My own daddy ( Daddy 1)

Chapter 2

One moment, Larkin was getting some fresh air, and the next, she was surrounded
by three men and terrified.

She felt so stupid, putting herself in this position. She'd only had a few beers, but she
hadn't eaten all day, and she knew she was a lightweight.

No, please, just leave me alone, she cried out. She was confused about how she
got outside and why the men were touching her.

Awww, come on, sweetheart. We just wanna help you.

She shook her head. Even though she felt woozy, she instinctively knew they were
out to harm her.

She struggled to get away from them, crying and trying to scream, but she couldn't
seem to get it out through her fear-induced restricted airway. Her body jerked to the
side when one of the men went to the ground, and another one cried out and was
gone from her side. Strong arms caught her before she collapsed on the ground.

The scent of the men was the first thing she noticed. Then strong arms held her
against his chest, making her feel safe for the first time since...ever.

She felt like she was going in and out of consciousness. Different voices and sounds
came but her focus stayed on the man and trying to remain on her feet.

Finally, she was able to sit down, or rather lay, in the back seat of a large vehicle.

Larkin cuddled up against the hardest but warmest thing she'd ever felt. She knew it
was a man, one she didn't know. While she should have felt some concern over the
fact they were alone, she'd never felt safer in her life.

She was jostled a bit when he lifted her out of the car and into his arms. Her head
twirled and her stomach twisted. Resting against him and curling her around his
neck, she knew instinctively he'd taken care of her.

****

Where are we? she murmured against his neck. Mmmm, you smell good.

Darian rolled his eyes as he got them on the elevator and put in his code for the
penthouse. You smell good too, baby.

She tilted her limp head back to look up at him. Do I smell like sex?

Darian's head jerked back, and he frowned. What? he barked.

The girls put some perfume on me and said now I'd smell like sex and finally get a
man to pop my cherry.

Darian wanted to roar as a streak of anger raced through him. He hated that her
friends would make so little of her virginity. He closed his eyes for a moment to calm
down, so he wouldn't scare her. Why do they want you to get rid of your virginity?

Because I'm twenty-three, and I've got to open myself up to new experiences, even if
I don't want too, they said.

Darian stepped into the foyer of his condo and made his way to his bedroom. Why
do you have to change yourself? I think you're perfect just the way you are.

A sleepy grin crossed her face. You don't know me yet. I'm a hot mess.

Darian placed her on her back on the bed and slid off her shoes. Who told you that?

Larkin threw her arms out to her sides. So many people, I can't remember all of
them.

Why, love? he asked.

Because I seem to be unable to grow up.

He saw the tears in her eyes.

How did you determine what a grown-up is?

Larkin reached for him and just about smacked him in the face.

Darian jerked his head back and grabbed onto her hand. Answer me, he said gently.

I can't...

Why the hell not? he asked.

She struggled to sit up and then stand, covering her mouth with her hand.

Shit, baby. He raced her into the bathroom, thankful they'd just made it. He pulled
back her hair to keep it out of the toilet and reached for a washcloth.

Larkin sagged against the toilet when her bout of vomiting was over. I don't like
this, she confessed.

Darian smiled sympathetically. I know, baby. It won't happen again if I have anything
to say about it.

She nodded tiredly with her eyes closed.

He stood her at the sink and handed her a few capfuls of mouthwash.

She rinsed her mouth out thoroughly. I hate the taste of puke. She scrunched up
her nose.

Darian grinned, flushed the toilet, closed the lid, and sat her on top. Are you steady
so I can start the shower?

Instead of answering, Larkin leaned over toward the counter, put her arm on top, and
laid her head on her elbow. Who's taking a shower?

He grinned. We both are. You have vomit in your hair and down your dress.

Darian quickly turned on the shower and shed all his clothes except for his boxers.
He then started on her clothes, which didn't consist of much. The dress she wore
was slinky and red hit several inches above her knees. After he pulled that off,
she was down to barely-three panties.

His eyes scanned over her. She was perfection. She wasn't stick-thin but had nice,
rounded hips, a tiny waist, and her breasts, he predicted, were a handful for him but
looked firm.

Darian gritted his teeth as he felt a drop of sweat roll down his back. Let's get you in
the shower, and we'll get that vomit out of your hair.

She raised her arms to him with a trusting look in her expression that made his heart
swell. He lifted her effortlessly and stepped into the shower.

First, he washed her hair with the shampoo and conditioner he used. He knew she
probably needed more product, but that was all he had on hand. It hadn't been easy,
but he washed her thoroughly while holding her up with a hand on her arm.

As he turned off the water, she started to sway. He quickly wrapped a towel around
her and sat her back on the toilet lid again. He grabbed another towel and squeezed
the moisture out of her hair.

Darian tossed the towel and picked her up when her eyes started to droop. He
deemed her hair was dry enough. It would take several more minutes with a blow-
dryer to get her thick hair dry, but she didn't seem to have the energy.

He set her on the bed. Then he whipped the comforter and blanket to the side and
slid her in. After he quickly changed out of his wet boxers, he put dry ones on, sat
beside her hips with one of his shirts, and managed to get her into it and close
several buttons.

She was out. He knew it was for the best. She needed her sleep, but he has so many
questions he wanted to ask her. Being patient was something he wasn't familiar
with, but he'd have to wait.

He turned off the lights except for the ones in the bathrooms. That way, he could see
her, and if she woke up, she wouldn't be so disoriented.

A long hour later, Darian still had her tucked against his side and was staring up at
the ceiling. His mind whipped from one scenario to another, but they all had to do
with keeping her. He'd looked for someone like her for years. He thought it a bit
ironic. that she would practically fall into his lap when he had pretty much given up
finding her.

Darian still had several questions before he would make any definite plans.

In the meantime, he'd hold her close and enjoy the warmth and the silkiness of her
skin.