“Are you going to take your medicine without arguing now, kitten?”
A smile curves my lips and I force my eyes open to meet his darkly amused gaze. “Yes, Daddy.”
“Good girl.”
Chapter Twenty-One
Evander
To my delight, Natalie settles into life here on the island with more ease than I ever expected. But nottoomuch ease, thankfully. She still gives me reasons to redden her naughty bottom on a regular basis, and more than once I’ve caught her sneaking out of her crib at night.
Those are my favorite moments. When she runs from me, her shrieks and giggles echoing through the house until I finally catch her, pinning her to some piece of furniture as I fuck her poor little bottom hole until she comes, sobbing and crying out for Daddy.
Unfortunately, life outside of the island beckons. There are things that need my attention, and I’ve been putting them off as long as I can. But there’s a dispute back in New York that’s about to boil over and my presence is needed.
“But why can't I come with you?”
Eyes full of tears, Natalie pouts up at me, her bottom lip trembling. “Because it’s far too dangerous, kitten. If anyoneknew who you were or what you mean to me, they’d stop at nothing to get to you. I can’t risk that happening.”
“Papa could come with us. He could protect me.”
Glancing up, I meet Lucas’s gaze. We both know he’d happily give his life to protect my Little one, but if I can avoid putting him in that position, I will. “He is going to protect you, right here, at home.”
Her bottom lip firms up and her eyes narrow, letting me know she’s teetering on the edge of a full-blown tantrum. The deeper she’s gotten into her role as my Little girl, the more frequent those tantrums have become. And while I don’t usually mind indulging them, as it gives me a reason to either spank her or fuck her, whichever she seems to need more at the moment, right now I need her to understand just how serious I am.
“Who is she?”
Confused, I frown down at my mutinous Little girl. “Who is who?”
“The other woman. That’s the only reason I can think of why you wouldn’t take me with you. You’ve got a whole other family back in New York, don’t you?”
The idea is so preposterous it almost makes me laugh. But it’s clear from the venom in her eyes that laughing would be a very, very bad idea.
Lifting her up into my arms, I carry her over to the couch in my office, settling with her on my lap. “Kitten. I want you to listen to me very closely. Are you listening?”
“Yeah.”
Because I can tell beneath the attitude she’s hurting, I let the response pass without scolding her. Cupping her cheek in my hand, I meet her watery gaze. “There is nobody but you. There willbenobody but you for as long as I draw breath. You are my everything, Natalie, and I would rather die a thousand deaths than ever cause you that kind of pain. Do you understand?”
Some of the worry clears from her expression. “You mean that?”
“With everything I have, little one.”
Her bottom lip trembles again. “Then why are you leaving me?”
“I don’t want to, baby. I want nothing more than to stay right here with you, every second of every day. But I have responsibilities back in the city that demand my attention. I promise I will be home as soon as I can. And I will make sure to call you every day until I return. Okay?”
“Yeah, I guess. I mean, I don’t really have a choice, do I?”
“Unfortunately, neither of us really do when it comes to this. But your Papa will be here to take care of you.” Leaning in, I drop my voice to a conspiratorial whisper. “And between you and me, he’s a lot nicer than your Daddy. I bet if you wanted to, you could even talk him into having donuts for breakfast every day.”
The suggestion gets a giggle out of my little kitten, and the sound eases some of the guilt twisting around my stomach. “But if I do that then you’ll spank me when you get home!”
“What happens with Papa stays with Papa,” I assure her.
“Okay.” Her giggles fade and her bottom lip pushes out in a pout once more. “I still don’t want you to go.”
Nothing has ever tempted me away from my responsibilities like those wide, woeful eyes. “I know, little one. But I’ll be home before you even have time to miss me. I promise.”
