“Hello?”
“Where are you, little artist? You took off so fast I couldn’t keep up.”
“Rooker.”
“Daddy, if you please.”
“Sorry. Daddy. I’m in the restroom,” Carri said as she moved through the doorway and back into the main hallway.
When she saw him just across the way, she waved and fast-walked in his direction. She did not stop until she was pressed against his body with her arms wrapped around his middle.
“I’m sorry,” she whispered as her tears overflowed and soaked into his shirt.
“For what, babygirl?”
“They don’t want me to go with you tonight. They don’t think I can make my own choices,” she whispered. “I got so mad that I yelled at them and ran away. But there were so many people staring at me that I ducked into the restroom and tried to pull myself together.”
She did not resist when Rooker wrapped his arms around her and began to shuffle them out of the flow of traffic. It only took a minute before he had her pressed against a cold, bumpy, brick wall.
“You’re safe, little one. Breathe with Daddy,” he said as he held her securely against his body, one hand slowly stroking up, around, and down her back in a big oval.
Her jittery insides settled and she relaxed fully. It felt so good to be held by a man. By this man. This man who was more Daddy than anyone she’d ever met before. When he finally eased his hold and leaned back, she was able to look up at him with a smile on her face.
“Thanks, I needed that,” she said so only he could hear her.
“I did, too,” he admitted with a grin. “Now, we know what your sisters want, the question is what do you want to do? Do you want to come home with me and have a Little and Daddy evening? Or go with them and spend the night dreaming about Daddy?”
Though she knew her sisters would not approve, Carri did not have to think hard about what she wanted. “I want to be with you. Please?”
“Then that’s what we’ll do, little one. But first we’re going back inside the ballroom, and you will apologize to your sisters for yelling at them. You might also want to thank them for loving you enough to want to protect you.” Rooker released her, took a step back, and held out his hand.
Carri did not hesitate in putting her hand in his. As his big hand wrapped around her smaller one, everything felt right.
So right.
Why couldn’t her sisters see that?
“Can we play on the swings before we leave?” she asked as they slowly made their way back into the large room, moving against the traffic that was all leaving.
“I think that could be arranged. You might want to invite your sisters to join us, and we could order a pizza delivered, or go to the mall and hit the food court together.”
Carri stopped, stunned that he would be willing to spend time with her sisters. “You’d be willing to do that?”
Rooker shifted and looked down at her with a surprised expression. “Of course I would. I can tell that you three are closer than most sisters, and I would never ask you to have to choose between me and them.”
Carri blinked, stunned at his admission. “That is so cool of you. Most of the men I’ve dated just wanted to be with me alone. They didn’t even want to get to know my sisters.”
Rooker frowned at that. “If they didn’t want to get to know your whole family, they weren’t the right men for you. I just hope that you decide that Iamthe right Daddy for you. For now and for always.”
Carri released his hand and stepped into him, wrapping her arms around his middle. “I’m already pretty sure you are, but only time will tell.”
“Yes, little one, it will. Now, let’s go talk to your sisters.”
Rooker smiled as the three sisters talked over one another, each apologizing for their behavior and harsh words. They then fell together for a group hug as they began to giggle.
When they finally separated, he stepped up and dropped an arm around Carri’s shoulders.
“Would you ladies like to join us for pizza and swinging in the park before Carri and I head to my house?”
