His hand curves around my jaw, tilting my face up to him. "I know you, baby girl," he murmurs. "I didn't know exactly what kind of pain you were hiding behind your silence, but I could see it in you. I didn't want her overwhelming you."
"I don't deserve you."
His eyes narrow on me, a growl rumbling in his throat. "You're right. You deserve far better than me, Sarah. But you made me your daddy, and that makes you mine now. There's no taking that back."
"I don't want to take it back."
"Good." He kisses me hard on the mouth. "Because it's not happening."
I smile up at him, pretty sure I have stars in my eyes. "We should probably talk to Olive, though. I want to make sure everything is out in the open."
"Everything?" He arches a brow.
"Most things," I quickly amend. "I, um…I'd rather her not know that you're my daddy."
His lips curve into a grin. "You embarrassed, baby girl?"
"No!" I say quickly. "It's not that. It's just…it's private and special. It feels like it's just for us. I don't want to share it with anyone else."
"It is just for us," he murmurs. "I'm your daddy. You're my baby girl. We get to make the rules about what that looks like for us." He tips my head back, his eyes locking with mine. "And justso we're clear, you get to make rules here, too, baby. If you need something, you tell me. If you want something, it's yours."
"Okay," I agree.
"What's your first rule?"
"More of this," I say, cuddling up against his chest again. "I like the way you hold me."
He wraps his arms more tightly around me, his lips against my forehead. "I love it too."
I hum in response, falling silent for a moment, and then I sigh. "We should probably go talk to Olive soon. She could use some good news today."
"Yeah? Why is that?"
"She called the police on Mason's parrot last night. Now, she's planning to change her name and move to Europe."
"Jesus Christ." Jasper's body shakes with silent laughter. "What the fuck?"
"She really likes him."
"Obviously. What'd the parrot do?"
"It's a long story. Let's just say…she no longer thinks he's a serial killer, but the whole town is probably going to think she's lost her mind soon."
"Jesus Christ," he groans.
"This is a tame week for her."
"Oh, I'm well aware," he mutters, his tone dry. "It's about time she fell for someone. I'm ready to retire from managing her, too."
"I think you're getting your wish."
"Thank God."
I giggle, burrowing into him. "You love her."
"Like fucking crazy, but she threatened to murder me, then stop life support so she could steal all my shit the other day, so I'm going to enjoy her misery while it lasts."
I just laugh, peaceful in a way I've never been.
