Chuckling, I slide my hands under her arms and gently lift her, settling her across my lap, straddling me. “Yes, babe. Sebastian is strictly Dominant, but Gabe is what we call a switch. Comfortable in either role, depending on the person. From what I know, he’s submissive with Sebas, and dominant with women. They’re both bi.”
“Ahhh, okay. That makes sense.” She pauses. “And you?”
I saw that coming.
“Me?” I smirk, trailing my fingers up her sides. “I’ve always been Dominant. And apparently, I have aDaddykink that a certain naughty little princess helped me discover.”
I kiss her neck slowly, letting the heat between us simmer.
“Why, princess?” I murmur against her skin. “Are you thinking about seeing if there’s more to you than just my sweet baby girl? Maybe a little Domina in the making?”
“What? No.” Her response comes too fast, too sharp.
I reach out, brushing my fingers along her jaw to ground us both. “Ava, baby girl… I don’t know how well I’d handle being the one dominated, but for you? I’d be willing to try. If it’s ever something you want—or need—I’d give it a shot. Understand?”
Her eyes soften, her expression melting into something sweeter. “Yes, Daddy. I appreciate it, really… but I prefer whenyoutake control. Whenyoudo what you want, when you want… and where you want.”
Her voice shifts mid-sentence—starting soft and innocent, ending playful, laced with just enough mischief to make my blood heat. That little switch of hers… I fucking love it. I love how comfortable she’s become letting her inner naughty little slut come out to play.
“Mmm… whatever I want?” I ask, even though I already know. Or at least, I know what shethinksshe wants tonight.
“Uh-huh,” she hums, her voice syrupy-sweet and sexy as sin. “Whatever Daddy wants from his little slut.”
Fuck.
I exhale slowly, control slipping for just a second before I rein it back in. I cup her cheek, watching her pupils dilate with anticipation.
“Baby,” I say gently but firmly, “as much as I’d love to have you on your knees and fuck that pretty little mouth of yours, then bend you over the table and rail you until we both forget our own names… tonight, my little slut is going to rest.”
I see the protest on her face, but I press a finger to her lips.
“Just a few hours ago, you passed out, remember? Your body’s still catching up, and your well-being comes first. So, here’s what we’re going to do—be a good girl, wait right here while I run you a bath. Salts, bubbles, the whole deal. You’re going to relax.”
I pause, letting my voice drop into a promise.
“And if you behave… Daddy will end the night with dessert. That perfect little pussy of yours on my tongue, until you forget you even wanted more.”
She’s already melting, and I haven't even touched her yet. And later, I’ll fall asleep with her in my arms—right where she belongs.
Chapter eighteen
Ava
I’mnervous.
Elijah told me not to be. Told me they’d love me.
But I can tell this matters to him. The way he shaved extra close. The way he’s wearing his favorite boots but kept adjusting them like he’s second-guessing. The way he keeps glancing at me when he thinks I’m not looking.
We’re walking into the only part of his past he still loves—and that means something.
Their home is unexpected.
Not a mansion or some guarded estate, like the old movies would suggest. Just a renovated brownstone tucked into a quietstreet with ivy creeping over the brick. There’s a little pride flag in the window and fresh herbs on the sill.
The door opens before Elijah knocks.
The man who opens is tall, lean, and wickedly handsome in a sharp-bookstore-clerk-meets-boxer kind of way. He has ink crawling down both arms and a kitchen towel slung over one shoulder like he owns the whole damn planet and forgot to be smug about it.
