Turning to Daniel, I tried to look sorry for our departure, but Daniel knew I was anything but. “I guess that’s my cue.”
“Most definitely. Have a safe drive. Goodnight, Ellie. Keep your Daddy out of trouble.”
Ellery managed a half-hearted giggle despite being half asleep. “I will.”
My princess wouldn’t need to keep me out of trouble. Although I had no doubt they were going to take care of me just as much as I was planning on taking care of them.
Daniel scooped Tristan from the couch and waved another quick goodbye before disappearing down the hall.
“Come on, darling. Let’s go home.”
“Snuggles with Daddy?”
I chuckled at how needy they were being. I’d already told them they were getting snuggles, but it seemed my princess needed some reassurance.
Their neediness, combined with the soft, hopeful tone of their voice, made me feel over the moon as I picked them up and placed themagainst my chest. “Yes, princess. Daddy can’t wait to be all warm and snuggled up with his little princess.” I desperately wanted to ask them if they’d like a bath, but I wasn’t sure they’d stay awake that long.
Ellery’s sleepy face turned red, making them look even more adorable. They buried their face in the crook of my neck and then melted against me. Once we reached the front door, I rubbed my hand up and down their spine. “Okay, princess, as much as I’d love to carry you to the car, I need my hands to open the doors. I don’t want to drop my precious princess.”
My sweet Ellie nodded in understanding. When I set them down, they were still very sleepy, so I kept a hand on the small of their back as I led them to the car.
Ellery was practically a puddle of goo as I helped them into the car and buckled their seatbelt. When we got back to my apartment, Ellery was surprisingly still awake.
“Come on, princess. Let’s get inside.” As soon as we were inside, Ellie grabbed at my shirt, tugging gently. Wanting to be as close as possible, I picked them up and popped them onto my hip.
My princess was tired after the long day, but they seemed decently awake after the drive home. I decided to offer a bath after all. “Would you like Daddy to give you a bath, princess?”
Ellery’s face heated, and their fingers tightened in my shirt. “Can you get in with me, Daddy?”
“That sounds wonderful, sweetheart.” Once we entered the bathroom, I sat Ellery down and made my way over to the tub.
After making sure the water was at the right temperature, I grabbed the bubble bath and poured a generous amount into it. Ellery watched me with the utmost attention. When the bubbles began to form, they clapped their hands in excitement.
“Bubbles!”
When everything was ready, I began taking off my clothes. My shirt came first, and when it hit the floor, Ellery let out a small moan. With a smirk, I turned around to face them. “See something you like, princess?”
Ellery bit their lip and nodded. I took my time peeling my jeans down my legs, watching as Ellery’s eyes filled with heat. When I removed my boxers, I saw their hand twitch as they tried to grab themself, but they held back. “Good princess. That’s Daddy’s to touch, isn’t it?”
Ellery bit their lip, but couldn’t hold back the whimper that escaped them as they nodded their agreement. “Yours, Daddy.”
“That’s right, princess. Daddy’s in control right now. We’re going to have some much-needed relaxing time in the bath.”
Ellery nodded and began removing their shirt. I closed the distance between us and gently batted their hand away. “Nuh-uh, princess, that’s Daddy’s job, remember? You’re Daddy’s little princess right now, and you don’t need to do anything but let me take care of you.”
Ellery let out a deep sigh of relief, and their shoulders dropped, letting me know I’d made the right call. My sweet princess needed reminders that Daddy was in control. I had no problem reminding them as often as they needed.
“Thank you, Daddy.” Joy bubbled up inside me as I kissed the tip of their nose before slowly lifting their shirt off. “You’re welcome, princess. I love taking care of you.”
My heart nearly stopped when Ellery lifted onto their tiptoes to place their forehead against mine and nuzzled gently. My words were caught in my throat, and I bent down to remove their pants.
The love I was beginning to feel for Ellery was suddenly overwhelming and threatened to spill out. Taking deep breaths, I focused on how they responded to my touch. Every brush of my skin against theirs as I undressed them made our connection deeper.
Once I had Ellery completely undressed, my eyes couldn’t help but take in their naked form. Damn, they were beautiful.
I reluctantly left their side, making my way over to the tub. A deep moan escaped as I lowered myself into the warm water. I wasn’t usually one for baths, but I think my princess knew I needed this as much as they did. Turning my head toward Ellery, I held out my hand for them. “Come join me, darling.”
Ellery was vibrating with excitement as they took my hand and carefully stepped into the tub. Once they were settled between my legs, I pulled them into my lap with their head lying against my chest.
