Page 37 of Double Daddies (Dirty Daddies Anthologies #8)

Chapter Twenty-Two

DD Estate, Dreamer’s Cove

Drake

As Elle’s breathing settled into the peaceful rhythm of sleep, Drake and Damian shared a look that spoke volumes. The intensity of what they had just experienced with Elle left them both raw and vulnerable, exposing their hearts in ways neither had anticipated.

“She did so well, Damian.” Drake pressed his lips to her forehead, his touch feather-light.

“I’m so proud of her.” The words caught in his throat, thick with emotion that he rarely allowed himself to show.

Yet beneath the tenderness, a shadow of uncertainty lingered in his mind.

The morning’s defiance still echoed in his mind, making the evening’s submission feel almost too perfect, too complete.

This sudden switch in Elle’s behavior gnawed at him.

Having spent his life reading people, survival instincts honed razor-sharp by years of solitude, Drake couldn’t silence the warning bells in his head.

The transformation from rebellious to a perfect Little had happened too smoothly, too quickly.

While his heart yearned to embrace this moment fully, his mind demanded caution.

Damian noticed the conflict in Drake’s expression.

“She’s amazing,” he said, his voice rough with emotion as he tenderly wiped away a bead of sweat from her temple.

“Our Little trusted us completely, Drake. How awesome is that?” His eyes shone with pure joy, unmarred by Drake’s reservations.

“You made the right choice, Drake. We’re truly lucky to have her as our Little. ”

Drake’s chest tightened. This was why he had to stay vigilant.

Not just for himself but for Damian. Sweet, loving Damian, who had crashed through Drake’s carefully constructed walls years ago with his unwavering affection and loyalty.

Before Damian, Drake had never known what it meant to be loved unconditionally, to be accepted despite his flaws and scars—not even parental love.

Damian had taught him that love wasn’t a weapon to be feared but a gift to be treasured.

“I’m not convinced she’s completely transitioned, Damian,” Drake said softly, squeezing his partner's shoulder. “It’s too soon. We need to be careful.” The words tasted bitter in his mouth, but he had to voice them. Protecting Damian’s heart was as natural as breathing to him.

“It’ll be fucking hard, but I’ll keep that in mind.”

In their minds, Elle was their perfect fit, the one who completed their dynamic duo and turned them into a triad that felt invincible.

A lifetime of emotional solitude had taught Drake the art of self-preservation.

From his earliest memories, he had been the one looking out for others, never allowing anyone close enough to look out for him.

Love had been a foreign concept until Damian broke through his defenses, showing him what it meant to be cherished, to be worthy of care.

Now, watching Elle sleep so peacefully, Drake felt the familiar war within himself.

His heart ached to chase this ultimate prize and the chance for a complete family with a love so pure, it could heal old wounds.

But the voice in his head, the one that had kept him alive all these years, whispered its concerns.

Who will protect your heart when it all falls apart?

Who will pick up the pieces if this perfect moment proves to be an illusion?

I've survived alone before , he reminded himself grimly. I'll survive again. But even as he thought it, he knew this time was different. This time, he wasn’t just risking his own heart; he was gambling with Damian’s as well. And that made everything infinitely more complicated.

“We need to take care of her like we would any Little. No special treatment just because she floored us tonight. She needs to know nothing has changed. There are still rules and expectations to fulfill.” Drake’s eyes glimmered with determination.

“Through it all, we need to make sure she knows how much she means to us.”

“That’ll be the easy part,” Damian agreed. “Let’s clean her up and get her to bed. She’s going to be sore when she wakes up.”

With the utmost care and tenderness, they set about cleaning Elle, using warm, damp cloths to soothe her sensitive areas before rubbing a healing gel inside her orifices.

They worked in synchronized silence and finished up by dressing Elle in a diaper and a dinosaur-covered onesie.

As they tucked her into her crib, she stirred slightly but didn’t wake up as she cuddled into her pillow, once again curling onto her side.

They exchanged another look with their smiles mirroring each other.

“Fuck, it’s too easy with her, isn’t it, Drake?”

“Yes, Damian. It sure is.” Drake leaned over and softly kissed her on the lips. “More than words can express.”

Damian nuzzled her neck. His voice was a low rumble in Drake’s ears. “You’re our world now, babygirl. We’ll always take care of you, always cherish you.”

Drake allowed himself one more moment of hope. Yes, he would pursue this dream of perfect love, but he would do so with eyes wide open, ready to protect both himself and Damian from any storms that might head their way.

Because that was what love meant. It wasn’t limited to tender moments and passionate encounters but the wisdom to know when to be cautious, when to protect, and when to trust.

Damian had taught him that. Now, it was up to Drake to put those lessons into practice, no matter how much his heart yearned to simply let go and believe.