Simon spoke gently as his hand swiped at the hair falling on my forehead.
I smiled as I tilted my head to look at him better. My eyes didn't want to open much more than tiny slits, but I could see him well enough to know he was smiling at me.
He shook his head, then tapped my shoulder. "None of that cuteness. It's time for you to wake up. I told you I'd let you get a power nap, not sleep the day away."
I stretched my arms up and the blanket slid down my body, revealing the way my shirt had ridden up.
I would have normally reached down to cover myself quickly, but the heat in Simon's gaze made me pause. I liked that expression. I liked knowing that what he saw pleased him.
The only problem with enjoying it was my cock's response. I could feel the way it was rising to attention.
I jackknifed up to block it and almost headbutted Simon for it. He shifted out of the way in time and chuckled.
"You remind me of that game, Don't Wake Daddy," he said.
My cheeks had to have been the color of tomatoes because while I'm sure the game reference was innocent enough, it had the word "Daddy" in it. And hearing Simon say it was breathtaking.
I wanted to hear him call himself Daddy. Hell, I wanted to call him Daddy.
In general, I needed to avoid any thoughts of it because I was going to slip up if I wasn't careful.
"What do you want to do next?" Simon asked as he looked from me toward the window that was still closed. He stood and opened the blinds, letting the light of the day peek in.
As he stood there, I took in his handsome frame. He was so big and strong looking. I could have watched him all day do nothing—just looking out that window was enough.
"I don't know," I mumbled, embarrassed by my runaway thoughts.
He turned to me and smiled. "You don't have to know. Maybe today is about having fun."
I bit my lip. Fun, I thought. When was the last time I had fun that wasn't a market day? Scheduling those in was hard enough. But to take this big break like I was—yeah, it was a big deal.
Simon came back over to the bed and dropped to his knees. My eyes widened, not only because it was something I didn't expect, but also because of how close it brought him to me.
His hands took mine and he held them as his thumbs stroked across the tops. I melted under the sweet touch.
"Why don't you get dressed in something warm and then we can go walk around to see everyone? It will do you good to get some fresh air, and I'm sure the guys are curious about you and how you're doing."
With my words stuck in my throat, I nodded. It was easier that way. I wouldn't slip up and call him Daddy, nor would I beg him to take care of me.
But as fate would have it, I didn't have to ask for anything.
Simon pressed a kiss to the top of each hand and then stood so quickly I feared I'd dreamt the entire interaction.
After he went around the bed to the closet and opened it up, I could hear him shuffling hangers around as I sat still. If I moved, things could change. If this was a dream, I wanted to stay as long as possible.
A minute later, Simon stepped out holding up some jeans and a flannel button-down. "Why don't you put this on? I'll take what you've got and wash it. Then you can get ready without me hovering. Once you're dressed, we'll head downstairs and I'll walk you around a bit."
I dipped my head to the side. "You make me sound like a pet. 'You have to walk me around.'"
His jaw dropped, and he sputtered like he wanted to refute my words. His expression made me laugh—all loud and full-bodied. The shock he wore transformed before me. He smirked, and I was sucked in. The laugh cut off abruptly because I couldn't even breathe with how handsome he looked.
"You are trouble, aren't you?" he said.
I shook my head. "I have never been accused of being trouble."
He hummed but didn't go further. Instead, he walked toward the door and stood there for a minute, just staring at me.
I returned the look. If he was trying to communicate with me silently, I couldn't pick up what he was saying. But my own thoughts were rapid and insistent.
