to look at her friend, she froze because there were tears pooling in her eyes.

“What’s wrong?” Brook asked, concerned.

“Nothing. I’m just so happy for you,” Carlee explained, wiping her cheek. “You look so happy, and so does Storm. I miss him living at the clubhouse, but after seeing all of this, I’m thrilled for both of you.”

A lump formed in Brook’s throat. She stepped forward and wrapped her arms around her closest friend, squeezing her tightly.

“I never would have found the Daddy of my dreams if it weren’t for you, Carlee. Thank you for introducing us.”

The two girls embraced each other for a long moment, only pulling away when Storm appeared. “Appetizers are ready,” he announced.

His gaze zeroed in on them, concern etched on his face.

“What’s wrong?” he asked.

Shaking her head, Brook went to him and slid her hands around his waist, clinging to him. “Nothing, Daddy. They’re happy tears.”

Carlee and the other Littles filed out of the beautiful room, leaving the two of them alone.

“Happy tears?”

She nodded. “Yeah, Daddy. Thank you for giving me everything I could have ever hoped for.”

He studied her for a second, his Adam’s apple bobbing as he swallowed. When he finally spoke, his voice was rough. “I should be the one thanking you, sunshine. You’ve given me a purpose in life. A reason to breathe. I was just a shell before I met you.”

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