She didn’t seem to be uncomfortable, though. In fact, she looked eager to please as she nodded vigorously. “Yes, Sir! I can do that!”
“Good. Let’s start with the situation in Palisades. What could you have done differently?”
He could tell she was thinking as she tapped her chin. “Ooh! I could have gotten out of my car, stayed safely behind the railing, and assessed the situation instead of just running down the mountain.”
John smiled and once again fought the urge to scoop her up. He didn’t just want to hug her now; he wanted to shower her in kisses. He swore she was getting cuter by the second. “Very good. Now, I want you to close your eyes and think back to all you saw that day, in that moment. Had you actually taken the time to do that, what would your assessment have shown you?”
He continued to watch her as she obeyed.
With her eyes still closed, Trixie finally said, “Oh, boy. Sir, I would have seen that the firefighters—like you—were already there and gearing up to help.” She opened her eyes. “I just sort of made the situation worse for you guys by adding another person to be rescued to the mix, huh?”
He chuckled. “I don’t want to sound harsh, but yeah.” He stepped forward again. “That’s not the most important thing, though. Your safety is. I want you to be alive and thriving. AndI have your word that you’re going to be more careful from here on out to make sure that happens. Right?”
“Yes, Sir! Promise!” She extended her hand.
He shook it, but then said, “May I have a hug?”
She giggled and rushed into his arms.
Holding her for that brief moment was the most wonderful sensation John had ever experienced.
He let go, though, not wanting to hold on too long and make her uncomfortable.
Perhaps there would be a chance to hug her again. Soon, even.
John was determined to find a way to make that happen.
“Trixie? Are you around here?” a voice called out.
Jack and Ace stepped around the corner of the mansion.
“Oh, hey guys,” Jack said.
“Jack. Ace.” John shook their hands. “Good to see you two.”
“Good seeing you. You’re on security duty here tonight?” Ace said.
“Yeah.”
“And I see you’ve already met one of the cutest Littles here. Miss Trixie,” Ace added.
John looked to see Trixie’s cheeks turn red as she giggled quietly.
Mmm. Damn. He didn’twantTrixie.
Heneededher.
“Sure have. We were just having a little conversation about keeping ourselves safe.”
“And I’m going to do a better job of it, Sirs!” Trixie said earnestly.
It was evident from their smiles that Jack and Ace found her nearly as cute as he did, John thought. Though he knew they were smitten with their own Littles.
“We’re glad to hear that. Especially with all that’s going on,” Jack told her.
The hair on the back of John’s neck stood on end. Was Trixie in some kind of trouble?
It stood to reason that she was. Trouble was just what the Daddy Guard specialized in. If Jack and Ace were helping her with something, then she must be in danger.
