Page 39 of Big Daddy Christmas
“I am! I am! Holy crap, I’m getting married!” With another of those happy squeals, Lottie threw her arms around Frankie’s neck. “Thank you so much for everything, Frankie. Today is going to be amazing and it’s all because of you.”
“I think your Daddy might have something to say about that,” Frankie said with a laugh.
“Oh, right, him too.” Pulling away, Lottie grinned up at Holden then gasped. “Are those muffins? Gimme!”
He watched, amused as she practically dove for the basket. “Made them fresh this morning, just for you girls. Enjoy.”
“Thank you, Holden!” Eyes fluttering closed, Lottie bit into one of the muffins and moaned. “I swear these get better every time.”
Beaming up at him, Frankie tilted her head back, inviting him to kiss her. An invitation he took full advantage of, sliding an arm around her waist and yanking her close to him as he slanted his lips across hers.
When he lifted his head again, her smile had turned dreamy and her eyes were glazed over with lust, and he couldn’t help but grin at the picture she made. “Behave yourself, little siren. I’ll be right across the hall if you need me, which means I’ll also be right across the hall if you need your bottom warmed.”
“Mmm. Yes, Daddy.”
“Good girl.” Dipping his head again, he lowered his voice for only her to hear. “And in case you do forget, Daddy has ways of helping you remember.”
He’d slid his free hand into his pocket during their kiss, and he hit the button to turn her toy on. And was rewarded with the sight of her eyes going wide and her cheeks flushing bright pink as she trembled in his arms.
“Daddy.” The word was a whining plea, and he took pity on her, flipping the toy back off as he grinned down at her.
“Just a reminder, little siren. Be good, and come find me if you need me, even if it’s just for something small. Understood?”
“Yes, Daddy.”
“Good girl. I love you, Francesca.”
Everything about her seemed to light up at his words, and he wondered if there’d ever be a day she didn’t respond just like that to hearing him say he loved her.
He really hoped not.
“I love you, too. Thank you for this morning. And for being so understanding about… things.”
“You don’t have to thank me, baby. I’m always in your corner.”
“I know.” Eyes suspiciously wet, she lifted a hand to his face. “I just want you to know I don’t take that for granted.”
“Never in a million years would I think that. So you can put that thought right out of your head and enjoy your day with your friends. That’s an order, little girl.”
Her lips twitched as she raised an eyebrow. “Really? An order? You do know who you’re talking to, right?”
“I know exactly who I’m talking to. A bratty little girl who better do as she’s told unless she wants to be walking down the aisle with marks from her Daddy’s belt all over her ass.”
“Don’t threaten me with a good time, Holden.”
Delighted by her, as he so often was, he hauled her back up for another short, scorching kiss before releasing her and sending her scurrying back to Lottie with a heavy swat to her ass. Satisfied she’d be as relaxed as she could be, he left and headed across the hall to Braden’s suite.
Chapter 6
Frankie
“So… What was all that about?” Eyes sparkling, Lottie bit into the muffin she was holding in her palm with all the reverence of an acolyte worshiping at the altar of their favorite god.
“Nothing. Just Holden being Holden.”
“Mmhmm. So he’s just being all extra-protective Daddy for no reason, huh?”
Telling Lottie the truth would only stress her out and make her feel guilty, which was out of the question on her best friend’s wedding day. But she couldn’t lie, either.
