The evening dissolves into easy conversation, laughter, the comfortable rhythm of friends who know each other well. Stories about work, about clients, about the daily chaos of loving someone who needs structure as much as you need to provide it.
Later, after everyone leaves and the house is quiet again, I'm curled up on the couch with Rex. Thor's sprawled across our feet, snoring like a chainsaw, maple walnut cookie successfully defended. The foster cats are tucked in their heated beds in the garage, safe and warm.
"What are you thinking about?" Rex murmurs against my hair, his arm solid around my shoulders.
"Just thinking about how different everything is. Six months ago I was drowning. Now I'm here. With you. Buying a clinic. It's almost scary how good things are."
"Good things aren't scary," he says softly. "You just spent so long thinking you didn't deserve them that it feels wrong when they finally show up."
His hand strokes my back. "You deserve every good thing, Daisy. The clinic, this life, me. All of it."
I twist to look at him. "You really think I deserve this? Sometimes I wake up and think it's all going to disappear."
"Not going anywhere." He shifts so I'm in his lap, straddling him, his hands on my waist. "You're stuck with me, baby girl.The clinic, this house, Thor, me—all of it is permanent." He grins. “Now, Daddy wants to show his little girl how proud he is."
I kiss him, deep and slow, tasting the beer on his lips and something uniquely Rex underneath. "I love you. So much."
"Love you too, baby girl." He's already carrying me toward the bedroom. "More than you know." He stands in one smooth motion, keeping me in his arms like I weigh nothing. Thor raises his head, watches us leave with a snort, then goes back to sleep.
"Bedtime," Rex announces, carrying me down the hallway.
"Early bedtime?"
"Special occasion bedtime." His eyes are dark with promise. "Celebrating my brilliant girl and her new clinic."
He sets me on the bed gently, then steps back. "Strip for me, baby girl. Let Daddy see what's his."
I obey with shaking hands, pulling off my dress, my bra, my panties. Standing naked before him while he's fully dressed makes me feel vulnerable and precious all at once.
"So fucking beautiful." He circles me slowly, fingers trailing over my skin. "My good girl. So proud of you today."
"Daddy," I'm already aching for him.
"Shh. Daddy's going to take care of you. But first..." He sits on the edge of the bed, pats his lap. "Come here."
I move to him, and he positions me straddling his thigh, still fully clothed beneath me. The rough denim of his jeans against my bare pussy makes me gasp.
"That's it." His hands grip my hips. "Show Daddy how much you want this. Ride my thigh, baby girl."
"Rex!"
"What's my name?"
"Daddy," I whimper, starting to move. The friction is perfect and not enough all at once.
"Good girl. Look at you, getting my jeans all wet. So needy for Daddy, aren't you?"
"Yes! Please!"
"I know what you need." He guides my hips, controlling my rhythm. "But you're going to work for it. Show me how much you want to come."
I grind against his thigh desperately, chasing the friction, the pressure. His hands are firm on my hips, controlling exactly how much I get.
"Such a pretty little thing. All flushed and desperate." One hand moves to my breast, thumb circling my nipple. "So perfect for me. My good girl."
"Couldn't help it. You kept looking at me like—like you wanted to—"
"Like I wanted to bend you over the dining table in front of everyone?" His voice drops lower. "Because I did. Wanted to show them all who you belong to."
