“Girls, let’s go down and eat dinner. Your daddies should be here soon.”
Confused, Eve looked from one to the other. “I thought you guys didn’t have daddies.”
Larkin and Brylee glanced at Patrick.
Patrick crouched and set his hand on Eve’s shoulder. “It’s not the traditional relationship like with real fathers and daughters. It’s called a Big/little relationship. Both couples need a special type of bond, both in and out of bed. The men want to be able to take care of the girls. Make all their decisions and be the center of their world,” he explained. “The girls need someone to do exactly that. It’s not that they don’t want to grow up, it’s just the type of personalities they have, and there’s nothing wrong with that.”
“You really call them daddy?” Eve asked the girls.
Both girls grinned and nodded.
Eve stood.
“Just wait until you’re around us. You’ll get used to everything,” Larkin promised.
Eve glanced at Patrick out of the corner of her eyes and then down.“Is there a question you want to ask me, baby?”
“Are … do you want to be a daddy, too?”
He curved an arm around her waist. “Yes, I do.”
Eve drew in a breath, trying to relieve the pressure in her chest and the tingling that started in her private parts. The thought of this man being her daddy, something she never knew was possible, was surprisingly enticing
to her. She just knew at that moment she didn’t think it was possible. What man would want her for their own little? Not only was she ugly and stupid, but she also had the devil in her. No matter how bad her father had beaten her or how many sermons she’d sat through, nothing had worked to get her free from the darkness in her soul.
Chapter Five
Eve sat down at the big table with Larkin and Brylee. They talked about everything they wanted to show Eve and everywhere they wanted to take her.
Patrick was in the kitchen, talking to someone when the doorbell rang.
A minute later, two men came into the room.
Brylee and Larkin squealed, jumped up, and raced around the table and into the men’s arms. Eve stared at the couples. A pressure built in her chest that took her by surprise. She tried to take calming breaths, but something painful continued to grow.
Patrick came through the door and must have noticed her expression because he curled a hand around her arm and pulled her from the chair. He walked to the head of the table, sat, and pulled her into his lap. His arms tightened around her when she went to rise.
“Easy, baby. I’m just holding you. I saw the panic in your expression and wanted to help. Nothing and no one will ever hurt you again,” he murmured against the top of her head.
She relaxed against his chest and tucked her head under his chin. She felt the warmth of his skin through his shirt and her dress. His masculine scent wrapped around her, giving her a peace she didn’t know existed.
Patrick kept talking to her, and she was vaguely aware that the others in the room had quietly gone out to give them some time alone.
“How are you doing?”
She released a shuddering breath and nodded. “I’m okay.”
Patrick kissed the top of her head. “Good. Any time you feel overwhelmed, come to me. I don’t care where I am or who I’m with. I’ll pull you into my lap, and we’ll sit until you feel better. Expect it to happen for a long while until you get used to the changes in your life.”
“Why am I staying here?”
“One, because I want you here and two, because your father won’t look for you here.”
“But why do you want me here?’ Eve asked.
“It’s hard to explain, baby, but the first time I saw you, I felt you were already a part of me. In time, I want us to explore a relationship. But now, I just want you to get to know me and be comfortable in this house and around me.”
She tilted her head back to see his. “You really want to be with me?”