Page 35 of Daddy’s Muse (Bloody Desires #12)

Colby

One Year Later

I thought Pappa was joking when he told me to close my eyes and keep them closed, but the way his big hand rested firm at the small of my back made me obey without question. As we made our way down the hall, I couldn’t help the grin that tugged at my lips.

“Pappa, what are you doing? Why are we upstairs?” I asked, trying not to peek.

“You’ll see, kaninen min,” he murmured, voice thick with that quiet excitement he usually kept so tightly under control. “Just a few more steps.”

He guided me to a stop. My toes curled against the floor, and I felt the warmth of his chest at my back as his strong arm slipped around my waist.

“Ready?” he whispered against my ear.

I nodded, breath caught in my throat.

His hand left me only long enough to push a door open. Then, with one gentle brush of his fingers over my eyes, he said, “Look.”

I blinked, and the air rushed right out of me.

The room was… magical.

The walls were painted in soft, snowy whites and pale blues, dotted with tall, shadowy trees that seemed to stretch into the ceiling.

Tiny fairy lights twinkled like distant stars threaded through the painted branches.

A thick rug, the color of fresh snow, covered the floor, with plush woodland animals scattered across it—a fox, a deer, a hedgehog, and an owl.

In the corner, a little tent made of white canvas glowed from within, lined with soft pillows and blankets.

And along the back wall sat a toy chest painted with frosted pine trees, its lid propped open to reveal neatly stacked blocks, cars, and coloring books.

It felt like stepping into a storybook winter forest.

A place just for me.

My hands flew up to my face, but it was no use—the tears welled too fast. “ Pappa …” My voice cracked.

He wrapped me up before the sobs could even begin to fall, his arms strong and steady around me. His lips pressed to the top of my head. “Do you like it?”

“I—” I sniffled hard, clutching his shirt like I might fall without it. “ I love it. I love it so much!”

He rocked us gently, kissing my cheek. “Good. Then it’s perfect—you deserve perfect.”

I laughed through the welled-up tears, burying myself deeper into him.

For a long time, I’d wondered if the heaviness in my chest would ever ease, if I’d ever feel safe enough to really let go. But standing there in Pappa’s arms, surrounded by a room built just for the littlest, most vulnerable parts of me, I knew the answer.

I was safe, and I was eternally his.

And I believed that without a doubt.

I didn’t even realize I was slipping until the tears were already falling and my reddened eyes darted between the toys, the twinkly lights, and the way the tent looked like a secret hideaway made just for me.

My chest hiccupped, and I heard the sound that gave me away—a tiny, high little giggle I couldn’t swallow back.

Pappa’s arms tightened. He knew. He always knew.

“You wanna see inside the tent, lille prinsen?” he asked, his voice gone soft and playful.

I nodded fast, already tugging his hand towards it.

Pappa ducked down first, holding the flap wide open so I could crawl inside.

The pillows were piled high, soft and fluffy like snowdrifts, and I immediately plopped onto my knees in the middle.

My fingers sank into a plush arctic wolf that seemed to smile up at me, and I hugged it tight to my chest.

Pappa followed, settling his big frame down with careful slowness so the whole thing didn’t collapse. Once he was in, he reached for me, pulling me back against him so I sat nestled between his legs, warm and safe in his lap.

“You really like it, sweetheart?” he murmured, brushing my hair back from my face.

“Yes, Pappa,” I whispered, nuzzling into the stuffie’s fuzzy ears. “I love it. I love it so, so, so much! I’m going to live in here for the rest of my life!”

Pappa laughed fondly and handed me a set of little wooden blocks from the toy chest he’d pulled close. I started stacking them, clumsy but focused, while he steadied my hands when they wobbled.

“Lookie, Pappa,” I said proudly when I managed three high.

“Good job, baby.” He kissed my temple, his gaze adoring and proud, like my little tower was the best thing he’d ever seen.

I hugged the wolf tighter, leaning back into my Pappa with a contented sigh.

“What’s his name?” Pappa asked kindly.

“Hmm,” I hummed, tilting my head and narrowing my eyes at the stuffie. “He looks like a Frank.”

Pappa chuckled from behind me, an amused grin on his face. “Nice to meet you, Frank.”

I giggled, wiggling my butt as I helped introduce Frank to Pappa. “Frank, this is Pappa. He’s the bestest Daddy in the whole wide world—yes, seriously!”

Pappa’s arms curled around me, sure and unshakable. “Thank you for the compliment, sweetheart.”

“Silly Pappa! It’s just the truth,” I proclaimed.

Frank got a big smooch on his cute, fuzzy nose before I hugged him close again. My cheeks hurt from grinning so hard, but I didn’t care. I was too full of love, of happiness, of safety.

Pappa’s big hand rubbed slow circles over my tummy, the motion so soothing I almost melted right into him. “Do you want me to read you a story in here, lille prinsen?” he asked.

My eyes went wide, darting toward the little shelf I’d just noticed tucked inside the tent, stacked with picture books. “There’s books, too?”

“Mhm.” His voice rumbled against my back. “Picked out all your favorites. And some new ones.”

I squealed, bouncing a little in his lap, which made him laugh with unbridled joy. He plucked one from the shelf— The Hat , with its beautiful illustrated cover—and held it where I could see.

“Storytime with Pappa,” I whispered, hugging Frank and wriggling until I was curled up sideways against his chest. He opened the book, his deep voice gentle and steady as he began to read.

I traced the pictures with my finger, following along and sometimes interrupting to point out something. “That’s me, Pappa, look! I like snow too.”

He pressed a kiss to the top of my head. “Yes, baby. That’s you.”

By the time the book was finished, my body felt loose and floaty, my eyes heavy from the warmth of him and the soft glow of the lights.

“Pappa?” I mumbled sleepily, nuzzling under his chin.

“Yes, sweetheart?”

“Thank you. For my room. For… everything.” My voice cracked on the last word.

His arms tightened, cocooning me. “There’s nothing in this world I wouldn’t do for you, Colby. You’re my heart.”

I sighed, clutching Frank closer, letting Pappa’s words settle deep into me.

Sitting in my tent with my stuffie and my Pappa, I didn’t feel scared at all.

I felt home.

No.

I was home.