Page 57 of Daddy Defender
I shove a glitter crayon at him, and he laughs, the sound deep and warm, making my heart flutter.
“Sparkles, huh?” Henry says, taking the crayon, his fingers brushing mine. “Alright, but only because my Little says so. Don’t go telling Cole or Richie about this!”
Henry adds a glittery edge to the wave, and I clap, my Little side over the moon.
“Richie is really nice,” I say, keeping my focus on the page.
“He sure is,” Henry replies. “He and Cole are very happy together. So… I guess it can work. You know.”
I smile but can’t get any words out—maybe it’s nerves or not wanting to risk spoiling the moment, but I simply get back to coloring.
We color for ages, the world shrinking to just us, the scratch of crayons, and the ocean’s hum outside. I draw a walrus that looks like Poot, giving him a surfboard, and Henry draws a duck with sunglasses, totally Billy.
“Look, Daddy, it’s us!” I say, pointing at our stuffy drawings, and he grins, his eyes soft.
“Damn good team,” Henry says, ruffling my hair, and I beam, my Little side soaking up his praise. He guides me, too, suggesting colors or showing me how to blend them, his voice all Daddy—firm but kind, like he’s teaching me rules that keep me safe. “Try the purple here, Little One,” he says, pointing to a coral reef. “Makes it pop.”
I do as Daddy tells me, and he’s right, and I feel so proud, like I’m his perfect Little.
The hour flies, and when we finish the page—dolphins, waves, Poot, and Billy all sparkly and bright—I’m buzzing, my Little side so happy I could burst.
Henry leans back, looking at our work, and nods, like it’s a masterpiece.
“Not bad, darling boy,” Henry says, and I giggle, tossing a crayon at him.
“Not bad? It’s awesome, Daddy!” I say, stomping my feet under the table in excitement.
Henry laughs, pulling me into his lap before I can dodge.
His arms wrap around me, strong and warm, and I melt, my Little side sinking into his embrace. Henry cuddles me close, his chin resting on my head, and I feel it—truly protected, like nothing can touch me, not Vince, not my fears, nothing.
It’s a first, this deep, bone-level safety, and tears prick my eyes, but they’re happy ones. This just feels so right. I know it might be crazy, but there’s something about Henry that I feel like I’ve been searching for my whole life.
“You’re my brave Little,” Henry murmurs, his voice low, vibrating through me. “No matter what happens, I’ve got you, Bodie. Always.”
Henry’s words hit hard, soothing that knot of fear about him leaving, at least for now. I snuggle closer, Poot and Billy squished between us, and let myself believe it, just for this moment.
“Thanks, Daddy,” I whisper, my voice small, my Little side wrapped in his care. I don’t know what tomorrow holds—Vince, the pier, or what comes after—but right now, I’m his Little, coloring dolphins and feeling safe, and that’s enough.
I want to take the next step with Henry, I really do.
My heart is telling me it’s what I want, and so is my body.
But with the Vince situation on the horizon, I just don’t know if there will be the right moment any time soon…
Chapter 20
Henry
After the coloring fun, the safehouse is quiet, save for the low hum of the ocean outside and the soft snores from Bodie’s nap.
Bodie’s fast asleep on the sagging couch, curled up like a little burrito with a thin blanket over him, his arms wrapped tight around Poot and Billy. His lips are parted just enough to let out these tiny, contented sighs and mini-snores.
It’s cute as hell, there’s no way of denying it.
The boy is still in my t-shirt, the fabric drowning his small frame, and my Daddy side stirs, a fierce warmth spreading through my chest.
He’s mine—my Little One, my surfer boy—and the sight of him, so peaceful despite the shitstorm circling us, hits me harder than a cartel ambush…
