Page 66 of Protected By Her Daddy

My past is a closed book, and my present, well, it’s a page-turner in the best way possible. Gabriel and I, we’ll be there for her. There will be no dark shadows from yesterday tainting her tomorrows.

I lean closer, brushing a kiss on Gabriel’s forehead. He doesn’t stir, just continues to sleep peacefully. And that’s okay. We’ve got nothing but time here, in our borrowed paradise.

I slip away, leaving Gabriel and our precious bundle to the rhythm of the ocean’s lullaby. Inside the beach house, my hands move on autopilot, assembling sandwiches with practiced ease. The kitchen is bright and airy, and I marvel at the stark contrast to the dim corners of my former life. The bread slices nicely under the knife, and then I pile turkey and lettuce high, the way we both like it. It’s a simple feast for two who’ve known too much complexity.

“From empty alleyways to this,” I murmur, gazing out the window at the endless blue horizon.

Gabriel’s rescue wasn’t only from the physical danger that night he found me. He saved me from an existence devoid of hope. My fingers brush over the countertop, still half-expecting the stability of this moment to crumble like so many before. But it doesn’t. It’s real. Every detail, from the polished stone to the hum of the refrigerator, whispers a promise of permanence.

Balancing the tray with careful hands, I make my way back outside. The warmth of the sun kisses my skin, and the air smells of salt and freedom. Setting the tray down next to the hammock, I lean over Gabriel. His chest rises and falls in a steady rhythm, our daughter nestled against him, her tiny hand resting on his bare chest.

“Hey there, sleepyhead,” I tease gently, nudging his shoulder with my fingertips.

His eyelids flutter open, revealing those deep brown eyes I love so much. He smiles, a mix of groggy charm and tender affection that melts me every time.

“Hey, little bird,” he croons, his voice husky with sleep.

“Food’s ready,” I say, planting a soft kiss on his lips. “But first, you should know I love you.”

“Love you more,” he responds automatically, even as his arms flex, carefully lifting Nova into my waiting arms.

She stirs, blinking at me with wide, curious eyes, a perfect blend of us both. As I cradle her, she coos, content in the knowledge that she’s loved and safe.

“Let’s eat,” I suggest, my heart full, watching as Gabriel stretches and sits up, the epitome of strength and vulnerability all at once.

He reaches for a sandwich, takes a hearty bite, and grins at me through a mouthful. “Delicious,” he declares.

I giggle. The man may run a billion-dollar company, but here, he’s simply Gabriel. My Gabe. Daddy, lover, protector. And there’s nothing we can’t face together as long as we have each other and our little girl.

“I guess I’d better hurry and eat mine, then,” I agree, settling beside him, our family complete in this serene slice of paradise.

Gabriel’s hand finds mine, lacing our fingers.“Thanks for the sandwiches.” His voice is a soothing rumble against the backdrop of the ocean’s whispers. “What’s on your mind for the rest of the day?”

I tuck a loose strand of hair behind my ear and glance down at our intertwined hands. “Honestly? I just want to stay here with you and our little girl. Maybe cook something nice for dinner later.” My eyes lift to meet his. “Thank you, Gabriel. For everything. This life…it’s more than I ever dreamed possible.”

Instead of the casual dismissal I half expect, he nods solemnly, his eyes reflecting the gravity of my words.

“Hard work got me where I am,” he starts, his gaze drifting to the horizon. “But it was an empty climb, building walls around myself. I never realized I was crafting the home meant for you, for us.”

The earnestness in his voice sends a shiver down my spine. It’s as if he’s peeling back layers, revealing depths of himself only for me.

“Then you showed up and turned my world upside down in the best way.” His thumb caresses the back of my hand, a small gesture that speaks volumes of the control he wields so gently. “You gave me a purpose beyond contracts and security threats. You gave me a family.”

The knot in my throat tightens as his lips press against mine, tender yet filled with all the promise of our shared future. It’s a kiss that seals vows not spoken but deeply felt.

“Family,” I echo softly, pulling back enough to see the truth of his words reflected at me. “That’s all I’ve ever wanted.”

“Then we’re on the same page, little one,” he says with a hint of laughter in his voice.

The warmth of the sun, the gentle sway of the hammock we’re nestled in, and the man beside me all weave together into this moment, simple yet overwhelmingly full.

We shuffle inside with the remnants of our lunch. Sand clings to my feet, a gritty reminder of where we are, paradise not only in location but in life. I’m rinsing plates when Gabriel’s phone buzzes on the countertop. I glance at him, afraid our brief vacation is over. That tone is for clients only. He answers with a professionalism that always sends a thrill through me.

“Gabriel Burns,” he says, every bit the protector of worlds.

I dry my hands and lean against the counter, watching him. His brows knit and then rise, his posture shifting from business to intrigue. Then he laughs, a rich sound that doesn’t come often enough.

“Sure, I can arrange that,” he says into the phone, eyes locking with mine, dancing with mischief. “Let me check with my other half. Hold on.” He covers the receiver and turns to me fully now, that grin still playing at the corners of his mouth.

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