Page 36 of Finding Little Fiera

“Firefly.”

Grr. Why were Daddies so smart? “Well… maybe a little careful.”

“Well, let’s see what we can do about that.”

She squeaked when he pulled back her blanket and lifted her onto his lap, making sure her thighs were supporting her weight instead of her bottom. His thumb brushed the blanket once near her thigh. “We’ve got a full morning ahead. I know you’re gonna be my good girl for all the events and classes.”

Good girl. The words sent a ripple straight through her. But he hadn’t just called heragood girl. He’d called herhisgood girl. The ripple grew stronger and settled between her thighs.

“Yes, Daddy,” she said softly before she could stop herself. Did he still want her to call him that today? Maybe he’d been feeling sorry for her last night because she’d been in trouble.

His eyes darkened to a deep gray, and his arms tightened around her. He still liked her calling him Daddy.

“That’s what I thought,” he said.

They sat in silence for a while, steam curling from their cups. Usually, when people stopped talking, she grew tense, worrying they were upset with her. But this wasn’t like that. It was nice to swing with her Daddy. If he were upset with her, he would tell her. She didn’t have to worry.

Finally, Master Mace shifted slightly. “The first games start in about an hour. We have just enough time to eat some breakfast, then we can head to the campground.”

Her stomach fluttered. She was looking forward to seeing her new friends. She loved hanging out with Sadie, Wren, andDaisy. But they wouldn’t be the only people there. Laura would be there, too.

What if Laura were still angry with her? Would she make things awkward? Fiera didn’t handle conflicts well. She had two basic reactions: avoidance and annihilation. She stared at her coffee, running her finger around the rim of her cup, and worried.

“I know you want to get there early, so you have time to visit with your friends,” he added, voice easy. “You only have one more day after today, then camp will be over.”

Her chest tightened at his words. She’d almost forgotten this was all temporary. Her friends were temporary. And her Daddy was temporary. The word punched her ribs so hard that she should have a bruise.

Temporary Daddy. Temporary cabin. Temporary belonging to someone who cared about her. Nothing about this morning felt temporary. Nothing about the way he sat beside her.

Everything said she was exactly where she was supposed to be.

Everything lied.

She lifted her chin. “I want to go.”

His gaze sharpened.

“Yeah?”

“I want to be there with you.” Because he was hers. At least for now.

Then he said it again, casually, almost under his breath. “That’s my good girl.”

Oh yes. For the next two days, she was his, and he was hers. It was all she could do not to bite him, so she’d have proof he was her Daddy.

Mine.

The words hit her square in the chest. He was hers. She pretended to take another sip of coffee. Pretended very hard.Anyone who saw her would say she was Little Miss Calm, Cool, and Collected. On the outside.

But inside? Inside, fireworks exploded in her chest.

He studied her over the rim of his mug. Did he know what he’d done? What she was now feeling? After what seemed like forever, he nodded. “Good,” he said finally. “Then we’ll get dressed and go get something to eat together.”

Together.

She liked how that sounded.

He set his cup aside and reached behind the chair, pulling something from the small side table. “Got somethin’ else for you.”