Page 38 of Demon Daddy's Hidden Daughter
But rushing this—rushing her—would ruin everything. She's been hurt enough. Used enough. If this happens between us, it needs to be her choice. Her pace.
I force myself to step back, hands trembling slightly as I release her face. The loss of contact feels like physical pain, but the soft way she's looking at me makes it bearable.
"You made my night," I tell her honestly, voice still rough with want. "Damn, you made my whole year with a kiss."
The smile that spreads across her face is radiant—pure joy mixed with feminine satisfaction at affecting me so strongly. She touches her lips with her fingertips, like she's trying to memorize the feeling, and the gesture is so unconsciously sensual that I have to curl my hands into fists to keep from reaching for her again.
"Good night, Rhyen," she whispers, backing toward the door with that beautiful smile still lighting up her features.
"Good night, sweetheart." A faint blush crawls up her features, and it makes her look so damn good.
She slips out as quietly as she arrived, leaving me standing there in the sudden silence with the taste of her still on my lips and the image of her delighted expression burned into my memory forever.
But fuck, that was worth it. A kiss from Lenny was worth everything.
Only…it wasn't anywhere near enough.
19
LENNY
Iwake with sunlight streaming through the gauze curtains and something unfamiliar blooming in my chest—lightness. Pure, uncomplicated joy that makes me want to stretch like a cat in the warm sheets and smile at nothing.
The kiss. Gods, the kiss.
My fingers drift to my lips without conscious thought, tracing where Rhyen's mouth claimed mine with such devastating thoroughness. Even now, hours later, I can still taste mint and something uniquely him, still feel the careful way he held my face like I was precious instead of broken.
I've never been kissed like that. My master's touches were about ownership, dominance, taking what wasn't freely given. But Rhyen—he kissed me like he was drowning and I was air. Like he'd been waiting his whole life for that moment.
The memory sends warmth spiraling through me, pooling low in my belly in a way that should terrify me but doesn't. With Rhyen, even desire feels safe. Protected.
I slip from bed with energy I haven't felt in years, humming under my breath as I dress in one of the simple work dresses he'd bought me. The fabric is soft cotton in deep green, nothingfancy, but it fits properly and makes me feel almost pretty. The thought of seeing him this morning, of meeting those celestial blue eyes and remembering what happened between us, sends butterflies dancing through my stomach.
The kitchen welcomes me with familiar warmth, morning light painting the stone counters gold. I move through my routine with unusual ease, practically floating as I prepare the morning meal. Fresh bread from yesterday's baking fills the air with yeast and comfort. Eggs from the estate's small flock sizzle in the iron pan, their edges crisping perfectly. I slice fruit with care, arranging the colorful pieces in patterns that would make Ava giggle.
"Someone's in a good mood," Lira comments as she enters to start her own morning tasks. The half-earth nymph's knowing smile suggests she's noticed the humming, the way I can't seem to stop the small smile tugging at my lips.
"It's a beautiful morning," I deflect, but even I can hear the lightness in my voice. It sounds foreign after so many years of careful neutrality.
"Mmm-hmm." She begins arranging wildflowers in a small vase, her earth magic coaxing them to bloom brighter. "And I suppose it has nothing to do with certain late-night wanderings?"
Heat floods my cheeks, but I don't feel ashamed. Can't feel ashamed when happiness is still bubbling through me like champagne. "Mind your own business, nosy."
Her delighted laugh follows me as I carry the breakfast tray toward the dining room, where voices already drift from beyond the doorway—Rhyen's deep rumble mixing with Ava's bright chatter.
They sit at the polished wooden table, Ava perched on her usual cushion to reach properly while gesticulating wildly about something. Rhyen listens with the patient attention he alwaysgives her, but when I enter, his gaze immediately finds mine. He's usually gone by now, but I'm glad he's stayed later.
The impact hits me square in the chest. Those crystalline blue eyes hold warmth and something deeper—a heat that makes my pulse skip and stumble. The corner of his mouth lifts in a small, private smile that's just for me, acknowledgment of what passed between us in the darkness of his room.
"Good morning," he murmurs, voice pitched low enough that Ava doesn't catch the intimacy threaded through it.
"Good morning." I set the tray down with hands that only tremble slightly, hyperaware of his presence in ways that should alarm me. The breadth of his shoulders beneath a simple white shirt. The way his silver hair catches the light. How his fingers wrap around his mug with the same gentle strength that held my face last night.
"Mama, Rhyen says he could take me with him today!" Ava bounces in her seat, violet eyes sparkling with excitement. "He's teaching a class to kids! Please Mama, can I?"
The request should send anxiety skittering through me—it would have, just weeks ago. Letting Ava out of my sight, trusting someone else with her safety, would have been impossible. But looking at Rhyen now, seeing the genuine affection in his expression as he watches my daughter, I feel only warmth.
"That sounds wonderful, little star." The endearment slips out naturally, along with my consent. "But you listen to everything Rhyen tells you, understand? And be careful around the others." I know Rhyen won't let her get hurt, and I can only hope the other kids won't have such harsh words.
