Page 191 of Her Daddies' Everything

“Don’t need to sound so shocked by that, sweetness,” he said to her. “Any man would be fucking lucky to have you. Few men would be worthy. I’m not, but I want to be. Give me all of you, Immy, give me that softness inside, give me your Little, the one you protect fiercely, and I will take over that job for you. I will make sure that no one hurts you or her ever again.”

She sniffled, tears filling her eyes. “I don’t . . . I’m not sure . . . I just can’t.”

“You don’t want me?”

“I do. I just have some problems.”

“Jenner.”

She closed her eyes and nodded.

“You love him.”

“Yes. I’m so sorry.”

“Hey, sweetness, don’t be sorry. Shh. Shh.” He picked her up in his arms, holding her cradled against his chest. He walked over to a sofa and sat with her on his lap.

She melted into him.

“Don’t be sorry,” he repeated.

“But I am! Because I’m so messed up!”

“How are you messed up?” he asked.

“Because I want you and I want him. I shouldn’t want you both! That’s messed up.”

Ah, fuck.

Could he eventually get her to stop thinking about Jenner? Yep. Might mean he’d have to play dirty.

But would that be in her best interests?

Possibly not.

Did that mean he was going to do the right thing and step aside?

Fuck. No.

Tobias wasn’t a good guy. He couldn’t just let her go.

Which meant he was left with two choices. Force her away from Jenner . . . or learn to share.

Christ. Neither choice was a good one.

Although part of him was starting to see the benefits of having another man to help take care of her. She needed a lot of care and attention.

Not that he couldn’t give that now but what about when he went back to his real job with Alejandro? Who would ensure that she was safe and protected? That she ate and drank and took care of herself?

“See what I mean?” She leaned back to glance up at him. “I’m messed up.”

“It’s not messed up,” he told her firmly. “It’s how you feel.”

“But it’s not normal or fair. This is real life, not some fairy tale,” she told him. “Although it’s not like Jenner wants me. Sorry, I shouldn’t have said that. That made it sound like I’ll take you because Jenner doesn’t want me. I didn’t mean it like that. I meant that I don’t know why I’m angsting over him when he doesn’t want me.”

Fuck.

Was this a test?

---