Page 46 of Her Bossy Daddy

Chapter Twelve

Lacey

I woke up to Liam shaking my shoulder. I felt refreshed instead of groggy for once, and I linked my arms around his neck. “What day is it?”

“Hello, beautiful.” He planted a kiss on my nose. “It’s still Friday. Come on. I’m giving you a bath.”

“Eeek. I’m so excited.” I got out of bed and followed him to the bathroom. It was a place I’d spent more time in today than I probably had in the past week. Liam lifted me off the floor and set me down in the tub. Lavender-scented bubbles clung to my body and transported me to a place of relaxation. I thought I might have been embarrassed to have him focused on washing my body and all my intimate places, but instead his touches filled me with deep contentment.

“You look so happy, love. Tell me what’s on your mind.”

“I am happy, Daddy.” I grinned. “I love bubbles! I love them almost as much as you.” My younger mindset wasn’t quite in full throttle but it was my way of telling him respectfully that I was enjoying the moment so much and to stop and explain it would ruin the experience. I scooped bubbles into both hands and poured them onto his beard. Liam took my hands and waggled his eyebrows. “Oh, my God!” I laughed so hard I snorted.

“You cheeky little thing.” He pressed his face to my cheeks and then rubbed his beard up and down so all the bubbles landed on me.

“Not fair, Daddy!” I squeaked. He blew raspberries along my neck and shoulders, tickling me in every spot he touched. “Not fair!”

“Oh, it’s not fair now?” He scooped up a handful of water and washed off the bubbles. “Pull the plug, love.”

I did as he commanded, and then he helped me out of the tub. The fluffiest, softest robe swaddled around me. It was white, and my name was embroidered in glittery pink font on the right side. I touched each letter and giggled. “I’ve always wanted a personalized robe! I never found my name on anything.”

“Aha! All I’ve got to do to make you giggle is put your name on an object. Now I know the secret.”

“No, silly.” I kissed his cheek. “It’s not just my name on things.”

“You’re the silly one,” he chuckled. “Let’s do your hair and then I’ve got something special to show you.”

“More specials?” I clapped my hands together excitedly. “You’ve already given me so many special things!”

“I’ve added a bit to your room. It’s not quite finished yet, but it’s coming together.”

“I’m so excited. Will you twist my hair in braids and pin it around my head? It looked so pretty when you did it last time.”

“Yes, love. Grab the comb from the basket and bring it to me.”

I stared up at him for a moment, just basking in the love coming from him like a warm glow. I wrapped my arms around his waist and nuzzled into his chest. “Okay, Daddy. I’ll get it.” There was so much more I wanted to say, but he seemed to understand without me saying another word.

* * *

I felt small and childlikewhen Liam led me into the pretty room with the sparkly starry lights. My pretty blue room with sparkly starry lights. I giggled again like the happiness couldn’t contain itself. The weight that had dragged me down lately lifted off my shoulders and my heart soared. Liam knew my needs well enough and encouraged me to take care of them myself or allow him to do so.

A cute pink cami slipped over my head, and I raised each of my legs for a pair of adorable pink ruffled panties. They weren’t obnoxiously pink, but a sweet pastel and made of the softest cotton. I had to ask him one day where all of those amazing clothes came from. Flowered leggings followed and then Daddy held up a new magenta-colored shirt.

“Aww! It’s beautiful! I love it!” Similar to the other outfits he’d gotten for me, the shirt was shorter in the front, longer in the back. The font was big script letters and it read Daddy’s Favorite Flower. Tears formed behind my eyes, but Liam kissed them away. He tugged lacy white socks onto my feet and then slipped on a pair of black leather Mary Jane shoes. They were perfect, just like I’d described to him so many months ago.

“You look adorable, Lacey girl.”

“Thank you.” I smiled and scanned the room. I had missed the antique white table near the window. I headed toward it but then I thought about the huge open window. It was in the process of getting a seat installed. When it was complete it would be my favorite place to curl up other than on Daddy’s lap. I distracted myself with the thought of all the neat things I could do in the window and must have zoned out.

“I found this cute table on my way home from work a few weeks ago, love. I painted it like the porch swing. I thought you’d like it.”

“Oh! Sorry, Daddy. I got distracted.” Shuffling over to the table, I loved how my shoes sank into the plush carpet and left a footprint. I reached the table and ran my hands over the top. Little green vines wrapped around the edges, along with flowers, butterflies, and dragonflies all on a distressed gray-blue surface. “You made this just for me?”

“Em, well, I painted it. I’m not so great at building things,” he smiled. “I’m happy you like it. On the bookshelf over there you’ll find reading books, coloring books, art pens, crayons, and other supplies. Sometime today I’d like you to write me a wish list. All right?”

My mouth dropped open, and the tears from a few moments ago slipped down. I didn’t deserve all of these special items. The bathrobe, the clothes, the table, the room. A wish list for rewards when I was in my smaller headspace. No. I didn’t deserve any of it. I hung my head and cried. My adult mindset came back full force and everything inside of me hurt.

“What’s wrong, love?” Liam wrapped his arms around me. “Why are you crying?”

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