“And when I hold your hand I want us both to be reminded who you belong to. My jeweler doesn’t just make hair clips. He also makes these,” he adds, taking a knee and reaching into his pocket as he removes a tiny, felt, black box.
His voice somehow finds an octave even deeper than normal, as he looks up at me with possessive eyes, pupils dilating as his eyes narrow. “It doesn’t matter if you have hair or not. It doesn’t matter where you’ve been or what you’ve been through, only where we’re going…together. I love you exactly the way you are, and I’m going to be the only man who knows what you look like under those clothes. The only man to run his hands along the small of your back. And the only man to stand in the hospital delivery room, squeezing your hand tight as you give birth to our children…over and over again. I’m not taking no for an answer and I’m not letting you run out of here again. You’re mine Camila Dubois, and now you know it with one hundred percent certainty if you didn’t already before. And the whole world knows it too,” he says, sliding the ring on my finger.
Standing he picks me up in his arms and twirls me around before claiming my lips passionately.
“You didn’t even give me the chance to say yes,” I tease.
“Daddy knows what’s best for you, little girl.”
“You sure do, Daddy. And now I’m yours and only yours.”
“You always were.”
“So I’m not your housekeeper anymore?” I tease.
“You’re exactly what you’ve always been all along. My everything. I love you, my princess, and soon to be my queen.”
“I love you too, Daddy.”
He kisses me again and I feel my body elevating as I look down over my shoulder and see he’s carrying me up the stairs to the master bedroom no doubt.
I’ve been a bad girl running away from my Daddy, and I expect to be punished.
I just wonder who’s going to enjoy it more. Then again I already know the answer. We both will equally, just like our love.
We’ve found the one person in the world who completes us, who understands what makes us tick, and who will support each other in all times, thick and thin.
And I know my Daddy is going to put those thick paws of his on my backside to remind me to be a good little girl.
But then again, being bad has its rewards. I know I’ll be good for my Daddy, but I’ll be sure to act up from time to time too, because I know he won’t tolerate my bratty behavior, and watching a man stand up for what he believes in and never waiver, is what makes me fall to my knees at his feet.
Daddy’s brought me to heel, and by giving up some of my feistiness I gain everything.
Scratch that. I’m staying just as feisty, always.
“Are you going to give me a spanking, Daddy,” I say as he tosses me on the bed and makes quick work of getting out of his clothes.
“Baby girl, I’m going to give you everything. Always,” he says, moving closer to the bed before he yanks my clothes off.
I smirk, knowing he was right all along. Daddy does know how to handle a spoiled little girl. And now, with this ring on my finger, it’s crystal clear I’m going to be his little girl for life.
“I love you, Daddy.”
“I love you, angel.”
Epilogue
Carter
Three months later
Taking one-half of the oversized scissors and making sure my wife has the other, we cut the ribbon to our new center, the Carter and Camila Cross Kids Care Foundation. I loved the name that Camila came up with, and still shake my head at my terrible first attempt. But that doesn’t matter now. All that matters is that my first attempt at love will be my only attempt because it requires no trying at all. Loving my woman comes naturally and to know with absolute certainty that we’re mated for life is the best thing that’s ever happened to me.
“Speech! Speech! Speech!” the crowd chants playfully.
I take a step forward to say a few words, but I feel Camila’s hand dart out in front of my midsection. “I got this one,” she winks.
Lifting both hands in mock surrender I step back, giving her the spotlight…which is exactly where she belongs.