Page 52 of Daddy's Muse
A familiar raccoon face stared back at me, and I yawned as I wished him good morning.
Then my memory hit in a rush: the crooked wings of death, running, and running, my chest squeezing so tight I couldn’t breathe… and Pappa’s arms, solid and warm, lifting me out of it.
That’s right… Pappa had come to save me and take me home.
The space beside me was empty now, but the sheets were still warm where he’d been. My throat tightened.
I didn’t want to be alone.
Pushing back the thick comforter, I padded out of the bedroom, the dark wood floor cool under my bare feet. The cabin was quiet except for the occasional pop from the fireplace, until the faint sizzle of something frying led me down the hall to the kitchen.
Bodin stood at the stove, broad, muscled shoulders relaxed but purposeful as he flipped something in a pan. Sunlight from the tall windows poured over him, catching in his hair. He wore dark joggers and a white muscle shirt, which showed more of his skin than I’d ever seen before. His back bore a collection of scars and tattoos that I assumed were from his culture. His hair was tied into a low bun, long rogue hairs framing his face.
I still didn’t quite understand how someone so gorgeous and manly was into someone so weak and awkward like me.
He glanced over his shoulder as I stepped in, and his mouth softened into that look I was starting to realize he reserved just for me.
“Good morning, sweetheart,” he said, voice warm and melodic. “I was just about to come wake you up. Come here.”
I went without thinking, gravitating toward the heat of him. He caught my waist and pulled me in before I could lose my nerve, tucking me against his side.
“Are you hungry?”
“A little,” I admitted, fingers twisting in the hem of my pajama shirt. “Um… I was thinking—I need to get back to my dorm. For work and class. Do you think you could drive me? Or it’s okay if not, I can always call for a—”
He plated the eggs, setting the dishes on the counter before turning to face me fully, a hand sliding up my back to grip the back of my neck. “No.”
I blinked at him. “But—”
“I saw what scared you when I went up to your room to get your things,” he said, firm but not unkind. “That wasn’t a harmless prank. Whoever did that wants to hurt you, Colby. And you think going back into that environment right now is a good idea?”
“I… I just don’t want to fall behind,” I murmured. “And I need my hours at the diner. I don’t… I depend on that money…”
“Your professors will understand,” he replied, like it was already decided. “Work can wait. I can cover anything you’d need money for. What you need right now is to rest and relax—here.”
Part of me wanted to argue, to say it wasn’t practical and that I couldn’t just put my life on pause. But the other part, the bigger part, just wanted my Pappa.
Pappa slid a plate toward me and gestured to a stool at the counter. “Eat. Then we’ll find you something warm to wear. No one’s expecting you anywhere today except me.”
For some reason… that made my chest loosen a little.
I slid onto the stool, still feeling the faint tremor in my hands from last night as I picked up my fork. Pappa leaned on the counter across from me, not eating yet, just watching. Not in a way that made me nervous—more like he was making sure I actually took each bite.
That was a very Daddy thing to do, I thought.
The first mouthful of eggs was warm and yummy, and I settled further onto the stool.
“How are you feeling today?” he asked, voice low as he turned to open the fridge and pull out a bottle of apple juice. He then reached into a cabinet, pulling down the most adorable cup.
I forgot about his inquiry for a second. “Whoa, it has bears, Pappa!” I exclaimed, putting down my fork.
Pappa laughed as he filled the cup. “I love how easily you’ve been slipping into littlespace with me,” he said, a proud smile onhis face. Once the cup was full, he pushed it over to me on the counter. “Be careful since it’s a big boy cup, baby.”
I nodded eagerly, picking the cup up with both hands and sipping my juice.
“Do you know what type of bear that is?”
Placing the cup back down carefully, I bubbled, “Polar bear!”
