Page 46 of Darius

“Little girls don’t wear bras, Zoí mou.”

“But….”

“Who’s in charge, Mara?”

“Daddy,” she whispered.

“Are you comfortable?”

She nodded, telling him the truth. She hated wearing a bra. By the end of the day, the straps felt like iron brands digging into her skin. She stripped hers off the minute she got home.

“Then you are perfectly dressed to play in your nursery. Go explore. I’ll order breakfast for us.”

The crib drew her as Darius spoke to the kitchen. The bed with beautifully curved railings sat on the far side of the room. As she got closer, Mara realized how much larger it was than a child’s crib. She ran her hand over the smooth cherrywood before checking the bedding to see if the material was stiff or soft. To her delight, the fabric felt amazing to the touch, crisp but not starched or hard.

Darius wrapped his arms around her from behind. “Breakfast will be here in fifteen minutes. Would you like to stretch out on the pillows and see if I did a good job picking out the mattress?”

She had to do that, right? Just to see how the bed supported her. She nodded, and Darius boosted her up to crawl onto the comforter. Stretching out, she looked around, trying to imagine snoozing here. “Do I still get to sleep with you, Daddy?”

“This bed is for naps only, Little girl. You sleep with Daddy at night.”

She nodded happily at that statement.

Darius was quiet for a second before adding, “I think we could both fit in here if you wish to curl up here together one evening.”

“No way, Daddy. You’re too big.”

“Challenge accepted. Scoot over.”

He snuggled in beside her, drawing Mara to his chest. Darius definitely dominated the space, but Mara loved cuddling next to him. She rested her cheek on his chest, sighing with contentment.

“This is nice, isn’t it?” he asked and squeezed her close.

A muffled knock sounded in the hallway. Darius patted her bottom firmly and dropped a kiss on her head. “Breakfast, Little girl.” He rolled out of bed and scooped her off the mattress. After carrying her across the room, he set her in a chair at a square table before heading to the door. She noted he always maintained a limited distance from her. That wasn’t by chance. Her Daddy was taking care of her.

Chapter

Eighteen

When he wheeled a fancy wooden cart into the room, an incredible aroma filled the room. “Now I’m hungry. How about you?”

“Starving,” she answered, raising her nose into the air to sniff. “Bacon.”

“Let’s see what the wizards in the kitchen sent us.” Darius removed the warming lids from the plates and bowls stacked on the top of the tray set on the cart. “Bacon and sausage. Scrambled eggs. Waffles. Fruit.”

“Coffee?” she asked, sounding hopeful.

“One cup for Little girls with lots of milk.” Darius had created a light-colored brew for her to try.

“Could I have some sugar, please?”

“Of course. How could I forget that?” He set the concoction in front of her and poured a coal-black cup for himself.

As Mara sipped her coffee and hummed with delight. “That tastes better than anything I’ve put together before.”

She hovered at his side as he loaded an empty plate full of delicious items before placing the dish in front of her. “I can’t eat all that.”

“Good. We’ll share.” Darius lifted her into his arms and claimed her spot on her chair before settling Mara on his hard thighs.