Page 34 of Off-Limits Daddy
His eyes flicked up, searching, like he could hear the undercurrent I wasn’t brave enough to say out loud yet. Like hefeltit too.
A beat passed, heavier than it should’ve been.
Then—soft, almost too soft, “You make it easy.”
That, God, that hit deeper than I wanted it to. Not just because of what he said, but because I believed him. He could’ve brushed it off, called me stubborn or trouble, said I was a pain in the ass. But no—he gave methat.
You make it easy.
It felt like praise even though it wasn’t supposed to be. Like a hand at the back of my neck, stabilizing, guiding. Something good. Somethingmine.
I swallowed hard. My fingers twitched under his, itching to curl into the touch, but I didn’t move. I held still, letting him hold that part of me, letting myselfwantit.
Want him.
The need to hear more crawled up my throat, sharp, hungry.Say it. Call me good. Tell me I’m yours.Something in me wanted to fold into that, make myself small just so he’d have a reason to hold me steady.
But I didn’t say any of that. Not yet.
Daddy’s thumb gave one last pass over my wrist before he eased his hand away, slow like he knew he shouldn’t have done it, but couldn’t help himself.
“You’re doing good,” he said finally, voice low.
I wish I could reach over to get the bottled water on the nightstand, and empty it in one gulp. To cool down the lust raging inside me. But Daddy was holding my wrist and I didn’t want him to let go.
God, I was hopeless.
Good.
Good boy.
The way Daddy said I’m doing good shouldn’t have felt like it did. Shouldn’t have curled heat through my stomach like I’d been waiting for it my whole damn life.
More, I wanted to say.
I bit the inside of my cheek instead and let him go.
His thumb gave one last pass across my wrist before he stepped back, hand dropping. The loss of contact felt like someone yanked the plug out of something electric. Sharp. Empty.
“I’ll leave you to it,” he murmured, softer now. “Get some rest and then get some sketching done later.”
“Thought you liked giving orders.”
That flicker of a smile again—half amusement, half warning. “I do.” His voice curled around the words. “Don’t make me give you one you’re not ready for.”
My throat closed around whatever smart reply I’d been reaching for, heat sparking across my skin like someone struck a match too close to my chest.
Daddy headed for the door. Just before he stepped out, he glanced back over his shoulder. Not casual. Not friendly.
Possessive.
I think.
“Get some rest, Ari.”
Right.
Like I was gonna sleep now.
