Page 70 of Their Forever Daddy

“We brought donuts!” Daddy announced, holding up three pink and white boxes as he carried them into the room and placed them on the coffee table. “I wasn’t really sure what everyone would want so we got one or two of everything.”

Edie shook her head. “When their Daddies call me to ask why I sent them home all hopped up on sugar, I’m handing you the phone.”

“I can handle it,” Daddy said with a wink. “I’ve got some work to get done, but I’ll just be upstairs if you need me.”

Which was his way of giving them space for some girl time, while staying close enough to be right there if something went wrong.

Was it any wonder she loved that man to distraction?

“You okay, babygirl?” Edie asked softly as Daddy made himself scarce.

Jesse rolled her eyes in return, exaggerating the movement for extra sass. “I’m fine, worrywart.”

A quick sharp pain in her thigh had Jesse smothering a yelp as a sadistic sort of glee shimmered in Edie’s dark eyes. “Watch yourself, little girl.”

Excitement sent Jesse’s heart racing. “Or what?”

“Brave little brat,” Edie answered with a quiet chuckle. “You think just because my friends are here, I won’t punish you? I can promise you, they won’t think twice about me bending you over my knee and spanking that naughty little bottom of yours if you need it.”

Sweet baby Jesus, that was hot. “You wouldn’t dare.”

“Fuck around and find out, babygirl. Ball’s in your court.”

It was tempting. Oh man, was it tempting. But she still wasn’t sure where she stood with Edie’s friends, and the last thing she wanted was to alienate them by acting like a total brat.

So she settled for huffing quietly and shifting in her seat so she was facing the group. As soon as she did, she realized she didn’t need to worry about how they’d react to her bratting—they were way too occupied with the donuts. All three boxes were now open, Carly held a donut in each hand with a maniacal gleam in her eye, Noelle had chocolate ringing her mouth from whatever donut she’d already scarfed down and was searching the boxes for a second, Taylor was happily munching on a jelly-filled donut that was in danger of spilling down the front of her clothes, and Ginny was primly picking at a simple cake donut with sprinkles.

“Grab me a custard donut, would you, babygirl? I’m starving.” Another of those low, wicked laughs rumbled in Jesse’s ear. “I worked up quite an appetite last night.”

Embarrassed heat flooded Jesse’s face as she wiggled out of the chair and inched closer to the coffee table. Just as she was trying to decide how to get to the table without getting in anyone’s way, Carly looked up and smiled. “Hi! Noelle, stop crowding the table,” she added, elbowing her friend out of the way.

Noelle scowled but shifted to the side as Jesse knelt between them, her heart pounding now for an entirely different reason. “Thanks, Carly. Noelle.”

To her left, Noelle grunted, but it somehow managed to sound almost welcoming. “Ah, Edie wants a custard donut. Have y’all seen any?”

“Umm.” Rising up higher on her knees, Carly scanned the offerings. “There!” She pointed to the box in the middle. “Top right corner, I think.”

Picking it up, Jesse examined it. “Perfect. Thank you!”

“Thanks, babygirl,” Edie said when Jesse handed her the donut on a napkin and climbed back into the chair with her. “And you made it back in one piece, I see.”

Jesse narrowed her eyes. “Did you make me get you a donut just so I’d have to talk to your friends?”

“No. I asked you to get me a donut because I wanted one. Forcing you to interact with my friends was just an added bonus.”

“That was a dirty trick!” But Jesse leaned in and brushed a kiss over Edie’s cheek. “Thank you.”

“Any time, babygirl.” After flashing a quick grin in Jesse’s direction, Edie turned her attention toward the rest of the group, raising her voice a bit to be heard. “So, Carly-girl. Are you going to tell us how you convinced your Daddy to postpone your honeymoon two whole days?”

Carly, who had returned to the couch, wrinkled her nose. “I don’t wanna talk about it.”

“Oh, well now I wanna know, too,” Taylor said with a giggle, shifting around to face her friend. “How sore is your butt?”

“It’s not! Well.” A red flush was creeping up Carly’s neck to her cheeks. “Not like that, anyway.”

Tossing her head back, Noelle let out a cackle. “Should have just gone to Nebraska, babe.”

“I couldn’t! Not until we knew if Edie was okay!”

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