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“You spent how much, little girl?”
Uh oh. She hadn’t ever planned on telling him how much they’d really cost, because although he’d made it clear he didn’t mind how she spent her own money, she didn’t think he’d overlook that much of a splurge. But the wine was doing more than just making her unsteady on her feet. “I don’t remember.”
“Hmm. Tomorrow, we are going to sit down and have a talk about budgets.”
It was completely unnecessary. She’d always been careful with money, but it was sweet of him to want to protect her, even from a non-issue. Leaning into him, she let her head fall to his shoulder as he guided her carefully to the dining room where their friends were already seated, watching them with various expressions of amusement and what she thought might be just plain happiness. “Yes, Daddy.”
* * *
“You don’thaveto leave yet.” Tucked up under her husband’s arm, Olivia smiled, and Dean had to hold back a laugh at how openly pleading it was.
Not that he blamed her. James and Bryant had made it clear over dinner that as soon as he and MaryAnn were gone, they would be ‘discussing’ Shannon’s escape and Olivia’s role in said escape. And judging by the conversation he’d had with the brothers in the kitchen earlier, Olivia was right to be worried about what they had up their sleeves.
“We really do,” Dean said, leaning in to brush a kiss over her cheek. “We’ve both got work in the morning, and MaryAnn’s new boss is a stickler for punctuality.”
“You got a job?” Olivia’s delighted squeal echoed around the foyer. “Why didn’t you tell us?”
“It’s just temporary.” A red flush crept up MaryAnn’s neck. “Dean’s letting me help out at his shops for a bit, until I can find something more permanent.”
“That’s so sweet.”
“Other than being surrounded by things for him to punish me with,” MaryAnn mumbled.
Finally giving in to the urge to laugh, Dean pulled her close and pressed a kiss to her hair. “Then you’ll just have to be on your best behavior at work, won’t you, babygirl?”
“Yes, Daddy.”
It took another twenty minutes to say all their goodbyes and escape out to the car. MaryAnn’s quiet sigh as they pulled away from the curb had his antenna quivering and he reached out to take her hand, threading his fingers through hers. “Something on your mind, babygirl?”
“Hmmm? No.” Letting her head fall back, she grinned. “That was a happy sigh, promise.”
“Good. So, you had a good time with your friends?”
“The best.” The smile faded a bit as she shifted in her seat. “I, um, told them about… about what happened after Nate. About my, um, punishment.”
“I gathered as much from what Shannon said about my creativity. I’m not upset, if that’s what you’re worried about.”
“Oh, good. I wasn’t quite sure what the rules were, but Shannon is very, um, persuasive.”
“So I’ve heard. Well, for future reference, if it’s not something we’ve discussed, I won’t punish you for it. But if you let Shannon talk you into breaking an established rule, herpersuasivenesswon’t save your bottom. Understood?”
“Yes, Daddy.”
“And I don’t mind you sharing with your friends. It’s important to be able to talk about that kind of stuff, especially with people who understand.”
“Thanks. That means a lot.” With another happy little sigh, she leaned over, resting her head on his shoulder. “You’re the best Daddy in the whole world.”
Guilt pricked at his conscience. Good Daddies didn’t keep secrets, and they certainly didn’t keep ones as big as the one he’d been holding back for a week now.
It was time to tell her, even if it meant she’d never look at him quite the same again.
The second they made it through the front door, she kicked her shoes off, and he couldn’t help but wince at the sight of five hundred dollars thumping haphazardly onto the floor. “Oh my god, that feels amazing. Almost better than sex.”
“If that was better than sex, I really need to up my game.”
Laughing, she turned to loop her arms around his neck. “Have you been holding out on me, Daddy?”
“Maybe, but not in the way you’re thinking.” Though he hated to kill that light in her eyes, he pulled her close. “Do you trust me, MaryAnn?”
