“What’s wrong, babygirl?”
I blinked and focused on Marco again. I didn’t want to bring up their violent lifestyle, not when I knew there was nothing they could do about it. At least, not right now. Joseph had made it clear that he wanted out, that he wanted to go back to Cambridge with me when the danger had passed. I hoped Marco would feel the same, because I didn’t want to leave him behind, either.
“Why do you call me that?” I asked instead of telling him what was really bothering me.
“Because you’re my girl, and I want to take care of you.”
“Is that why…” I blushed, but I pressed on. “Is that why you want me to call you Daddy?”
He nodded. “Exactly. I don’t just want you to be my girlfriend, Ashlyn. What I want is so much more than that: a deeper bond. I know this is new for you, but I want to show you what that means. I have a special day planned for us.”
“What did you have in mind?” I fiddled with my fingernails, feeling suddenly nervous. So far, Marco had spanked me and whipped me with his belt. “Are you going to punish me again? Because I’m sorry for trying to run away. I really am.”
“I know you are, princess. And no, I’m not going to punish you again. Not unless you decide to be very naughty. I know your bottom is sore right now, and I don’t want to discipline you again so soon. What I do want is to take care of you, in the way I need to. I want you to let me.”
“But what does that mean?” I liked the idea of Marco taking care of me—his affection for me was like nothing I’d ever known. Joseph had been obsessed with me from the very beginning of our relationship. He’d wanted me to belong to him, to submit to him. I understood that now.
But Marco wanted something different from me. Something dark and strange. Something that made me tremble, even as my entire body heated for him.
“I’m your Daddy. I’ll show you what it means. All you need to do is be a good girl and do as you’re told.”
“What if I don’t want to do what I’m told?”
He gave me a lopsided grin that made my heart melt. How had it taken me so long to appreciate how handsome he was? Joseph might be gorgeous, but Marco possessed his own dark beauty.
“You can pout all you want, princess. It’s adorable, but it won’t get you anywhere with me. You’ll do as you’re told, because it’ll make me happy. And you want to make Daddy happy, don’t you?”
I mulled that over. It was weird, unlike anything I’d ever heard of.
But of course I wanted Marco to be happy. I craved his pleasure, his smile.
“Yes,” I agreed. “I want you to be happy, Marco.”
“Daddy,” he corrected me.
My cheeks flamed, but the words left my lips without a second thought. “I want you to be happy, Daddy.”
His brilliant grin knocked the air from my chest. “That’s my sweet girl.”
I returned his smile, giddy excitement flooding my system. I liked when he spoke to me with such warm approval.
Marco started gathering what he needed from the fridge to make lunch.
“You don’t have to make all my meals.” I’d let him make every meal for me since I’d arrived. I hadn’t lifted a finger to help. And while I wasn’t much of a cook, I suddenly felt guilty for taking Marco for granted.
He shot me a warning look. “I want to, and don’t let me hear you say another word about it. I told you: I’m going to take care of you today. Let me.”
“Okay.” I felt a little useless, sitting here while he worked. So, I passed the short span of time by watching his bulky muscles flex and shift as he moved. His tight black shirt did little to hide his physique, and his dark jeans hugged his ass perfectly.
I was practically drooling by the time he sat down beside me, placing a single plate between us. The sandwich was stuffed with enough pastrami for two people, and he’d provided far more hummus and carrot sticks than I could eat by myself.
“Where’s yours?” I asked, puzzled.
“This is for both of us.”
“Oh.” I still didn’t understand why we were sharing off one plate, but he’d cut the sandwich down the middle, so I supposed there was enough food for both of us.
I reached for my half, but he caught my wrist and directed my hand back to my lap. He picked up a carrot stick and dipped it in the hummus before lifting it to my mouth.
“What are you doing?” I asked.
“Taking care of you. Open up, babygirl.”
“I can feed myself.”
“Of course you can. But I want to feed you today. Now, be a good girl for Daddy and eat your vegetables.”