Page 11 of A Little Christmas: Star
“What time do you have to be at work?” I asked before shoving a bite of mini pancakes into my mouth. The honey-and-vanilla taste exploded in my mouth. The only thing that tasted better was him.
“In about an hour. But I can go in late if you want to stay here longer. Or you can stay by yourself? I’m sure life is calling for you as well.”
It was. And not figuratively. I’d gotten four texts and innumerable emails about things that needed my attention.
But all I wanted to do was wallow in the attention of the man across the table from me. If only he wasmydaddy.
“I have to get back to the hotel, and I have to be on set today.” I huffed out a humorless laugh. “It feels like I have something planned every day. It never ends.”
Caelum cocked his head to the side. “Everyone deserves some downtime. You don’t have any free time for yourself?”
“A few minutes here and there. Especially lately. Yesterday was an exception and only because of an electrical issue on set. I work and have all this money, but I can’t even remember the last time I took a vacation or a day off to relax…or play.”
“What a shame for a little. No time to play and have fun.”
His empathy was sincere. And he was right. It was a shame. I probably should’ve done something about it, but what could I do? Stealing those few times for scenes with daddies had been difficult. My life was scheduled for me.
“I’ll go get dressed. Thank you for breakfast.”
“You hardly ate,” he said. “Life can wait. You have to have energy to get your stuff done, don’t you? You have to take care of yourself, Star.”
He was the reason I needed a daddy. I was the absolute worst at taking care of myself, and I told him so.
“Now I’m going to be worried about you.”
“I didn’t mean to add anything to your plate.”
Caelum shook his head. “You didn’t. I’ll be satisfied if you eat your eggs, at least.”
I finished up my eggs and we retreated to the bedroom to get dressed. We exchanged smiles and heated gazes, but life beckoned. Maybe he was right. Maybe I really did need a vacation.
“Why do you have extra toothbrushes?” I asked, the fact still whispering in my ear.
He smiled and took my hand, leading me to the bathroom. He opened a large pantry-looking door and from what I saw inside, I felt so ashamed. “I’m a pragmatic man, Star. I buy in bulk. The truth is, I have a hate, no, a loathing for shopping in stores in general. Once every few months, I place a huge online order and get everything I might need. I don’t even go grocery shopping anymore. The local market offers delivery for a monthly fee. That’s where I got the goodies for this morning. Delivery.” He turned and winked at me. “Does that dispel any notions you had?”
I gasped. This man. It was like he had some psychic hold on my brain. “How did you know?”
“Mmm, I’m learning about the new you, but some things never change. Your blush has always been one of my favorite things about you. Plus, you pout a little when you are jealous.”
I stomped my foot and crossed my arms over my chest. “I do not.”
He leaned forward and kissed my bottom lip. Damn it. I really was pouting. “Yes, you do, sweet one. Now, let’s get dressed.”
Once we were dressed, me in my own clothes, my stomach tightened. I didn’t want this to be goodbye, but I also had noright to claim anything more considering I was the one who ghosted him before.
“Thank you for last night and this morning, Caelum,” I said, watching him gather his keys and wallet.
“There’s no reason to thank me, Star. It was my pleasure. Are you telling me goodbye, sweet one? Is one night all I get?”
“Is one night all you want?” I asked.
“What do you want, Star?” he asked, edging closer to me. He looked so good in his suit, it made me want to rip it off him again.
“I don’t want this to be one night. I want more, Daddy.”
His smile lit up the room and my heart. “Then we’ll make that happen. I want that too.”
Chapter Nine
