Page 46 of Daddy's Christmas Rescue
I wrapped an arm around her, pulled her close, and she melted into me. Biscuit lay at our feet, snoring.
“You did good today,” I murmured. “I’m proud of you.”
After a while, she yawned and let her head fall onto my shoulder. I wrapped my arm around her and pulled her closer, and she didn’t even hesitate.
“Are you tired?” I whispered.
She nodded, but didn’t move. “Can Banjo sleep in your room too?”
“Banjo can sleep wherever you want, baby-girl.”
She squeezed my hand. I could feel her trembling, but it wasn’t fear. “Can I get ready for bed in your bedroom Daddy?”
“Of course,” I brushed a kiss on her lips. “I’ll take Biscuit out a last time and make sure we’re all locked up tight. Do you promise to ask if you need help?”
She nodded and practically skipped to the door, then paused. “Daddy?”
She could call me that a million times and it would never fail to stop my heart. “Yes, baby-girl?”
“Don’t forget to leave some cookies out for Santa, and a carrot for Rudolph.”
Yep, stopped. I was gonna die of happiness. Biscuit might need to be trained in CPR.
Chapter fifteen
Holly
I shut the bedroom door and just stood there for a second, heart pounding so hard I could hear it in my ears.
The pajamas were safe. That was easy. He’d loved me in them, his whole face going soft, and I was learning how to be safe with Blake. But the black silk… that was different. That was grown-up, and scary, and I didn’t even know where to start.
I peeled the pajamas off, trembling all over, and folded them as neat as I could. The silk felt so light in my hands, like it might disappear if I breathed too hard. I ran my finger along the lace, the tiny pink bows. I’d never owned anything like it. Mom would have thrown it out. Said I was too soft, too round, too nothing. “Perfect girls don’t wear things like that,” she’d sneered once, and the words stuck.
I wasn’t perfect. Not even close. But maybe that was the point.
I pulled the teddy on, careful not to rip anything. It slid over my skin like water, cool and slippery. The cups barely fit, lace stretching at the seams, and the hem didn’t even reach the topsof my thighs. I looked in the mirror and almost turned away, but I forced myself to look.
I looked ridiculous. Curvy and awkward, dark hair wild around my face, eyes too big. The lace clung to every inch of me, making me look even softer, even smaller. I hugged my arms around my chest, then let go, because I remembered what Gemma had said. You get to be both. You get to be anything you want.
I wanted to be wanted, and Blake wouldn't have bought it if he didn't want me. Removing it carefully, I rushed to the bathroom and got clean, then carefully redressed.
I tried to fix my hair, but the curls just bounced back. My cheeks were bright red, and my mouth wouldn’t stop trembling. I pressed my hands to my face, just breathing for a second. I could do this. He’d said he wanted all of me. Even this part. Especially this part.
I reached for Banjo, then hesitated. I didn’t know if it was silly to bring him, but I needed something to hold onto, even if it was just pretend bravery. I hugged the bunny close, then set him on the bed, promising I’d come back.
The hallway was dark, the only light spilling from under the living room door. My feet were bare. I padded down the hall, every step making me more nervous, more desperate. I could hear Blake, the sound of his voice as he talked to Biscuit. Safe. Always so safe.
I stopped at the edge of the living room, heart in my throat.
He was sitting on the couch, looking at his phone, but the second he saw me, everything went still.
He didn’t smile. Didn’t move. Just stared, hard, like he was trying to memorize every inch of me.
I almost ran, right then. My legs wanted to run so bad it hurt, but I made myself walk in, arms by my sides, lace and silk and skin on full display. My face was burning.
Blake put his phone down, slow. He didn’t say anything, but his hands curled into fists on his knees. His eyes traveled from my bare legs all the way up. It was like I’d knocked the breath out of him. All that focus. Every inch of me hot and prickly under the lace.
He didn’t say anything. Didn’t move.
