After another sip, Ace took off with a rendition ofEverybody Loves Somebody Sometimes.
“You do a talking Dino better than a singing Dino,” Matteo chimed in. “Why not just turn on the real thing?”
“I’m on it,” Kendrick said, shuffling through the music on his phone. A moment later, Dean Martin’s velvety baritone came on, singingBlue Christmas.
Matteo and Ace went back to their pool game, while Kendrick stood against the bar, sipping on his bourbon, pondering the mystery that was Samantha.
Keeping his voice low, just in case she walked in, he said, “My cutie is perfect. But I suspect there’s something going on.”
The guys stopped playing pool and looked at him.
“As in, she needs help from the Daddy Guard?” Matteo asked.
Kendrick reflected on that question for a moment. “I don’t know. Can’t tell yet. I don’t think it’s a dangerous situation like Annika was in.”
Matteo looked relieved. He’d gone through hell worrying about the woman who would become his precious little girl. Kendrick knew he didn’t wish that upon anyone.
“So what’s your next move?” Ace asked.
A few moments passed while Kendrick savored a couple of sips from the glass in his hand. “I think I’ll let it ride. For now. I just want to create the type of environment where she feels safe and comfortable. If and when the time comes that she needs to tell me something, I’ll be ready.”
Matteo bobbed his head. “You’re a good Daddy.”
“I guess I’m not technically her Daddy yet.”
“Really?” Matteo clearly wasn’t convinced.
Neither was Kendrick.
Before any of the men could say something else, Samantha came into the den. “Hi. Do you need help with the kitchen?”
“Nah. I cleaned as I cooked, so really all we had to do was put our plates and glasses in the dishwasher. Threw the lasagna and bread pans in there, too. And Jack and Isaiah insisted on doing all that so I could be with you.” Kendrick placed his glass on the bar and walked to her.
“Oh?” Samantha asked. The question had a suggestive ring to it. So did the look in her eyes.
Desire swirled deep within Kendrick. He’d been around some beautiful women before. And yeah, he’d dated. He wasn’t exactly a novice when it came to relationships. But he’d never been in the presence of a woman who moved him the way Samantha did.
She was a force of nature. A tidal wave wrecking his soul.
He freaking loved it.
Could he also love her? Already?
He’d figure all that out later. Right now, he had his cutie with him. That was all that mattered.
“Where did the other girls go?” she asked him.
He feigned deep offense. “You want to hang out withthem?”
Samantha giggled. “I didn’t say that. Just curious.”
“They’re up getting changed. They want to watch a Christmas movie after that. Do you want to watch with them?”
“Well… I kind of want to… this is going to sound weird.”
“Honey, this is a mansion inhabited by Littles, Daddies, and a secret organization sworn to protect the ageplay community. I don’t think anything you say can sound weird.”
This drew a hearty laugh from her. “Fair enough.” Still, she looked a little sheepish as she explained what she had in mind. “Could we go for a walk? It’s so nice outside and the stars are justperfect! But I never feel safe walking in my neighborhood alone. Here, though, and with you… well, I figured it’s all good.”
