Page 1 of Soldier Daddy’s Naughty Little

CHAPTER ONE

Vanessa

It still all felt like a dream. I squeezed Daddy's hands from across the table, only far too happy to have him back home with me. I ignored the funny faces my best friend and half roommate, Cheryl, made at me from the other end of the small round table we were eating on.

When my Daddy, Oscar told me he had to leave for yet another assignment with the Marines, I honestly did not expect he would be back that soon. Soon or not, I had missed him terribly and it was inexplicable, the utter joy I felt on having him back with me.

“…she kept talking about you and how much she wanted me to meet you eventually, but I had no idea when I was going to meet this dreamy guy she kept on yapping about,” Cheryl went on excitedly, the twinkle in her blue eyes very evident. Hearing Oscar laugh at Cheryl’s comment stung, somewhat. What was this uneasy feeling that was tugging at my chest? Was it jealousy?

Oscar’s striking features seemed to glow as he laughed and it irked me so much that I was not the cause of his face lighting up that way. I observed the bowl containing the gravy was nearly empty and thought it to be the best excuse to get my emotions together and not act weird just because my best friend and Daddy were getting along.

I dramatically pulled the white ceramic bowl closer and peered inside. “Wow, we’re almost out of the gravy. I don’t know if anyone would like seconds. I could certainly do with another plate. Excuse me!” I chirped as sweetly as I could, then went to the kitchen, my irritation nearly causing me to crack the poor bowl from the sheer force with which I was gripping it.

I began angrily scooping gravy from the pot into the bowl, barely able to rein in the anger that was welling up within me. I was only able to get calm when I remembered it was Cheryl. She’d never do something as underhanded as to flirt with Oscar.

I’m probably just overreacting. I began to feel rather silly for what I just did. My tongue found a piece of meatloaf lodged in my teeth and then, I thought to take extra slices of meatloaf back with me, alongside the half-full bowl of gravy.

I did not miss the slightly worried look that crossed his face as he saw me step into the room. Without being asked, I started explaining, “I just thought to bring more gravy and meatloaf. You two seem to like it very much.”

Cheryl glared at me then replied sarcastically, “Why, that is so sweet of you.”

Oscar looked from me to Cheryl, rather confused but realized a lot of unspoken conversation was going on. He cleared his throat. “Um, I think I’d have to be in my way now. It’s getting a bit late,” he said and made to stand up.

Cheryl cut in. “No, no. You have to keep her company for a bit. I have to leave now. Just realized I have another engagement and I had totally lost track of time.”

Cheryl? An engagement? By seven pm? I knew her leaving had more to do with the fact that she sensed my jealousy and felt uncomfortable. I did not say a word till she slipped out the front door. I felt terrible and sighed. I’d just text her later.

Oscar

Vanessa seemed so excited earlier to see me but I slowly felt her withdraw and go quiet. Strangely quiet. Not like she was talkative normally but her progressive silence was just weird. I tried carrying her along in the conversation but she did not seem very interested.

I could just ask her what happened later on. Or did I say something? She can’t be jealous, can she? She shouldn’t be. There’s absolutely no reason for her to be anyway. I’m probably just overthinking again.

This Cheryl lady is quite a lively one, I must admit. Easy on the eyes too, but nowhere near my precious Little, of course. She seemed well versed in matters of politics and societal norms. From our brief chat, I learned she is based in Chicago and does interior decoration as a side hustle.

The feisty brunette made for an excellent gist buddy and it was little wonder she and Vanessa were such tight friends. If they are such good friends, then what was that weird exchange I sensed between them earlier?

It hurt my head just thinking about it. I watched Vanessa sink into a chair, a world-weary expression etched on her beautiful face. I began clearing the table, stacking our dishes to go wash them in the kitchen.

“What are you doing, Oscar?”

I didn’t look at her or meet her gaze. For some reason, a wave of slow sizzling anger began to gather I made my way to the kitchen, carefully bearing the plates Cheryl and I used. I intentionally did not respond to her question.

I began washing up the dishes and pretended not to notice when she crept in and came to hug me from behind, wrapping her arms around my waist. Her feminine vanilla scent filled my nostrils, evoking a primal desire within me.

“Daddy…”

That sweet voice nearly weakened my resolve but I had to be firm with her. The attitude she was putting up earlier just wasn’t nice at all.

“Don’t Daddy me, Vanessa. You know what you did.”

“What did I do, really?” she murmured into my back, her warm breath sending small shocks along my spine. I closed my eyes, trying to recalibrate my thinking and be present. Just having Vanessa this close to me, alone, was doing things to my mind and body and it was getting increasingly difficult to ignore the stiffening that was going on in my jeans.

Then was hardly the time to be getting a boner and have my mind drifting off. Vanessa clearly acted out earlier and I needed to know why that was.

CHAPTER TWO

Oscar