“No, I think I just want to go to sleep.”
I settled in beside him and latched on, drawing my first pull of milk, my hand playing with his other nipple, and his hand rubbing a path up and down my back.
If you’d asked me years ago what my ideal life would be, I’d probably have said a corner office and expanding my bee business into beeswax candles. And that would’ve been pretty much it.
But I’d have been wrong in all of that, because this right here—living with the Daddy I loved, the one who not only took care of me but treated me like an equal and loved me unconditionally as he fostered me as I followed my dreams—this was the ideal life.
And somehow, it was mine.
EPILOGUE
ALLEN
It had been six months since Patrick moved in with me and the bees. Six months of waking up in his arms to morning kisses and shared breakfasts…and building a life together.
In other words, the best six months of my life.
I finished labeling the last jar of honey and put it in the shipping box. My new assistant would be back in the morning to handle the packing and deliveries. Hiring Tracy was Patrick's idea. Just one of many ways he gently nudged me toward taking better care of myself.
He was right. Letting Tracy handle the shipping meant I had energy left when Daddy got home.Energy for us.
The front door opened, and Patrick's familiar footsteps were mixed with the rustle of takeout bags. "I'm home!"
“Coming.” I abandoned my work station and practically ran to the kitchen.
He was standing there with bags from my favorite noodle place, looking sexy in his flour-dusted clothes from the bakery.
"Hi, Daddy."
"There's my sweet boy." He put the bags down and opened his arms for me.
Like always, I went to him without hesitation, burying my face in his chest and breathing in the hints of vanilla and brown sugar that clung to him.
He pressed a kiss to the top of my head. "How was your day?"
"Good. Just finished the last batch for today. Tracy will take care of everything else tomorrow."
"Good job, sweetheart." Patrick kissed the tip of my nose and then pulled back. "I got noodles and nuggies. Thought we could have a nice easy dinner tonight."
My stomach rumbled at the mention of chicken nuggets. Patrick knew all my favorite Little foods, and loved to give me the things that made me feel seen and cared for.
We ate at the kitchen table and dug in. Patrick told me a funny story about a difficult customer and promised to let me test some new cookie recipes he was gonna try out. And I told him about the hive inspection I did that morning and that one of the queens was doing especially well.
It was ordinary. Domestic.Perfect.
After dinner, Patrick quickly cleaned up and then pulled me into his arms. “How about we get your bath started.”
“Yes, please!” As we headed to the bathroom, I leaned into his side, already feeling myself slip into that special place I could only find with Daddy.
Bubble baths were a major part of our nighttime routine. Daddy would run the water to the exact right temperature and then add the bubbles, and then he’d sit on the edge of the tub while I played and splashed and squirmed while he soaped me up.
Patrick pulled me in for a kiss and reached for the hem of my t-shirt. “You ready to get naked, sweetheart?”
“With you, always.” I closed my eyes and let him undress me. I swayed in his hold as he kissed and teased his way down my body. “I wish you could play with the bubbles too.”
"I’d rather play with you." When I was naked, he helped me step into the warm water.
I sighed and leaned back as bubbles climbed up my chest.
