Page 11 of Daddy, Sir

He hadn’t said anything about her lack of furnishings yet. Of course, he’d noticed.

“Babygirl.” The captain’s voice was lower and more rumbly than normal. He folded his legs to sink down to the carpet by her. Rubbing her back to reassure her, he said nothing.

Tatiana leaned sideways without thinking and put her head on his shoulder. His arms wrapped around her. She tried to absorb his strength, knowing he would leave her soon.

“You’re going to come stay with me.”

“I can’t do that,” she protested, horrified to think he felt he had to offer. Tatiana sat up to wipe her cheeks dry and he brushed her hands out of the way to take care of this for her.

“It’s either I sleep on your floor, or you come home with me so we can both sleep in a bed,” Captain Murphy said without judgment. “I’m old. You’re not going to make me sleep on the carpet, right?”

“Of course not,” she agreed immediately.

“Then you’re coming home with me. Because you’re thoughtful like that. I have a guest room with a comfy bed. Come help me pack a bag for you for a few days.”

Her boss stood and scooped her up easily to carry her into the bedroom. He took one look at the inflatable mattress on the floor and shook his head. She appreciated he didn’t say anything. Finding that blow-up mattress in the clearance aisle had been complete luck.

“Do you have a suitcase?” he asked after setting her carefully on the cushioned surface.

“Oh, I don’t need to take much. Just a change of clothes for work tomorrow.”

“Let’s prepare, just in case you need to stay with me for a while. You don’t want me to have to keep coming back here for another set, right?”

How could she say yes? Tatiana resigned herself to lugging everything back up the stairs tomorrow. She’d figure it out somehow. “Okay. That makes sense.”

“Exactly. Now, where’s your suitcase?”

“I used a box. There’s one in the back of the closet.”

She watched him disappear into the small, walk-in closet. A rustle of boxes made her frown in embarrassment. He now knew all her secrets. How would she look at him each day in the office?

“I lumped your bras and panties together in the bottom of this box. Let’s take your office clothes and a comfortable outfit or two.”

She might as well take the black skirts and the interchangeable blouses. The thrift store had offered only a couple blazers. Tatiana saved those for important events and had hoped her boss wouldn’t notice her wardrobe was severely limited. “Sounds great. Thank you.”

“Little girl, I don’t know what brought you here, but I know it wasn’t your fault. All I care about now is making sure you’re safe. But you will decide to tell me soon.”

Tatiana nodded as she looked down at the floor. Automatically, she reached behind her to touch something under the thin blanket draped over the air mattress. Her finger brushed the worn plush of her stuffie. Hugo always reassured her. How could she hide him?

“We need to take your friend as well. Introduce me.” The captain’s tone didn’t allow her to pretend Hugo didn’t exist.

Slowly, she wrapped her hand around the stuffed hermit crab and pulled him out. “This is Hugo. I know it’s silly for a grown woman to have a stuffed animal, but I’ve had him for a long time.”

“It’s nice to meet you, Hugo. I don’t think a Little girl with a stuffie is silly at all. I’m glad you have each other. I’m going to carry this box downstairs, and then I’ll come back for you and Hugo. Don’t move.”

She shook her head, promising she wouldn’t. The minute she heard the door shut, she told Hugo, “I have to use the restroom. I’m going to crawl in there.”

Hurrying as fast as possible, she rolled onto her knees. “Shit!” Tears gathered in her eyes when she just barely tapped her toes on the ground, bumping her ankle. Determined not to have to ask for help, she moved as carefully as possible.

Tatiana made it to the nearby bathroom and looked up at the toilet. How was she going to get on her feet to sit down? She wrapped her hands around the vanity’s edge and powered herself up to one foot, banging the other and making herself cry harder. Staring at herself in the mirror, she gave herself a pep talk.You can do this!

“What are you doing?”

Off-balanced by surprise and her unsteady position, Tatiana teetered and felt herself falling. Powerful hands grabbed her waist, preventing her from another injury.

“I should have asked if you needed to go to the bathroom. May I help you? I promise I won’t look,” he said in a teasing tone that cracked her embarrassment.

“I’m sorry. Yes, I need some help.”

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