Page 11 of Amelia's Daddy
I nod. “Yes, Sir.”
He grins. “I know I’ve never given you a single indication that I could ever want more with you, but that’s only because I hid my feelings so well. And now…”
I sit stiffly on his lap.
He slides his palm up my back and picks up my hand with his other one. He brings my fingers to his lips and kisses my knuckles. “I have to leave in one week.”
I blink. “Oh.” All the air seems to leave my lungs. He’s leaving, and it’s my fault that I didn’t get to know him better because I didn’t go to the club for two months. It’s sheer luck that we happened to run into each other the other day.
I also realize that if I had hesitated much longer in texting him, I would have lost even this opportunity.
“I’m going to go out on a limb here and make a very bold move.”
I cock my head to one side.
“Go with me.”
My eyes widen.
He smiles. “You heard me. Go with me to the island next week. If it’s too scary to give up your job so abruptly, take vacation time. Take two weeks. Go with me and see what you think. If you hate it, you can always come back.”
The room is spinning. Did Noah just ask me to go to the island with him? Next week?
He gives my waist a squeeze. “Say something, Amelia.” He grins.
“I, uh, I’m trying to make sure I understand what you’re suggesting.”
“I’m suggesting that you give me a chance to be your Daddy. I know it’s sudden and you’re trying to catch up, but I’ve wanted such an opportunity with you for a long time.”
“You have?”
“Yep.”
Go to the island… With Noah…
I lick my lips. Nothing has ever sounded more inviting in my life. It’s scary, but…is he serious? “You barely know me.”
He shrugs. “So, I’ll get to know you more every day. What do we have to lose? My gut tells me we’re compatible and could grow into a relationship that will last a lifetime, but if I’m wrong, what will we have lost?”
I chew on my bottom lip. He’s right about that part. Even if I quit my job entirely, I could always get another waitressing job. I don’t have any current clients waiting for a mural, and he seems to think I could get some new clients on the island.
“I might not be able to make enough money at first to help pay my part of the rent,” I point out.
He shakes his head. “I wouldn’t want you to work at all for a while, Little one. You’ll need to focus on finding your inner infant and making sure she’s right for you. If you decide to stay with me, we’ll figure out together how much you’d like to work. I’m sure lots of Daddies and Mommies would be excited to hire you to paint. But Amelia, working will never be something you’ll do in order to pay your part of anything. You’ll be my Little girl to take care of. I don’t need a second income. You’d save your money for the future.”
My mind is reeling. I can’t fully process all this.
He pulls me closer and sets his lips on my neck. “Take a chance, Little one.”
I chew on my bottom lip. I’ve never heard a more appealing offer in my life. It’s scary. Am I even awake? Maybe I’mdreaming, and I’m going to wake up and find myself alone, having imagined all of this.
I look around my special room. “What would happen to my apartment?”
“I’ll pay the rent on it for a while until you’re sure you want to stay with me.” His hand slides up to my neck.
“I could take some of my things?”
“Yep. We could pack up whatever is important to you. Keep in mind, you won’t need clothes. We’d keep all your pretty dresses here on the mainland for when we visit.”