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“Not plans, exactly. But there are things I probably should be doing.”
She didn’t seem enthusiastic about whatever it was that she thought she was supposed to be doing, so I decided to push. “I don't know what your usual schedule is, but I'd like to spend the day together. If there are things you have to do, we can work them into the plans if you don’t mind my company.”
“Of course I don’t mind your company, but aren’t there things you have to do?”
“No. I’ve cleared my day.”
There were plenty of things I probably should have been doing. Calling the event’s PR team, checking in on our gyms, watching video of my opponent, but none of it was as important as solidifying the growing connection with Alyssa. I couldn’t skip workouts, but everything else could wait. Maybe she would be interested in watching my sparring session later that day?
It was irrational, but I didn't want her leaving my sight if it wasn’t necessary. It was a balancing act I wasn’t very good at. If I pushed her too hard, she might bolt, but leaving her alone could lead to overthinking and worrying about things that she shouldn’t. Time seemed to stretch as she thought, her hand playing circles on my chest.
“I don't want to adult,” she grumbled, “but I kind of have to.”
“Nonsense. You say you have to adult a lot, but I’m here to tell you my Little girl can stay Little as much as she wants to,” I said, trying to put as much teasing in my voice as I could. “That's what a Daddy's for.”
She chuckled and looked up at me, her green eyes sparkling with humor and her lips quirked up into a smile. “Is that so?”
“Absolutely. It's in the Daddy contract I signed.”
Her giggle was like music that made my heart pound. She looked down and I didn’t like the way the joy seemed to slip off her face. “So you're going to find me an apartment? One that is affordable and close to work? I also need to get my mail forwarded though I’m not sure where to send it. Oh, and while you're at it, are you going to find me new roommates and maybe a new job?” The last part was mumbled but hearing that she was thinking about leaving her job made hope spark in my heart.
I tapped my finger against my chin in an exaggerated manner to make her smile again. “Well, how about you move in here? I think I’d be the perfect roommate and you can absolutely afford it because it'll be free.”
The eager hunger that flashed through her eyes made me happy but then she shook her head. “That's too fast.”
The way she said the words felt more like she thought she was supposed to say that rather than it was what she actually wanted. Her hesitation wasn’t unreasonable. But for once in my life, I wasn’t going to let logic override what I wanted if I could help it. I knew deep down that what we had between us was building to something lasting.
“This suite has two bedrooms. If you like, we can pretend that you're going to sleep in the second bedroom until the appropriate time has passed.” I kissed her cheek. “Please, Alyssa. Let me do this for you. My schedule is gonna get crazy over the next few weeks and I want you with me so we can enjoy every free moment I have.”
“I want to but…”
“There is something special between us and I'm not gonna lie; the idea of you struggling, living anywhere else bothers me on a level I can't even describe. If you don’t like it here, you can leave and be no worse off than you are right now.”
“I don't know, it doesn't seem fair to you. I didn’t agree to go out with you for your money or your fame or anything stupid like that.”
Though I was pretty sure that was exactly what Rocco would think, I knew she wasn’t like that. I squeezed her tight and shook my head to let her know I wasn’t worried. “Since I’m pretty sure you still don’t really understand what I’m famous for, that isn’t a concern. Meeting you at the club was fate. I never realized how much I wanted to find someone who was only interested in me as a Daddy. I know you don’t care about my MMA career or my money.”
I'd been lucky enough to barely avoid getting entangled with women like that, unlike Rocco, but that wasn't for lack of trying on their part. The thought that this sweet, slightly sassy girl was a gold digger was ridiculous.
“I don't!”
“I know, princess. Give us a week trial. If you decide you don’t want me as a Daddy, I’ll have my assistant find you an apartment.” I would do everything in my power to make sure that never became a reality, but I would live up to my promises. Talking about her apartment status reminded me there were several things I needed to tell her. In my own defense the surprise of a naked woman running into the bathroom while I was shaving had scattered all thoughts from the morning.
“Okay. I guess you’re right.”
I would’ve preferred more enthusiasm, but I would take the win. I kissed her nose. “Good girl. Oh, I almost forgot to tell you I ran into Zoe and Lucia earlier.”
She cocked her head and the look of puzzlement in her eyes was adorable. “Earlier when?”
“When I was coming back from my workout this morning.”
“When did you work out?” The disgust and horror on her face made me believe she was not a fan of early mornings. She looked around the room until she saw the clock by the TV. “It's 10:30 in the morning. You’ve been here for at least two hours.”
The blush that colored her cheeks was probably at thoughts of what we had been doing during that time. I chuckled. “Little girl, I get up every morning at 6 am, if not earlier, to work out. It’s very late in the morning.”
Alyssa looked as if I just told her she was going to have to eat liver and onions for a week. Before I could tease her about her dislike of waking early, her expression morphed into one of concern. She banged her head against my chest.
“Oh shoot. I never texted them last night that I was staying here.”
