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She liked that answer. It meant he thought it was a good idea, too.

He switched on the light. “Let’s get you out of those scrubs.” The pants came off easily, but the top was more challenging. Derek didn’t want to disturb the bandages or cause Sonja anymore pain. Carefully, he lifted the fabric over her head and off her arms, but she couldn’t help but wince as she tried to lift an arm to help him.

At his alarmed expression, she placed a tender hand against his cheek. “It’s all right, Daddy. It will heal.”

He leaned his forehead against hers, and they stood for a couple of moments, doing nothing but sharing the air around them. Emotion clogged Sonja’s throat as she felt the intimate connection between them. It didn’t matter that she was naked; this wasn’t about sex. Derek lowered the lid to the toilet. “Sit down while I get warm water.”

Sonja looked longingly at the big shower, and Derek followed her gaze.

“Sorry, babygirl. Your bandages aren’t supposed to get wet. A washcloth has to do for today.” He ran the tap and fetched shower gel and a washcloth while they waited for the water to get warm. Derek rolled up his sleeves and smiled at her. “Let’s get you cleaned up and tucked in bed, babygirl.”

He lathered her with suds and rinsed the cloth under the running water until the dark red coming from it turned first pink and then transparent. Once she was clean, he wrapped her in a big fluffy towel from the heater. Sonja had never felt so content and cared for. There was something to say for having a Daddy Dom, especially when he was Derek Kiriakis.

CHAPTER FORTY

Sonja had been at Derek’s place for a week when they got word about Angie. She’d been charged with attempted homicide in addition to all the lesser charges related to the vandalism and damage to the café. Her lawyers were pushing for five years in a private mental hospital, but Jackson assured them that with the attempted murder charge, she would be locked up for at least ten years. They would need to regularly renew the restraining order if she got out, but that was a long way away for now.

After that, Sonja had tried to talk to Derek about going back to her apartment, even though she didn’t look forward to setting foot in the building or being alone without Snuggles.

Derek had given her a panty-melting look and answered, “Stay, babygirl,” and she’d done just that.

To her utter surprise, his mother had been pleased with Sonja moving in with him. When she’d visited Derek’s family, his mamá had scolded him and told him in both Greek and English to take care of her and never to let her go.

Sonja smiled at the memory. At her panicked expression, Maya had hurried to translate her mother’s words and added with a grin. “Mamá might be small, but she’s the absolute matriarch of the family, a family you’re now part of.”

Sonja’s throat tightened at the memory. It was wonderful to be part of a family again. But family or not. She was alone and bored.

With two days to go until the stitches came out, Sonja was anxious to get back to work. She was bored and feeling sorry for herself and didn’t need Derek’s help anymore. Coloring and watching movies had gotten old, and while Sonja loved the extra time with him, when he wasn’t home, she didn’t know what to do with herself. Before, in her own apartment, she’d had household chores to do and a cat to keep her company. Snuggles was gone, and she didn’t know if or when she would get another. Would Derek want a cat? Had he meant for her to stay permanently?

She had been going around in circles in her head for most of the day when Derek came home.

“Hello,” she said without much enthusiasm.

“What’s the matter, precious? You sound depressed. Has something happened?” Derek asked.

She rose to her feet and walked over to greet him. “Nothing’s wrong. I was just missing you and Snuggles and my stuff and feeling sorry for myself.”

“I’m sorry, baby. I’m home now, and I’ll take care of at least one part of your loneliness.” Why didn’t he wrap his arms around her like he usually did?

She took a better look. Derek was holding an oddly shaped box with a large bow on top. “Daddy! A present? What’s the occasion?”

“I know when my babygirl is hurting, and this present is guaranteed to cheer her up. That’s the only reason I need,” Derek said as he headed further into room. “Let’s go sit down on the couch, and I’ll let you open it.”

Sonja reached for the package, but Derek stopped her.

“Patience, babygirl. Sit down, let me take my coat off, and then you can have it.”

Sonja stuck out her lower lip in a pretend pout. “Yes, Daddy.”

Once he had his coat off, Derek handed her the box and sat down next to her. “Here you go.”

Sonja took the box. It felt odd, like the contents were moving around. “Daddy? What did you get me?” She had butterflies in her stomach. Could it be?

She ripped off the bow and figured out how to open the box. Inside, were two of the most adorable white kittens she had ever seen. Their eyes were blue, and since they were white, would probably stay that way. They couldn’t be more than two months old; they were so small. They looked up at her, startled out of their activities by the light.

“Oh, you beauties! Daddy, they’re gorgeous! How did you do it? They look too young to adopt!” She put her hand into the box to let both sniff her before she tried to lift either one out.

“I know someone who runs a small rescue group. You’re officially fostering them for the next two months, after which you can adopt them. She wasn’t really happy about stretching the rules, but when I told her about Snuggles and how bereft you were, she decided it would be okay. She’ll be coming over tomorrow evening to check everything out and make sure they’re settling in.”

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