Daddy’s Little Runaway by Lila Fox
Chapter Thirteen
Devon held her hand as they walked through her house the following day. If it hadn’t been for him, she would have fallen to her knees in despair.
There were things from every room that were missing. Old antiques that had been in the family, paintings, silver, and china.
“We can try to get some of it back, pet.”
She looked up at him. “Is that possible?”
“Yes. I’ve got people working on it now.”
She walked over to a window and looked out. God, there were so many things racing through her mind it made her feel dizzy. She sighed when his arms came around her waist.
“What’s going on in your head, pet?”
“There is so much. I wouldn’t know where to begin.”
“Like what?” he asked.
“I have to put my home back together, and it will be nearly impossible. It will take me days to clean the place. They left such a mess. I have to catalog everything she stole. I have to find a job. Do I keep this from my aunt? I’m not sure.”
“Wait. We can have someone to come in and clean.”
She shook her head. “No. One because it’s my home and I miss it, and two I can’t afford something like that.”
He sighed. “It doesn’t have to be done right away, and I wish you wouldn’t worry about the money.”
Emma looked over her shoulder at him. “Of course, I have to start cleaning. I won’t live in a dirty house, and as far as money goes, I have no idea what’s in the bank account. That’s something else I have to take care of.”
She pulled away from him and walked across the room. “I’m just going to stay here and get started.”
“The hell you are.”
She twirled around to face him. “What do you mean? This is my home.”
He walked to her and grasped her shoulders. “I guess I haven’t been plain enough. I want you to stay with me.”
“That was just until I got my home back, I thought.”
“No. I want you with me no matter what.”
“Like in a relationship?”
He nodded. “Yes. Do you think you’d want to try it?”
“Why would you want to be with someone like me?”
His brows snapped together. “What do you mean?”
“You’re so handsome. You could get any woman you want, so I’m just wondering if you feel guilty or something.”
“What the hell? I want to be with you because I care very much for you, and I hope you feel the same.”
“You want what Lacey and Cason have, don’t you?”
“What do you mean?” he asked.
“The daddy thing. No one has explained it to me.”
“Have you heard of a Big/little relationship?”
She shook her head.
“It’s when the woman wants to give control of most everything to the man in her life, and he wants to take care of her.”
“But why call him her daddy?”
“It’s a term of endearment, that’s all. From what I understand, it makes both people feel closer.”
“So, if we tried a relationship, you’d want me to call you Daddy?”
“Only if you feel comfortable doing it.”
“I’ve never had a father.”
He nodded. “I know, baby.”
“Where would we live?”
“That doesn’t have to be decided right now. But let's go back to the condo until everything is settled here.”
She gazed around and then nodded. “Okay.”
“We’ll be back soon. Do you want to grab some of your clothes and things?”
“Yes. Someone messed up my room, but I think my clothes are fine. I’ll just need to wash them.”
“We can do that at the condo.”
He followed her upstairs. She was aware of his footsteps behind her, and it made her feel safe at the same time it sent a thrill up her spine.
She pulled a suitcase down from the hall closet, placed it on her bed, and started folding things into it.
“Thank you,” she said as he handed her things. “How much should I take?”
“Let’s take two suitcases, and we’ll come back for more.”
She nodded and kept packing. After she had filled a bag with the things from the bathroom, they walked downstairs and out the front door.
She watched as he locked the house and then followed her with the bags.
Her gaze stayed on the house as they pulled away.
“We’ll come back.”
She twisted her head to see him. “I know.” It didn’t make her feel any better, though. Her stomach tightened further with every mile they put between her and her home.
