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“That definitely isn’t happening,” he growled at her. “Unless you want a hot ass and he wants to die.”
“Silly Daddy Z.”
She was smiling again.
And again, he wasn’t joking.
“Now, back to what you were saying, and oh . . . you also said that I was to have an endless supply of sour gummy worms and that I was allowed to eat as many as I liked.”
“Really? That also doesn’t sound like me either.”
“Like I said, Daddy Z, I was shocked too.” She put her hand on her chest. “But you said it. I also think that you said I was allowed to ride you around like a pony.”
“Like a pony?” he asked in a strangled voice. That seemed a step too far.
“Well, I don’t expect you to neigh or anything. But some reins could be good. How tough is your back?”
“Right, Little Thief, that’s it.” He pressed her down onto the sofa and then leaned in to tickle her. But as he moved over her, he saw her face go white, heard her breath coming in sharp gasps.
Fuck. Fuck.
“Oh, baby girl.” He kneeled next to the couch and helped her sit up. “Breathe, breathe. You’re all right. You’re safe. I’m sorry.”
Why hadn’t he remembered how scared she got when he loomed over her? Idiot.
“You’re safe. You’re safe, my baby girl. Daddy is here. No one will hurt you. I promise. I’ll never let anyone hurt you again.”
He closed his eyes, berating himself. Then he felt her hand touch his cheek, and he opened his eyes to see her staring at him with a hint of embarrassment and shame.
That wouldn’t do.
“Sorry,” she whispered hoarsely. “I don’t mean to keep freaking out. It just keeps happening. Damn annoying.”
“Don’t apologize to me,” he told her firmly. “That is my fault for not being mindful of you.” He placed his hand over hers on his cheek. “What do you need? What can I do to help?”
“You’re an amazing man, you know that?”
“Of course I do.”
She grinned. “Of course, you’re also bossy and overly possessive. And you think you’re always right.”
“It’s good that you know my strengths.”
That smile turned into a giggle, then suddenly her arms were wrapped around his neck and she was holding on tight. “Silly Daddy Z. You know, maybe I should make that your new nickname. Silly Daddy Z.”
“Or not. What was my old nickname?”
“Bossy Boss Man.”
He grunted. “I’m not sure that was any better.” Standing with her in his arms, he settled on the sofa with her on his lap, facing him. “I’m sorry for frightening you.”
She buried her face in his neck. “You didn’t. Not really. I just . . . my brain gets all muddled and instead of seeing you, I see him.”
“Kansas,” he spat the word out. As soon as he found that man, he was going to suffer.
She shook her head. “Sometimes, but I . . . my father was an angry man. Especially when he drank, which was most of the time. Then he became violent. He’d yell a lot. Hit me.”
He ran his hand up and down her back. “What happened to him?”
