“I’m sorry. I should have never left. I knew you wouldn’t be able to sleep alone.” Brendan sighs.
“I couldn’t.” I pout and nuzzle into Lex’s chest. He huffs what sounds like a laugh.
“Hey, that’s not funny. He’s suffered?—”
“Jesus, Bren, calm your tits,” I squeak when I get a light tap on my bottom. “Tits is a bad word?!” I whisper shout.
“Yes,” both men say.
“Ugh, anyway, and he wasn’t laughing at me. He was huffing in agreement that you shouldn’t have left me.”
He nods and huffs again.
“Alright, I’ll book the next flight out for you.”
“What, no!” I gasp.
“Absolutely not,” Lex hisses.
“I’m sorry, pixie, but I can’t come back yet. There’s still too much to take care of.”
“Brendan, stay and take care of things. I will protect Rory.”
“I’m beginning to wonder if he needs protection from you.”
“He’s safe with me.” Mmmm, I love when he uses his big Daddy voice. “Take care of your mother.”
Brendan sighs in resignation. “Don’t put him in any danger.”
“Never.” Daddy winks at me. “I’ll keep him safe.”
My heart melts, and I might be in love.
“I appreciate it, and Rory, call me if you need me.”
“Okay,” I answer but then ask, “Is Mom okay?” She might have let me go, but she’s still my mom.
“She’s struggling right now, but she’s going to be fine.”
“Will you…” I pause. Do I really want to open myself up to her rejection again? “Will you tell her I hope she feels better soon?” Lex rubs my back, and he gives me courage.
“Will do. Love you, pixie.”
“Love you.” I end the call, eager to get back to my breakfast with Daddy. But when I turn back to him, he’s grinning wide.
“Pixie?”
“Brendan called me a twink once, and it made us both gag, and I love pixies, so pixie. But you have to still call me rabbit,” I say sternly.
“What about boy?” He lowers me down.
“Oh, yes, I like that very much.” My words are a breathy sigh as my lips brush his skin.
19
LEX
The feel of Rory’s mouth on my chest is almost enough to be grateful for the fact that I’m lactating. Almost. It’s still an annoyance, but if I can have his hot mouth on me twice a day, I’ll never complain again.
