Page 49 of Daddy's Muse
I nodded again, fumbling for the lock button the moment he got out. The click of it settling in place made me feel a little less exposed, but not by much. My knees curled up toward my chest. My thumb found my mouth before I even realized what I was doing, the salty tang of my skin grounding me just enough to keep the panic from spilling over again.
I rocked a little, humming under my breath, the world outside the tinted windows blurring in my peripheral vision. Somewhere deep down, I knew I looked pathetic. Childish. But I couldn’t stop.
A few minutes later, I saw Pappa walk out of the building. I unlocked the door, and he slid in, a duffel bag hitting the backseat with a soft thud.
“Okay, I picked up a few things I thought you might need. If I missed anything, then you’ll just use what I have at home,” he said, starting the engine again. His eyes flicked to me—seeingthe way I was curled up—and something unreadable passed over his face.
As I continued sucking on my thumb, Pappa’s eyes melted, and he reached backwards for my bag.
“Here,” he said as he pulled Steve to the front and onto my lap. “Thought you’d like having your buddy.”
I squeaked a semblance of thanks and hugged my stuffie to my chest.
“Let’s get you home, little one,” he murmured.
13
Bodin
The tires crunched over the long drive, headlights sweeping across the dark silhouette of my home—two stories of cedar and glass tucked deep into the trees, far from the noise and eyes of campus, of the city, of… well, anything or anyone, really.
Colby’s head was still bowed, his knees pulled up in the passenger seat. He hadn’t said a word the whole ride, except for a small, stuttered “thank you” when I turned the heat up. I could feel his trust like a tangible weight between us. His utter exhaustion, too.
I cut the engine, and the woods swallowed the last mechanical hum. Only the whisper of wind through branches remained.
It was the perfect haven for my little bunny.
It was the perfect place to hide him from the rest of the world.
“Come on, little one,” I said quietly. He hesitated, eyes flicking toward the dark and shadowy tree line as if expecting something to lurch out and drag him in. “Stay there, I’ll help.”
I slid out of the driver’s seat, hurrying over to open the passenger’s side door. My hand closed over his, warm and firm, guiding him out. He was about to step down when I remembered he was barefoot still.
“Oh, hold on, baby.” I grabbed his bag from the backseat, swinging it over my shoulder, then lifted Colby into a bridal carry, hip-checking the car door closed.
The key turned smoothly in the lock, and the door swung open on a wash of cedar-scented heat. The entryway glowed soft gold from the sconces lining the walls.
“You’re home now,” I murmured against his hair. It wasn’t a lie. It just wasn’t temporary, either.
Further inside, the space opened up into a vaulted den, a high wall of glass framing the forest beyond. The stairs curled upward toward the additional bedrooms, but I took him straight past the stone fireplace and down the hall to mine.
He looked so tiny sitting on the edge of my bed while I dug through the bag for his things. He seemed to at least like the bed, petting the comforter and appearing content with its texture.
“Alright, let’s get you ready for bed. I packed a clean pair of pajamas, your toothbrush and toothpaste, deodorant, and some underwear. Your phone charger, too.” I wrapped my hands around his waist, carefully lifting him off the bed and onto his feet. Holding his small hand in mine, I showed him into the adjoining master bath, setting his things down on the sink counter. “I’ll be right outside, okay? Feel free to use any of the toiletries in here. Clean towels are in the closet there.”
I released his hand to leave him to it, and was surprised when he grabbed it back suddenly.
He mumbled something I didn’t quite catch.
“Do you need something?” I asked, squeezing his hand in comfort.
He shook his head, bit his lip, then nodded.
“Can you use your words, please, lille prinsen?”
He shuffled his feet. “Pappa, help.”
The possessiveness rolled through me in a slow, warm wave, and I didn’t fight it. Why should I? He was here now. I’d keep him here. I’d help him with whatever he needed, forever.
