Page 12 of In Daddy's Care

A sad smile touched Soren’s lips, and then disappeared. “I have so many jokes I could make to lighten the mood. Unfortunately, Bronx says I need to stop making myself the joke, so I’m fighting the urge to be that guy.”

Well, fuck. Shane hadn’t needed to know Bronx was a smart guy.

Soren kept going. “So, I guess I don’t have a choice but to ignore my nervous tic and just be honest. I’m not stupid. When I chose to stick by Kyson’s side throughout him being abused by his ex to moving in with Banks, I knew what that meant. Like I said, maybe I didn’t exactly know how cruel Beau is, but I still knew I could be asking for trouble.” Soren shifted positions, as if really getting into his explanation. “You see, I don’t have anyone. I know you understand what it’s like to be the one everyone relies on, but you don’t know what it’s like to have absolutely no one.” The deep pain that crossed Soren’s features broke Shane. He swallowed past his swelling throat while Soren kept baring his heart. “No one calls me or celebrates me on my birthday. There’s no Christmas or Thanksgiving. I watch all the decorations go up for other people for every changing season and I feel nothing anymore. There’s no one. So, when offered a chosen family that might get me killed, it looked like fucking heaven to me. It still does.”

If he had ever heard Soren curse, Shane couldn’t recall it. For some reason, it really drove home how powerful Soren felt about everyone under this roof.

Soren made a helpless gesture. “I guess what I’m really getting at is, I never stood a chance against falling in love with you. It’s okay if I’m not who you want or if you don’t want something serious. You’re allowed to feel however you feel, but please don’t take this family from me. I have no one.”

Shane cupped Soren’s face so he couldn’t look away. “Baby, you’re not hearing me. I love you. No one has ever heard those words from me who isn’t family: real or found. It’s whatever, but you are the person who has my heart. You’re who I want to bewith for the rest of my life.” Shane felt his insanity rising again. “And I’m so fucking mad at you for not telling me you were a virgin before the wedding.”

Soren’s face immediately turned bright red. “I was scared you’d stop.”

He couldn’t take it anymore. Shane kissed him. God, he needed the way Soren’s tongue moved against his. He needed this so much. Unfortunately, he also had more to say. “Nothing could’ve made me stop that night, but I would’ve done things differently.”

Soren smiled. “I didn’t want things differently. You made me feel wanted. That’s not something I get.”

That reminded Shane. “Tons of men here want you. They just know no one will find their bodies if they touch you. Speaking of which, you’re not allowed to date anyone else. You have no idea how close you came to getting that boy killed today.”

“You don’t get to be bossy and set boundaries until you ask me properly to be yours.”

A smile exploded across Shane’s face. God, how could he not fall in love with this guy? He was so brave. Shane tried hard to rearrange his features to the seriousness the moment deserved. “I know I’m asking for everything, but can I be your daddy?”

Soren melted. Shane didn’t know how else to describe the way Soren’s every wall visibly fell while Shane watched. “You want to be my daddy? I thought you didn’t like that stuff.”

Soren’s reaction proved Shane’s every thought correct. He wanted to be someone’s baby. “I love you. That means I love being who you need. You don’t get to pretend with me. I won’t have you giving up a part of yourself just to be with me. Everything about you turns me on.” Shane swept his gaze down Soren’s body. Even he couldn’t believe how hot the cat onesie made him. The zipper made the suit like opening a gift. He also craved hearing Soren call him daddy the way Kyson did for Banks. The idea of it made him feel like they would be closer than simply dating. It made them permanent.

“I love you too, Daddy.”

Fuck. It was so much sexier than he expected. Shane stood and took Soren down on the couch. He covered Soren’s body with his. Soren stared up at him, completely trusting. That shocked Shane, considering how rough he had been with Soren that first night. Of course, it seemed he had been overthinking a lot of things lately.

“I hear you punched someone in the throat the other day.”

A blush exploded across Soren’s face. “He was touching people without their permission and not taking no for an answer. Not a single guard intervened.” He shrugged. “I couldn’t do nothing.”

Shane nodded. He had heard the story. “I’ll talk to the crew about paying closer attention. Better me than Banks. If he had been there, people would have lost their lives.”

Soren nodded. “I saw what he did to the guy who hurt Kyson.”

“I’d do worse if anyone ever hurt you.”

Soren stroked his chest. He bit his bottom lip, drawing attention to his sexy mouth. “Are you upset I hit someone?”

Shane shifted positions, ensuring Soren couldn’t miss his erection. “Does it feel like I’m angry?”

An adorable smile appeared at his question. “I don’t know. You’re still talking.”

“Please excuse me for not giving you what you deserve.” He captured Soren’s lips. His heart immediately soared, as if it was the first time they kissed. Then Soren tugged at his shirt, stealing it, and the air thickened. The way Soren always acted hungry for him was such a rush. It stroked his ego. His fingers found the zipper on Soren’s pajamas. He slowly slid it down as far as he could, with his body keeping Soren trapped.

Shane climbed from the couch. “This isn’t working.” He scooped Soren into his arms and tossed him on the bed.

Soren laughed as he bounced.

The sound died when Shane joined him. Shane held his stare as he finished divesting Soren of the onesie. He cupped Soren’s erection through his underwear and massaged before stealing those as well.

“It’s so odd. I don’t feel exposed with you.”

“That’s because you’ve always known I love you, and I think you’re the sexiest guy alive. In your heart, you’ve known it.”

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