Page 2

Bash

“I’m so sorry,” Allyson sobbed again.

I helped her from my truck and started leading her into the house.

“Honey, it’s okay. You couldn’t help it. It was an accident and I’ll never be upset with you for having an accident. Besides, do you know how much Smoke drinks? It’s not the first time I’ve had someone puke in my truck,” I teased, earning a teary grin.

She looked so small standing there in her sports bra and leggings. We’d tossed her shirt in the garbage and cleaned her up the best we could with some wipes before dropping Eloise off and driving to my house.

“There’s a sweet smile.” I punched in the code to the door and guided her inside.

“Y-your house is really nice,” she said. It sounded very practiced and I hated she felt like she needed to be polite and polished around me. I knew a bit of her past, but foster care came with so much trauma that I’m sure I couldn’t even scratch the surface of what she’d dealt with.

“Thank you, Allyson. I am proud of it. I grew up in foster care too and buying my own home felt wonderful after never having a permanent home as a teenager.”

She didn’t need to know the unethical ways I’d earned the money to purchase my home. Well, not right now anyway. If she decided to let me be her Daddy, I’d tell her the truth. I didn’t believe in dishonesty in any relationship.

“Y-you were in foster care too?” she asked, trembling. Poor baby was so sick.

“I was. We can talk about it when you’re feeling all better. For now let’s get you upstairs and into the bath, yeah?” I tried to lead her up the stairs, but she tugged her hand free and planted her feet on the hardwood floor. I turned back to look at her. Was she scared? Maybe I needed to let her go up alone.

“No, I can just hose off in the back. I don’t want to get your bathroom dirty.”

Hose off in the back? Like an animal? “No, Little girl. You absolutely will not. You will take a warm shower upstairs and I will bring you some cozy clothes to put on. Then I’m going to tuck you into my bed and pamper you until you feel all better.”

Her lip trembled and more tears rolled down her face. I instantly regretted my firm tone. Perhaps softer-spoken words would work better on her. Because of her past, I might need to be extra gentle.

“Honey, don’t cry. It breaks my heart when you’re upset. I’m not angry with you. It just shocked me that you feel like you’d be better to just rinse off in the backyard with cold water—like some kind of animal.”

“I don’t w-want to get your house d-dirty,” she cried. “You’ve already had to do so much for me today.”

“Honey.” I tried to reason, but she shook her head.

“I already m-made you l-leave work, reschedule a client, and I t-threw up in your truck. N-now I’m in your house and I’m g-gross.” A shiver wracked her body and she wrapped her arms around herself.

I reached down and lifted her into my arms before carrying her across the living room and climbing the stairs. “First of all, you didn’t make me do anything. I left because I was worried about you and wanted to see you. You didn’t make me reschedule a client either. That was also my choice. I didn’t want you to be by yourself when you weren’t feeling good. I care about you, honey. More than just as a friend. I’ve had feelings for you since the first night I met you. Did you know I used to only work three days a week at Daddies Ink?”

Her pretty green eyes went wide, nearly doubling in size and she shook her head before laying it against my chest. Heat from her body radiated through my shirt and I made a mental note to ask Elliot if it would be okay to give her something to bring her fever down even though she was vomiting.

“I did. Only three days a week, but then Blade and Leland hired you and my off days became my least favorite days. I started adding more clients just so I could see you more. I’m not telling you any of this to pressure you. You’ve been through so much and you’re just now getting your first real taste of freedom. But I am telling you because I want you to understand how much I wanted to do those things for you. You’re keeping track of all of the things I’ve done today, but friendships don’t require tallys, honey. They’re not a tit-for-tat type of thing.”

“I’m scared I’ll be a burden and you and the others won’t want me around anymore. I just met you all, but my life would be so sad without you guys in it,” she admitted.

I admired her bravery to express such a vulnerability to me. “Oh, that’s a big burden for a Little girl,” I said, “and it’s one you don’t need to carry. We love you, Little one. We’ve invited you into our lives to stay. You could never be a burden to us.”

Her body relaxed the tiniest bit in my arms and I felt triumphant. I didn’t doubt this was something we would need to talk about often, and perhaps seek counseling for, but I was happy she trusted my words for a moment, even if it might be fleeting.

“I enjoy taking care of Littles. It doesn’t matter if they're mine or not. Being a Daddy is in my DNA. Let me take care of you until you’re feeling better, please? When you are well, I’ll take you back to the shelter or wherever you want to go. No strings attached,” I said, even though the thought of letting her go back to the shelter made me queasy.

“It would make you happy?” she questioned. Her eyes were hopeful. She was so eager to please.

“Very happy,” I promised, pushing open the bathroom door with my foot and gently settling her on the ground.

“And you want to take care of me until I’m better? Like really? Not just because you feel bad for me or because you feel obligated?”

“I want to take care of you because I adore you. I don’t feel obligated to do anything, Little one.”

She bit her lip and rolled it around between her teeth while she thought over what I’d said. Reaching up, I freed it before she hurt herself. I would never understand why women always bit their lips when they were nervous. Wasn’t there a less destructive thing they could do that didn’t make me worry about them biting a hole in a body part? Maybe yoga? Wasn’t that a safe hobby?

“Okay. I would be really thankful for your help,” she finally admitted. I felt like her answer was a bit forced and once again far too polite, but at least we were breaking some ground.

***

Allyson

After a heavenly shower, I was tucked into Bash’s bed, wearing his clothes. Both smelled like him and the sheets were so soft. I snuggled down beneath the covers and tried to stop my shivering. I’d already had the chills, but after my shower they were worse. My head also felt like it was stuffed with cotton.

