Big Daddy Sheriff (Big Cedar Daddies #1)

Chapter 12

CHAPTER TWELVE

The Littles played for over an hour.

By the time Alyssa followed Quinn back to his house, it was nearly nine o’clock.

“You stayed up later than I thought you would,” he said.

“I was having so much fun. Do you know how often I’ve dreamed of something like this?”

“I’m glad you’re having a good time.”

“I just wish it was under better circumstances,” Alyssa said with a heavy sigh. She thought it over for a moment and then added, “But you know, tonight was the first time in a long time that I didn’t look over my shoulder, constantly worried Lana Foster and her minions were lurking around.”

Quinn stepped closer. “You’re safe here. I won’t let anything happen to you.”

“Thank you. But I know I’m not your responsibility. I’m?—”

“A guest in my home. That makes you my responsibility. Besides, you’re an… eh, we’ll say unaccompanied Little . I’m a Daddy. It just makes sense that you’re under my care until you find a Daddy of your own.”

Neither one felt it was time to address the elephant in the room. But both were thinking the same thing: Tonight just felt right. Being together seemed so normal.

“I better get to bed,” Alyssa said. “I need a shower first.”

“I’ll give you some privacy. Just let me know if you need anything. It doesn’t matter what time it is. If I’m asleep, just wake me up.”

“Thank you, Quinn. For everything,” she said.

They hugged—not overly affectionate but not exactly casual, either—before parting ways, each going to their respective bedrooms.

For now, at least.

Alyssa awoke with a start.

She sat up abruptly to find she was covered in a cold sweat. She reached desperately for her phone, but her fingers only found emptiness on the side of the bed where her nightstand usually was. In a panic, she grappled in the darkness some more until she realized where she was.

Quinn’s house.

A sense of calm washed over her.

The dream had been vivid. So vivid, in fact, that she’d mistaken it for reality.

She drew a deep breath, exhaled, then reached where the nightstand actually was. She found her phone and checked the time. It was just past one in the morning.

With a heavy sigh, she laid down and closed her eyes. She stayed that way for twenty agonizing minutes, yet sleep never came. Alyssa tossed and turned. At one point, she even kicked the covers off.

Nothing worked.

She knew what she needed. Or rather who she needed.

Had Quinn truly meant it when he said to wake him regardless of the time?

She felt foolish for needing him. But maybe he would drive the nightmares away. Perhaps in his arms she’d no longer dream of Lana and the awful fate that awaited if she ever found her.

In Quinn’s arms? Listen to yourself, Alyssa. Do you expect him to just hold you all night? He doesn’t think of you that way. Sure, maybe he’s entertained the notion. But it’s only because you’re around. He’s a Daddy in search of a Little and you happen to be convenient. He doesn’t want the fat girl, though. No Daddy does.

She tried another five minutes to fall asleep on her own, but now the self-consciousness and doubt mixed with the fear to form a nearly overwhelming wave of anxiety. It threatened to sweep her away into an abyss of hopelessness.

She hurried from the guest bedroom, across the living room, and straight to Quinn’s bedside.

He must have sensed her presence because he said, “What’s wrong?”

He was up quickly.

“I, uh… I’m scared!” she cried.

Her shoulders shook violently as she burst into uncontrolled tears.

“Honey,” Quinn said softly. “You’re safe here. Come on. Uncle Quinn’s got you.”

He put his arms around her and reeled her close. She couldn’t explain how it happened, but the moment her cheek was resting against his strong chest, she felt safe. Everything else just melted away.

As she lay nestled closely against him, she drifted off to sleep in a matter of moments.

It was the sweetest sleep of her life.