Page 21 of Daddy's Little Worker
“I don’t know, man, but it was pretty obvious. Just don’t flirt with her.” Dominic rolled his eyes. “Are you going to wake her up and want me to take her home?”
Noah shook his head. “She’s sleeping pretty hard. I’ll wake her up in a little bit and take her home myself. You can go home.”
“Thanks, boss. Have a good night.” Dominic walked off.
Looking back down at Frankie, a small smile found its way on his face. She was absolutely precious sleeping in his arms. If he could hold her like this all the time, he would. He wanted to, but it was up to Frankie if she wanted the same.
“Well, I feel like I’m third wheeling already,” Trent mumbled. “If anything happens again, I’ll let you know.”
“What happened earlier?” Noah asked.
“She was leaning against the door, looking pale, exhausted, and like she could sleep at any point. So I got her water and made sure she sat down. I was going to get Dominic to come take her home, but she insisted that she wanted to sit down for a little while and could get herself to Dominic when she was ready,” Trent explained. “So I left. I know I shouldn’t have, but part of my mind was on my cookies in the oven and not wanting them to burn. I was going to go by and check on her to see if she needed anything.”
“Monty beat you to that,” Noah informed him. “Thanks for looking after her. I’m taking over.”
Trent held his hands up and nodded. “Heard loud and clear. Good luck.”
Noah didn’t need luck. He needed Frankie to be safe, healthy, and always near him. When he got to his office, he gently placed her on the couch and covered her with the soft blanket. When Alice had told him he needed a soft blanket for when the Littles came to talk in his office, he didn’t understand, but now he did.He was using it for the first time with Frankie, and he was going to have to say thank you to Alice.
“Daddy’s here,” he whispered, kissing her forehead.
Noah wanted to sit next to her, holding her hand or holding her as she slept, but he had work to get done, and he didn’t want to scare her by being so close. Should he try harder to wake her up to get her home, or should he let her sleep a little longer? It was a tough decision, one she could be mad at him for later.
His mind went to the day before when he went to get food for them. When he’d come back in, she looked so comfortable on the chair, her eyes closed like she could fall asleep easily. Was she not getting enough sleep?
“I’ll wake you up soon.” He kissed her forehead and headed to his chair behind his desk.
CHAPTER 10
FRANKIE
“Frankie,” someone whispered.
Their voice was deeper, one she didn’t recognize off the top of her head. Where was she? Why was someone in her apartment?
“You’re okay.” the voice spoke again. “You’re safe, and all is okay. You’re at Behind the Scenes.”
Gasping, she sat up and looked around with wide eyes. She was at work. Why was she asleep?
“I am so sorry!” She raised her voice, pushing her hair down with her hands. “I didn’t mean to fall asleep! I really didn’t. I promise I’ll come in earlier tomorrow to make up for the hours I missed. I’m good for it, just ask Lita!”
Warm hands cupped her cheeks, pulling her face toward the person. Noah. She was with Noah… her boss.
“Oh my goodness. Was this all a dream, and I’m still at the interview? Did I fall asleep during it? I promise I’m not normally like that. I can stay awake, and you don’t need to worry,” she rushed out. “I am so sorry. This is so embarrassing.”
Noah gave her a gentle smile. “You’re okay, Frankie. You aren’t in any trouble, and you aren’t coming in earlier or staying later. You fell asleep after your shift was over.”
Her shoulders slumped, and she should stop herself leaning into his right hand. Oh, she loved it when he touched her. She wanted to beg him to do it more, but that would be inappropriate. He was her boss.
“I’m sorry for falling asleep. This is the first time I’ve ever done it. I think it’s because I feel so comfortable and safe here,” she mumbled at the end.
“Do you not feel comfortable and safe anywhere else?” He was staring at her so intently, like he was trying to see if she would lie.
She shook her head. “No, not at my apartment.”
Frankie closed her eyes and sucked in a breath of air. She should not have said that. Not when Noah said he would take her out of there if anything dangerous happened. But nothing had happened yet. She just didn’t feel comfortable and safe there. Which meant he had no reason to take her to a different apartment.
“I don’t like the sound of that,” Noah grumbled.
