Page 291 of Tempted By her Daddies

That was alarming. He set down his things and started moving through the house. “I’ll check downstairs. You check upstairs.”

“I already have. I cannot believe I lost our Little.”

“Our Little?” He turned back to the other man.

“Um, yeah. Our Little. Is that . . . that’s okay, right?”

Salem could tell that Roman was trying not to sound unsure, but there was definite uncertainty in his face.

“Yeah, man. I’m glad for you.”

It took him another fifteen minutes to find her. He opened the cupboard door beneath the window seat and crouched down to stare at her.

“Hello there.”

“Daddy!” she cried. “What are you doing?”

“Well, I just got home from work fifteen minutes ago and I spent those fifteen minutes searching for my girl.”

“You were looking for me, Daddy?”

“I sure was.”

“Why?” she asked.

“Because I want a cuddle.”

“Oh no, Daddy.” She gave him a sad look.

“What’s the matter?” he asked.

“I can’t give you a hug. I’m so sorry.”

“Why not, Little one?” he asked.

“Because I’m playing hide and seek. I can’t move. It’s against the rules.”

“Well, Roman has been pretty concerned about not being able to find you, so I think he would be all right with you breaking the rules.”

“Are you sure?” she asked suspiciously. “This isn’t a trick?”

“How would this be a trick?” he asked.

“I don’t know . . . you tell me it’s okay to get out but then Dada jumps out and says, ‘You cheated!’ And I lose the game. I don’t like to lose, Daddy.”

No, he’d noticed that about her. Losing wasn’t really in her vocabulary. And she didn’t always react well when she did lose.

Alexei thought it was hilarious the way she pouted when she lost.

“I promise that it’s not a trick. Do you trust me?”

“Hmm. Let me think about that.”

“Little one,” he warned. “You’re going to get yourself into trouble and I’m guessing it can’t be that comfortable in there.”

“I don’t know, it’s actually surprisingly relaxing. But I suppose I do have to pee.” She took hold of his hand and he helped her out.

She stretched with a moan. “Okay, maybe I was getting a bit cramped in there.”

---