Daddy’s Wild Girl (Montana Daddies #16)

Chapter 41

41

“ C ome on, baby. Let’s go.”

Bebe dropped her chocolate milk on the floor.

“Kent said I could help myself!” she cried.

“Easy, baby,” he soothed. “It’s fine.”

She put her hand on her chest. “You gave me a fright. I’ve been doing my hand exercises. Really!”

Corbin eyed her, unsure she was telling the truth, but decided to let it slide at the moment. He picked up the carton of milk, which hadn’t been opened, thankfully, and set it on the table.

“What’s wrong?” she asked.

“Nothing, darling girl. I thought you might want to leave early.”

“Really?” Her eyes lit up. His poor girl, she really was bored. “Come on.” He held out his hand, taking her hand gently. He hated that she was left with a reminder of what that bastard had done to her.

“Doc called me just before,” she said as they walked toward their home.

“He did? What did he say?” And why hadn’t he messaged Corbin first?

“My vitamin levels are a bit low, so I have to take some vitamins. He said he’s gonna send over some yummy gummy ones for me to take. And my iron is borderline.”

“So, looks like we’re having a spinach salad with dinner tonight.”

“Nuh-uh, you can’t ruin a great dinner like spag bol with spinach, Daddy!”

She paused and he quickly turned to her, worried about what he might see on her face. Or if he’d see nothing at all, meaning she was suppressing her emotions.

Her eyes were wide and she looked like she was on the verge of panicking. Corbin knew he had to calm her down quickly so he did the only thing he could think of and drew her against him, holding her tight.

“Breathe, baby. Just breathe. Everything is fine. I have you. There’s no reason to be upset.”

“But . . . but that’s just it.”

“What’s just it?” he asked.

“I didn’t feel panicked or upset or anything. I felt this surge of happiness. She so wants out.”

“Then let her out, baby. Take the leap. I promise, I’m here to catch you.”

She nodded. “I know you are. I know. It’s just such a relief, though I’m still scared I’ll become so dependent on you that I won’t be able to function on my own anymore.”

“We won’t let that happen and hey . . . that’s the good thing about living in this place.” He stepped a bit farther away from her so he could see her face. “People here wouldn’t let that happen, either. I know Clint is preoccupied at the moment, but that big bastard is the nosiest, most interfering man I’ve ever met in my life. He would never allow any woman to be abused in any way on his Ranch.”

“I don’t mean to imply that you would . . . I know you wouldn’t. I trust you. I do. It’s just . . . it’s me.”

“I know. But I’m here to protect you. Everyone else here at the Ranch will protect you. And there’s Hayes, too.”

“You’re right. You are. I just have to trust in you and myself. Because it hurts to keep holding back.”

He brushed her hair off her face, tucking it behind her ears. “I don’t want you hurting, darling girl. And I have something that might help.”

Instead of letting her walk, he picked her up and cradled her against his chest.

“What are you doing?”

“I’m carrying my baby. She looks tired.”

“I do?” she asked.

“Hmm, she might need a nap this afternoon.” And he might have a special way of waking her up.

When they reached the cabin, he carried her in and set her down on the couch. “Do you need to go potty, baby?”

Red filled her cheeks and she shook her head, looking away. He crouched and cupped the side of her face, turning her face back.

“Hey, precious girl. You don’t need to be embarrassed. I know you like to regress quite young, don’t you?”

She nodded.

“How young?”

“Um, I don’t know exactly. But I like the idea of bottles and pacifiers.”

“Diapers?” he asked.

“Maybe to wear when I’m napping. Not all the time.”

“Hmm, so maybe toddler age. Which means you would need Daddy’s help to go potty. Wouldn’t you?”

“I guess so.”

“And Daddy wants to help you with that, so there is no need to be embarrassed. Now, maybe I should show you what I got you. Wait here, hands over your eyes. No peeking.”

“Okay, Daddy.”

Satisfaction filled him. God, he loved hearing her call him Daddy.

Bebe wondered what he’d gotten her.

Excitement flooded her. She liked presents. Sometimes she felt guilty about how much she liked them. Did that mean she was materialistic?

“Hey, what’s wrong?” he asked.

How could he tell something was wrong? Sometimes it felt like he was a mind-reader.

“Do you think it’s awful that I like gifts? Does that make me materialistic? I mean, they don’t have to be expensive. I just like the surprise . . . I didn’t always get gifts as a kid. My parents would always forget my birthdays. And I think my dad’s personal assistant was the one who bought my Christmas presents. Because I never got anything I asked for.”

