Page 41 of Demon Daddy's Little Girl

"Stay." His voice rumbles through his chest where my head rests.

"I should check on Rose-"

"She's sleeping soundly. I can hear her breathing from here." His fingers trace patterns on my bare shoulder. "I want you here. Not just tonight."

I prop myself up on an elbow, searching his golden eyes in the darkness. "What do you mean?"

"This isn't temporary, Ada. You and Rose - you belong here. With me." His hand cups my face, thumb brushing my cheek. "Share my bed. Share my life."

My heart stutters. Trust doesn't come easily, not after everything. But the way he looks at me, like I'm something precious rather than possessed...

"I'm not good at this," I whisper. "Trusting. Staying."

"I know." He pulls me closer, my smaller frame fitting perfectly against the planes of his body. "But I'm not letting you run anymore. You're safe here. Both of you."

The steady thrum of his heartbeat under my palm speaks of strength, of protection. Of home. Rose's laughter echoes in my memory - how she blooms in this house, in his presence.

"Okay." I nestle into his warmth, letting my walls crumble just a bit more. "We'll stay."

His arms envelop me, and I drift off to the rhythm of his breathing, knowing that down the hall, my daughter sleeps peacefully in her new home. Our home.

18

DEZOTH

Iwake before the sun, my eyes easily adjusting the pre-dawn shadows. Ada lies curled against my chest, her honey-blonde braid trailing across my arm. The gentle rise and fall of her breathing matches the rhythm of my heart.

She fits perfectly in the curve of my body, though her delicate frame highlights just how massive I am in comparison. My protective instincts flare at the sight - she seems so fragile, yet I know the steel beneath her surface.

A thundering of tiny feet in the hallway gives me just enough warning. The door flies open with a bang. I am grateful I had the forethought to pull my shirt on over a half a sleep Ada and put on a pair of pants before I went to sleep. Just in case.

"Cappy Dez! Mama!" Rose launches herself onto the bed like a small projectile, her violet eyes bright with excitement.

Ada jerks awake, clutching the blankets to her chest. "Rose!"

"I'm hungry. Can we have breakfast? With the purple berries?" Rose bounces on her knees, her honey-blonde curls wild from sleep. "And magic sparkles?"

"Little flower." I catch her mid-bounce with one arm, drawing a delighted squeal. "The sun's not even up."

"But I am!" She pats my face with both hands. "And you are. And Mama is now too."

Ada tucks the blanket more securely around herself, failing to hide her smile. "Give us a moment to dress, flower."

"But-"

"Two minutes," I rumble, touching my forehead to Rose's. "Count them out."

"One..." Rose slides off the bed, violet eyes narrowed in concentration. "Two..."

"Faster than that." I point to the door. "In the hall."

"Three-four-five-" She dashes out, numbers tumbling together as she runs.

Ada presses her face into my shoulder, shoulders shaking with silent laughter. "She's impossible."

"Wonder where she gets that from." I brush my lips across her temple, savoring the warmth of her skin.

"TWENTY!" Rose shouts from the hallway. "READY OR NOT!"

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