Tempted by her Daddies: Chapter 47

Salem stripped off Tamsyn’s coat, hat, gloves and scarf as soon as they got into the house. Alexei and Roman seemed to sense that he needed a moment alone with her and they walked off.

Then he stared down at the outfit that he’d bought her.

The very expensive outfit.

That she seemed to hate.

“You don’t like the clothes, do you?” he murmured, running a finger down the buttons.

“What? Yes, I do!”

“No. I bought them for you because . . . well, because I thought it was what you should wear. But you should wear what you like. What makes you happy.”

He now realized that he’d been a real prick about her clothes. When they’d gone shopping together and she’d stepped into the lounge in that colorful, crazy outfit he’d been somewhat horrified.

He’d thought she would be ridiculed if she went out in public like that.

But now he realized how happy she’d been in those clothes. She’d been smiling.

And he’d given her clothes that he now realized didn’t really suit her personality.

She was a star. Bright, shining, unapologetic.

And he’d tried to dampen her shine.

To put her into a mold that he thought she should be in. Sure, he’d been trying to protect her. But he’d also been trying to protect himself.

Asshole.

She could wear whatever she liked. And he’d just have Alexei take out anyone that laughed at her.

Wait . . . shit.

What was he thinking?

He was starting to sound like Alexei. Which was definitely not a good thing. It just seemed that when it came to her, his protective instincts went into overdrive and all his good sense took a nosedive.

“Tomorrow, I’m going to take you shopping and we’ll donate that outfit. Or give it to Erica. It seemed like she liked it.”

“I like it!” She wrapped her arms around herself. “You can’t take it from me.”

Confusion filled him. What was going on?

“You can’t just give someone something and take it away . . . unless . . . am I being punished?”

“What? Baby, no. Why would you think that?”

Jesus. How was he messing this up so spectacularly?

“You’re taking my gift away. Is it because I embarrassed you in front of your family? I’m sorry! But in my defense, I told you that I didn’t know how to act.”

“Okay, shh. Stop now.”

She narrowed her gaze as she glared up at him.

“Come with me. I need to talk to you for a moment.” He held out his hand and just hoped that she took it. To his relief she slid her cooler hand into his.

“You’re cold,” he exclaimed.

“I’m really not.”

“You feel cold. We should take you to the doctor to get your circulation checked.”

“I don’t need a doctor and I’m not cold.”

He led her into the living room and grabbed a blanket from a chest. Then he wrapped it around her and had her sit back on the sofa before he crouched in front of her.

“I need you to listen to me,” he told her in a firm voice. “You are not being punished.”

“Then why are you trying to take my present from me?”

Fuck.

“Baby, I’m not taking the clothes away from you.”

“But you said⁠—”

“I thought you didn’t like them. I thought we might go and buy you something you do like.”

“But I do like these.”

“Really? You tried to give them to Erica.”

“I know. She just seemed to really want them. But I don’t think I could have done it. You gave them to me, therefore I like them. I’ll always treasure them.”

He was a fucking fucker. And he didn’t deserve someone as sweet as her.

“How about you keep these clothes, and we’ll also do some shopping for things you actually like. For when you’re not in Little headspace, I mean.”

She shook her head.

“You don’t want more clothes?”

“I don’t need them.”

She did. But he could purchase them for her.

“Sorry dinner with your family was such a disaster.”

“Shouldn’t I be the one apologizing since it was my family?” he asked dryly.

“Why would you apologize for them? They didn’t do anything wrong.”

“Neither did you,” he told her firmly.

“I’m not sure your mum would agree with you. She looked kind of horrified when I gave Alexei the finger.”

“Pfft, everyone has given Alexei the finger at some stage. Even if just inside their head. Although it’s something you’d be best not to do while you’re in Little headspace, understand?”

“Yes, Daddy.”

“That’s Daddy’s good girl. So perfect. So amazing.”

She squirmed. “I’m not really, though.”

“To me, you are.”

“Do you really want me to come with you to Escana?” she asked. “To your sister’s wedding?”

“Baby, I want that more than anything. Please come with us. The only reason I haven’t asked you already is because I didn’t want you to get upset like you did when my mother invited you to dinner.”

“I understand. I . . . can I think about it?”

“Of course.” He kissed her lightly. “I feel like I have been neglecting you lately. I’m sorry.”

“You haven’t been. You have a lot going on.”

“Yes, but I’m hoping by the end of next week that my current assignment will be completed successfully.”

Her heart raced at his words.

She should ask him what he meant. Prod him for information.

That was her job.

Yet she didn’t want to.

She really didn’t want to know anything more. Because that would lead to more issues. Things that she didn’t want to think about. She’d known there was something going on, but she hadn’t gone searching for information.

God.

Being stuck between a rock and a hard place was not fun.

“I understand. Your work is important.”

Leaning down, he kissed her. “Such a good girl.”

Except she wasn’t.