Legendary Daddy, Mia Monroe [romantic books to read .txt] 📗

but then winces from the pain. “Same person who always takes care of me.” He points at his chest. “This guy.”

Bentley’s eyes shift to me, pleading with me. I know without asking what he wants.

“Come stay with us.”

Ramos opens his eyes wide. “What? Nah, man. I can’t do that.”

“Why not?”

“You don’t even know me.”

“Bentley knows you. You need a safe place to continue to heal. You can’t go back home right now. It’s not safe.”

His brow furrows. “But it’s all I know. I don’t know how to be in no normal neighborhood.”

“You can learn,” Bentley says. “You’re a good person, Ramos, with a big heart. You do a lot for other people. Let some people do something for you.”

Ramos studies Bentley, then me, before glancing at Finn. “Maybe for like a week or something. Just till I get back on my feet.”

Bentley lights up. “Good decision, Ramos.”

“You guys are good people,” he says. “I don’t know why you care, but thanks.”

“You cared about Bentley when he needed it,” I say. “I can never thank you enough for that kindness you showed him.”

“They say you reap what you sow,” Finn says. “Seems to me like you’ve earned a little kindness coming your way.”

Ramos smiles as his features soften. “Thanks, man.”

“Call us when you’re ready to be released,” Bentley says. “You still have my number?”

“I do.”

After leaving Ramos, I walk Bentley and Finn back to my car that they borrowed for the day.

“Thank you for coming, Daddy.”

I cup his chin. “Of course.”

“And thank you for letting him stay.”

“Your house is becoming the land of misfit toys,” Finn says, chuckling.

I laugh too. “That’s actually pretty fitting. I always felt like I didn’t quite fit anywhere. I made a career from porn, dancing to my own beat. I live in a fancy house among celebrities who would never let me into their inner circle.”

“But they’ve probably watched you in private,” Bentley teases.

I shrug. “Maybe. I like the idea of creating my own place of belonging. I don’t need the acceptance of strangers. Never have.”

“Maybe that’s the piece that ties us all together,” Bentley says. “We’re all on non-traditional paths, guided by choice over obligation.”

“That’s a good perspective.”

Finn shrugs. “I’m not guided by anything, but I’m definitely a misfit. I have no idea what to do with my life.”

Bentley rubs his arm. “You’ll figure it out.”

“Are you guys staying out much longer?” I ask.

“No, we’ll follow you home,” Bentley says. “By the way, when is Matteo coming back?”

“Next week.”

“Who is Matteo?” Finn asks.

“My best friend. He’s the one who opened the photography studio down here. We’re gonna go look at a few apartments for him to rent so he has a place to stay when he’s in town.”

“You’ll like him,” Bentley says to Finn. “He’s nice.”

“He is.”

“And gorgeous.”

“Hey,” I growl playfully.

“Down, Daddy. I only have eyes for you.”

“Damn, you guys are goals.” Finn sighs.

Bentley grins. “You’ll get yours. I have a good feeling.”

So do I, but I keep that thought to myself. Matteo will trip over himself when he sees Finn. Plus, he’s a bit of a project, and I’ve never seen Matteo shy away from a fixer-upper.

Three days later, I busy myself in the living room wrapping Bentley’s gifts before he wakes. The items I purchased are even more stunning in person, and I can barely wait for him to see them. It feels like Christmas morning and soothes something inside me to be able to spoil him like this.

Bentley was right—he’s not like other boys. The way he stood up for himself with his parents made me unbelievably proud. It’s like when he’s working. He’s wonderfully self-confident. I smile. But then when it’s us, he’s submissive, compliant, stunning in his absolute deference to me. When his sweet voice calls me Daddy, it fills parts of me I didn’t know were empty.

And now we’re in love. I truly believe we’re going to spend the rest of our lives together, and the best part about it is how different it feels from anyone else I’ve been with. I remember the insecurity that rushed through me when I said those three words to Arian. They were tinged with desperation to keep him. He always taunted me with other men, and instead of calling his bluff or letting him go, I doubled down on gifts and affection.

My relationship with Bentley is so obviously different, it’s shocking I didn’t see how dysfunctional my relationship was before. When I said the words to him, it felt perfect and like finally getting something you wanted so much. I waited a long time for Bentley, but he is absolutely worth it.

I stack the gifts then carry them to the bedroom to wake my boy. It’s only eight, and given what I know about Finn so far, we have hours of alone time. Hopefully, we can help him get some structure in his life. Or a good Daddy can.

Bentley is snuggled in the covers. I’ve learned that he sleeps cold even though he feels like a little furnace wrapped around me. He also sleeps deep. I swear an earthquake could shake the house down and he would barely stir. The only thing that seems to break his sleep is if I’m gone too long. More than an hour and he notices. I made it back in forty minutes.

Entering the bathroom, I pause and glance around for a few minutes. I was thinking about taking a bath, but maybe I’ll shower. I strip out of my clothes, turn on the water to get it heating up, then slip back into the bedroom to wake my boy.

I lean down and brush his hair from his forehead, whispering his name. His eyes flutter open and a sweet smile spreads across his face once he focuses on me.

“Morning, Daddy.”

“Morning, sweet boy. Can you get up for Daddy? I’m running a shower for us.”

“Why?” he moans. “It’s so comfy here. You could get back in and cuddle.”

I chuckle. “I promise it’s worth getting up for.” I point