“Jesus, baby, you’re fucking killing me here.”

“Sorry,” she told him.

“And don’t apologize. I just . . . I’m sorry they were so terrible. I can promise I will never forget your birthday or what you ask for from Santa.”

She bit her lip at the idea of asking Santa directly. “I’ve never even sat on Santa’s lap.”

“Well, you can this year and every year after. Santa makes a special trip to Sanctuary.”

He did?

Oh, she was so looking forward to that!

“I hope I’m still here.”

He placed his hands over her fidgeting ones, drawing them to him, but she couldn’t look at anything but his serious face. “You will be. Because I want you to stay here. Forever.”

“Forever?” she asked.

“It might be too soon, but I don’t care. I love you Bluebelle Benner. You’re the best thing to ever happen to me. Every time I think of you, I smile. You light up my life in a way that hasn’t ever happened. I think ever since my dad died, I’ve been in a funk. I didn’t realize it, but I didn’t want to go anywhere or do anything. And now I want to experience life. With you by my side. It’s okay if you can’t say it back. I don’t want?—”

“I love you too!” she cried, throwing herself forward to wrap her arms around him. It’s why everything meant so much to her. Why she didn’t want to mess it up. Because losing him would devastate her. “So much.”

“Good. Then it’s agreed you’ll stay?”

“I will. But there’s the house in San Francisco.”

“Let’s not worry about that now. We can sort that out. Now, I’ve got gifts for you, and no, I don’t think it makes you materialistic to want them. It’s okay to enjoy someone doing something nice for you. Far as I’m concerned, you haven’t had enough of that so you should let me do it for you now. Without guilt.”

“Okay, Daddy.”

He kissed her lightly, then drew away.

Bebe gasped as she took in the things on the coffee table. There was a large kite with squirrels all over it, four tubs of slime in different colors. As well a toy tool kit in a pale yellow. Then there were the outfits. A white onesie with squirrels all over it and a dress made of the same material. A hat with a squirrel's face on it. Squirrel slippers. There was definitely a theme. There were also plastic plates, a baby bottle, and a pacifier.

“I found someone online who could create Little onesies and outfits as well as put decals on things like baby bottles. So I ordered all of this. The kite was actually the most difficult to find. What do you think? Do you like everything?”

“I love them, Daddy! Can I fly the kite? Oh, there’s no wind.”

“Not today, no. We’ll save that for another day. And I haven’t set up an area for your tools yet. How about the slime?”

“Yes, please! Shall I do it outside?”

“Why would you do it outside?” He gave her a puzzled look.

“Um, because I don’t want to make a mess.” She was trying really hard to be tidy.

His face softened. “Hey, it’s all right if you make a mess sometimes. You don’t always have to be tidy. All right?”

“But you like a clean, tidy space.”

“I do. But I don’t mind if you make a mess while having fun. This is your house too. I want you to feel relaxed. ”

Tears filled her eyes and she sniffled.

“That wasn’t supposed to make you sad.” He sat on the sofa and lifted her onto his lap so she was sitting sideways.

“Happy tears,” she whispered, burying her face in his neck.

“Ahh. I’m glad you’re happy. I still don’t like those tears, though. They can take a hike.”

She giggled at his words.

“Come on, let’s get messy.”

They ended up putting down a plastic mat on the coffee table and started playing with the slime. Some of it had pieces of colorful confetti in it while another tub was glow-in-the-dark.

“Ooh, it’s so sticky and gooey. Look, Daddy!” She held a big piece of green slime up and it plopped onto the mat. He wriggled his nose.

Daddy was not a fan of slime.

“It certainly is. I think you might need a bath after this. Pretty sure you’ve got slime in your hair.”

She giggled. “It’s so much fun. Splat!” She threw some down on the mat.

More! More!

Standing, she grabbed some slime and held it up.

“Don’t you dare,” Corbin warned.

“What?” she asked.

“Do not throw that, Bebe. Or you’re going to be in trouble.”

But she had to throw it. Didn’t he understand? She needed to see what would happen.

Splat! Oh my God! That was a big mess! It went off the mat and onto the floor. And onto Daddy’s jeans. And there was a bit on his arm too. He was looking up at her sternly.

Uh-oh.

She just might be in trouble here.

“Hmm. I didn’t know slime could fly that far.”

He wiped the bit off his jeans and arm. “Little girl, what did I say to you just before you threw that slime?”

“Um, that you love me. You should remember that.”

