Page 52 of Collision of Winters
Gah.
I leaned in and brushed our noses together, and I couldn’t speak. If I did, jumbled, squeaky garbage would come out. I wanted to scream and shake him, I was so happy.
Was this my life now?
“I’m overwhelmed,” I managed to croak.
He understood me immediately and squeezed me to him. “No more words for a while, then,” he murmured. “Just leave everything to Daddy. I’ve got you.”
Jesus Christ.
I screwed my eyes shut and clung to him.
February 22nd, 2021
“…if the birthday boy can wake up.”
My nose twitched, and I hugged the pillow to me.
Birthday boy?
Sleep clung to the edges of my senses, and I wanted to go back to the dream I was having. Daddy and I were in the middle of shopping for a new pillowcase.
“Is someone here turning twenty-six today?”
Oh. Um. I… But the pillowcase shopping…
Wake up, it’s your birthday!
My eyes flashed open, and I squirmed around in bed as the weight shifted on the mattress. Wade was here. Daddy! Daddy was here. He was my Daddy now. Yesterday had been real. And his little one turned twenty-six today! And also, he was only wearing boxer briefs, and that was always worth celebrating.
I pushed myself up and scrubbed my fists over my eyes.
“There he is, the most beautiful boy in the world…”
I grinned sleepily and shook off the last of the exhaustion. It must be super early because I was usually the one who woke up first. It was dark out, though that didn’t mean much.
“Good morning, Daddy.” I crawled over to him, and he was quick to wrap his arms around me.
“Good morning, my sweet birthday boy.” He kissed the top of my head and showed me a new pair of briefs he’d dug out from my luggage. He’d wanted us to sleep naked, and now he wantedme to wear clothes? Pffft. “Are you ready to join Daddy in the front room?”
I nodded but didn’t leave his lap or unlock my arms from around him. “I think I’m stuck. I can’t seem to let go of you.” Even though something smelled amazing from the other room.
“Oh, is that a fact?” His voice was extra sexy in the morning, all whiskey and laziness. He put the underwear on me all on his own. “Good thing I’m strong, then.” With that, he grunted and got off the bed, with me hanging on to him, and I giggled madly. Then he swooped an arm under my leg and lifted me higher. “There we go.”
He actually carried me!
I tightened my hold on him and beamed as we headed out to the main room, and things only got better from there. He’d set up breakfast on the coffee table, and I counted four birthday presents! It was super cozy. He’d stoked the fire and put out all our blankets. Some candles on the table too.
“Oh my God, Daddy.”
“I was gonna let you search for the gifts initially, but we have to get going soon,” he said, his voice strained. Until he literally dropped me on the couch.
I yelped and cracked up. My stomach tickled!
“When we get to the retreat, we can play our own version of hide-and-seek,” he finished.
I grinned slyly. “Can’t wait.” I scrambled into position and folded my legs under me, and I eyed the delicious-looking food. Two big steaks, lots of green beans soaked in butter and herbs, and breakfast potatoes. Yummy, yummy, yummy. “Sit close to me, please.”
