movie, I found myself playing with his hair and tracing the small swirls of his ear.
By the time the movie was over, Emmie was half-asleep in my lap.
“Are you staying the night, or do you want me to take you home?”
“Here,” he said, his voice barely above a whisper.
“Okay, where do you want to sleep? You can have the couch again, or you can sleep in the playroom, or with me.”
“Can I try the pink bed again?”
“Of course you can.” Lifting his head from my lap, I helped him up from the couch and walked him down the hall to the playroom. Opening the door, he shuffled inside and approached the bed. Flopping down, he rubbed his face against the soft blanket and sighed.
“Do you want me to change you?”
Nodding, Emmie rolled over and held up his arms. With a smile, I stripped him of his strawberry shirt and tossed it into the hamper. Tugging on his skirt, the elastic waistband slipped over his hips and easily down his legs. I eyed the pink panties he must have found in the dresser and forced myself not to touch.
I opened the closet and pulled out a sleeveless nightgown. Returning to Emmie’s side, I worked the fabric over his arms and head and then pulled it down over his body.
“Goodnight, little Emmie,” I said, tucking him in.
“Night, Daddy,” he replied, rolling over and shoving his face under a pillow.
Creeping out of the room, I left the door open just a bit and walked back toward the living room, a feeling of contentment washing over me. My boy was fed, happy, and in bed.
What more could I want?
I ignored the ache low in my belly that said I wanted something a bit more.
Chapter Thirteen
Miller
I jolted out of bed, the sound of thunder loud in my ears. I panted as I searched the room, the dark corners somehow appearing darker the longer I stared at them. Wanting Carson, I pushed back the covers and scrambled out of the princess bed, Sprinkles trailing right behind me.
I made a beeline for the playroom door and turned right for Daddy’s room. I hesitated with my hand poised to knock. I didn’t want to wake him if he was sleeping, I just didn’t want to be alone.
Lowering my hand, I reached for the knob and slowly turned it. I opened the door a fraction of an inch. I waited but heard nothing from inside. Opening it a bit more, I slowly stuck my head through the opening and looked around.
Carson’s bedroom was the complete opposite of the playroom. It was very adult and modern, matching the rest of the apartment. A ginormous bed took up most of the far wall. Staring at the lump under the covers that was Carson, I watched him for any movement.
Spying none, I slipped into the room and turned around. Slowly closing the door behind me, I squeaked and slammed it shut when another burst of thunder shook the walls.
“Miller?” Carson’s sleepy voice crossed the room. “Is that you?”
“Can I sleep with you?” I asked, tears already building at the thought of him telling me no.
Without saying a word, he lifted his blanket in invitation.
Darting to his side, I climbed up into the big bed and dove for the covers. Cuddling up next to him, I released a sigh when his arms wrapped around my body and pulled me into his embrace.
I whimpered as a bright flash of light briefly illuminated the room and jumped in his arms when the accompanying bang echoed in my ears.
“Shhh,” he whispered, still mostly asleep as his hand stroked my side. “It’s okay. Daddy’s got you. It’s just a little ol’ thunderstorm. Nothing can hurt you here.”
The weight of his hand and his comforting words dispelled the overwhelming fear that had overtaken me. Safe and secure, the next round of lightning flashed through the room with barely a response from me.
“That’s it, little darling,” Carson said, his voice a whisper as he began drifting off. “Now go back to sleep.”
Resting my head against his chest, I listened to the sound of his heart and his even breathing, letting them both lull me back to my dreams.
I rolled over, a shaft of light coming in through the window hitting my face just right. I squinted at the sun and turned away, colliding with a warm body. Suddenly very awake, I looked up at Carson to see him smiling down at me.