“Hey, darlin’. I called Elliot and he said it would be okay to give you a few sips of ginger ale and some fever reducer if you thought you might be able to keep it down.” He carried a can of soda with a silly bendy straw and a bottle of medication in his hands.

“I t-think I can.” My teeth chattered together when I spoke.

“Poor baby, when the fever breaks you’ll feel so much better.”

I sat back up and he handed me the can before filling a syringe with orange liquid.

“Do you like the orange or the grape fever reducer better? I can pick up a different one later,” he said, holding the syringe up to my mouth. I tried to grab it, but he pulled his hand back. “Let me help, okay?”

I nodded and he held it up to my lips. I opened my mouth and then swallowed the medicine once he pushed the plunger.

“Good girl,” he praised, making my tummy flip around.

“I’ve only taken the pills so I don’t know which one I like better,” I answered. I definitely liked the liquid better. The orange was pretty yummy.

“Well, we’ll just have to get both so you can try them.”

I took a few sips of the ginger ale he held for me.

He reached in his pocket and pulled out a thermometer. “This one rolls across your forehead,” he explained, turning it on and taking my temp. “I’ll be honest, though, this isn’t my favorite way to take a Little girl’s temperature and this will probably be the only time I use this one.”

“102.7. You are a very sick baby,” he said, studying the display with a frown. “Let me help you lay back down.” He tucked me back under the covers and rubbed my legs gently.

“What’s your favorite way?” I asked, even though I was pretty sure I already knew.

He grinned. “Your booty. It’s the most accurate.”

I averted my gaze and pulled the covers up higher.

He chuckled and pulled them down a bit, probably so he could see my face. “I would never do anything without your consent, baby.”

I nodded. “I know. I was just embarrassed. Not scared.”

“Embarrassed?”

“Yeah, you’d see my butt.”

“Would seeing my butt make you feel better? It’s not as cute as yours, but if you’re feeling unsure,” he said, standing up and fumbling with his belt buckle. His grin was big and infectious and not for the first time I noticed how attractive he was.

I giggled and pulled the covers all the way over my face. “No! I’m okay! I’m okay!”

“Do you need anything right now? I imagine you're not hungry, but do you want me to put on a movie for you?” he asked, sitting back down on the bed.

“Can I have another blanket, if it’s not too much trouble?”

“Of course you can, Allyson. Nothing you ask for is going to be too much trouble, okay?”

I nodded. His words were so nice, I just hoped they were true. I was still so scared I’d be too much for him.

He stood, grabbed a blanket from the closet, and covered me with it. I was still shivering, so I snuggled deeper under the covers again. My eyes were heavy and my body hurt so badly.

“Why don’t you try and take a nap, baby? Elliot will be here soon and we’ll have you feeling all better in no time,” Bash soothed, rubbing my legs again. The pressure actually helped them not ache so badly.

“H-how do I pay Elliot? I have my debit card, but I don’t have any checks or cash,” I asked, not opening my eyes.

“You don’t worry about that, okay? That’s part of the Daddy Bash package you’ve temporarily subscribed to.”

His words were silly and I decided he was too. He pressed a gentle kiss to my head and that was the last thing my tired brain processed before I fell asleep.

***

“Hey, sweet baby.” Bash spoke softly as he sat on the bed beside me. He rubbed my belly and I struggled to open my eyes. I was so hot and I tried to kick off the covers. Bash must have helped because suddenly the weight was gone. The cool air felt nice. “Her fever’s broken,” he told someone.

Finally I was able to pry my eyes open and immediately noticed Bash’s furrowed brow. He was really worried about me and that made me feel like I mattered, like I had value.

“Hey, baby, Elliot is here,” he said.

I pushed up on my elbow and Bash slid his hand under my back and helped me sit up.

“Hey, sweet girl. I heard you’re not feeling so well,” a man I didn’t recognise but knew had to be Elliot said from the end of the bed. He was large and broad with brown hair. I was starting to think there was a height requirement for the Daddies in this group. They were all so tall. He set his bag on the end of the bed and grabbed a light and stethoscope out.

“I have a fever and my body hurts,” I admitted.

“Yeah? For how long?”

“The fever started early this morning, maybe five-ish, but my body and head started hurting yesterday afternoon.”

I felt Bash shift beside me and I looked up at him. He was studying me with concern.

“You worked yesterday, Allyson. Why didn’t you tell us you didn’t feel well?”

“I’m sorry. I wasn’t trying to keep it from anyone. I just thought I was tired.” Oh no. Was he mad?

He bent and met my eye. “I’m sorry I didn’t notice, honey.”

Why was he apologizing? It wasn’t his fault.

“Can I check your lungs, Allyson?” Elliot asked, distracting me.

I nodded.

“Bash, move your ass. You’re in my way.”

Bash grumbled, but did as he asked. “Take some breaths for me, honey.”

I did and Elliot listened to my front and back. “Have you been coughing?”

“No, Mr. Elliot.”

“Oh, what good manners,” he praised. “I’m going to feel your neck now, okay?”

I nodded. His large hands came up and cupped my neck, pressing the glands in my neck. I winced when it started to hurt.

Bash grumbled when I winced. “Be fucking careful, Elliot.”

“Is it sore there?” Elliot asked, ignoring him.

“Yes,Sir.”

He flicked on the flashlight. “I’m going to check your ears and throat now.”

He looked in my ears first and then my throat. “Your throat is a bit red. Does it hurt?”

I shook my head. “No, Sir, Mr. Elliot.”

“That’s good then. I’m pretty sure I know what germies you caught, Little girl,” he said.

Whatever it was, I hoped it would be all better by the next day so I could go back to work.