Page 61 of Break Me, Daddy

Chapter22

Holden

“So… You’re still Daddy, huh?”

Breaking the silence left behind by the girls shutting the door behind them, Ice cocked a brow in Holden’s direction. All of the other Doms shifted to face him as well, clearly waiting for an answer.

“Yes. It’s what she needs.”

“Oh for fuck’s sake!” Popping off the couch, Cordelia tossed her hands in the air, aggravation pumping off her in waves. “I thought we talked about this. What about whatyouneed?”

“This is what I need, Cordelia.” Years of training, both in the military and out, helped him keep his own temper in check in the face of her anger. “I’m a Daddy. I can’t just turn that part of me off, not when the woman I love is hurting.”

At that, Cordelia stopped pacing, her arms falling by her side and her eyes narrowing. “You love her.”

“I do. And I’ve told her that. I’m just waiting for her to realize she loves me, too.”

“And while you wait, you’re breaking your own damn heart over and over. Why are you so determined to be a fucking martyr here, Holden?”

“I’m not. We put some boundaries in place. Right now our relationship is strictly platonic and mostly discipline based. Because she needs me, and I need to be there for her.”

Sighing, Cordelia scrubbed a hand over her face. “I guess I get that. Even when Ivy and I were just friends, I wouldn't have been able to turn her away if she’d needed me like that. I just worry about you, GSFD.”

Now it was his turn to narrow his eyes. “GSFD?”

“Oh, you haven’t heard that one before?” Cordelia grinned, baring her teeth, and if Holden had even an ounce of submissive in him, he was sure he would have shivered at the sight. “Giant Silver Fox Daddy. Silver’s nickname for you.”

Beside him, Ice dissolved into laughter. “Goddamn my girl is clever.” When Holden turned to glare at him, Ice rolled his eyes. “Come on, you can’t deny it fits you.”

Maybe he couldn’t, but it didn’t mean he was a fan. “I swear if I hear any of you referring to me that way…”

Cordelia just raised a brow. “Keep threatening me and I’ll make sure the nickname catches on with all the submissives at the club.”

“I’ve heard it said Doms are the biggest brats but I never believed it until I met you,” he grumbled, shooting her a good-natured glare. Despite her misgivings about the Frankie situation, it felt good to be on solid ground again with Cordelia, at least for now. He was under no delusions that she would keep her opinions to herself if any further issues arose.

“Now that we’ve all had a good laugh,” Braden drawled from his corner of the living room. “Are you sure you’re good with this setup you have with Frankie? It’s not going to be easy, living with the woman you love and keeping things…platonic.”

“No, it’s not,” he admitted with a shrug. “But as Cordelia so helpfully pointed out the other night, I need to know she’s with me because she wants to be, not just because I was the best option available to her when she hit rock-bottom.Sheneeds to know that’s why she’s with me. And to do that, I need to give her some space. The rules we have are strictly for her protection and safety.”

“How’s she feeling about the change?” Beckett asked.

“So far, she’s taken it in stride. I’ve told her pretty much the same things I’ve told all of you and she seems to understand I need to put this distance between us, at least for now.”

“Does this mean you’re going to let her play with other Doms at the club now?”

Beckett’s question was like a punch in the gut, one Holden had to breathe through before he could answer. “If she wants to, yes.”

That answer earned him another round of raised eyebrows, along with a low whistle from Ice.

“You’re a better man than me. I lost my shit when Silver put herself in that auction. No way could I handle seeing anyone else touch what’s mine.” The corner of his mouth kicked up in a smirk as he shared a look with Beckett. “Well. Unless I gave them permission to play with my toy, of course.”

“I’m not expecting it to be easy. But if she’s going to know for sure that she wantsmeand not just the protection and comfort I provide her, then I need to give her space to explore. And if that means letting her finally experience what it’s like with another Daddy, well, I guess that’s what I’ll do.”

Before any of the others could voice their concerns, the back door opened again and the submissive half of their group stepped inside. Lottie had her arm looped around Frankie’s waist, and even from a distance he could see the red rim around his babygirl’s eyes.

Not caring that the others were watching, judging, he jumped off the couch, blocking her from everyone’s sight with his body.

Being the Giant Silver Fox Daddy had some benefits.

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