“I will never forget that,” he swore. “But you’re still in trouble for disobeying me.”

“What are you going to do, Daddy?” she asked nervously.

“Hmm, what do you think the punishment is for disobeying Daddy?”

She glanced at the corner of the room closest to her.

“Hey, no. Look at me. That will never happen,” he told her. “And absolutely no lines. But someone is getting her butt tapped.” He stood and reached out a hand to draw her to him. Then before she even realized what was happening, he had his foot up on the sofa and she was being tilted over his raised thigh.

Several hard, sharp smacks landed on her ass until it was stinging and she was gasping.

Then he stood her upright and drew her against him, holding her tight. She reached back and rubbed her bottom before glaring up at him.

“You spanked me!”

Corbin raised an eyebrow. “I popped your butt a few times, not sure I’d call it a real spanking.”

“But it hurt! It wasn’t like those other times when you smacked my bottom while we were, uh, you know . . . those times it made me hot. This . . . this hurt.” Her lower lip wobbled.

“It was meant to, baby girl. How else will you remember to do what Daddy says, huh? When I tell you to do or not do something, you have to listen to Daddy. Okay?”

She sighed. “If you say so, Daddy.”

“I do, precious girl. Now, we’re going to tidy up, get you in the bath, and then it’s time for a nap.”

“A nap? Why do I need a nap?”

“Because you have dark marks under your eyes and you look tired.”

“All lies, Daddy!”

“Lies?” He raised an eyebrow. “I don’t think so. Come on, you put the slime away while Daddy runs you a bath.”

“I don’t think Little girls tidy up, Daddy. I think that’s a rule or something.”

“No, Little girls definitely do tidy up. Especially when their Daddy tells them to.” He raised an eyebrow at her.

She sighed. “Fine, I get it. Do what Daddy says.”

“Good girl.”

An hour later, he dried her off after her bath. He’d even found some bubblebath. And she’d managed to get bubbles all over the floor.

Oops.

It wasn’t like she’d meant to do it.

It had just happened.

“Now, do you need to go potty?”

She shook her head.

“Are you sure?” he asked.

“I’m sure, Daddy.”

He wrapped a dry towel around her, he picked her up and carried her into the bedroom.

“Daddy, shouldn’t I clean up?” she asked.

Not that she wanted to clean the bathroom, but anything to delay her nap.

“No, Daddy will clean it up,” he told her as he laid her on the bed and pulled off the towel, leaving her naked. “I don’t want you to slip over.”

He pulled open one of the drawers and drew out a pretty white nightgown she’d never seen before. It was lacy across the top and the bottom hem. He slid it over her head.

“Where did this come from, Daddy?” she asked.

It felt so nice and soft.

“I bought it for you. I thought you’d look cute in it. And you do.” He leaned over her and kissed her.

“Hmm, come to bed with me?” Now, that was the sort of nap she could get into.

“No, sorry, I have to get dinner ready. And I have a few other things to do, but I’ll wake you in plenty of time for dinner.”

“I won’t sleep, Daddy. I’m not good at sleeping at night, what makes you think I can do it during the day?”

“We’ll see. I’m going to go get your bottle, you stay here.” He moved the covers back and rolled her under them. Then he tucked her in and left. She heard him in the kitchen. She couldn’t believe he was going to feed her a bottle! No one had ever given her a bottle, but it was something she’d dreamed about for a long time.

When he returned, he had some milk in her new bottle as well as her pacifier.

“Do you want the blanket from your box?” he asked.

She nodded, unable to speak anymore. A mix of excitement and nerves held her tongue. Corbin grabbed her blanket and she took it, burying her face in it.

God, how she’d missed her blankie. Seemed so crazy when it had always been close by and she could have accessed it at any time.

After she pulled the blanket off her face, Corbin sat next to her and drew her onto his lap, resting her back against his arm. Then he placed the nipple of the bottle against her lips.

With a sigh, she opened her mouth and started sucking.

It was magical.

A feeling of calm, of rightness, came over her. Before she knew it, her eyes were closing and she was falling asleep.

“Good girl. That’s Daddy’s very good girl.” The pacifier replaced the nipple of the bottle. “Go to sleep now, be a good girl for Daddy.”

It was impossible.

There was no way.

Not . . . possible . . .

Corbin watched his girl sleep.

There were other things he should be doing. Like researching the asshole. Or looking into Barb closer. Or making dinner and tidying up.

But he’d just sit here a while longer and watch her . . . and marvel that he might just be the luckiest bastard in the world to have her love him.