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Jax smiled. “I know there are worse things out there, but honestly, I think it’s been ruining my life. I’ve been living, but I’ve been glued to my screen, so it hasn’t really felt like actual living, you know?”
Mia nodded and sighed. “I know what that’s like.”
She took a mouthful of her lovely warm milk and a bite of her cookie. “This is living, though. And you seem to be doing just fine without tech to me.” She took hold of Jax’s hand, noticing how strong his fingers felt. “Nope. You’re not even trembling. Not a bit. I think you’ll get through it.”
Jax laughed. He didn’t pull his hand away from hers immediately, and instead, gave her palm a light squeeze. “You must be my medicine, Mia.”
Mia laughed and then yawned. “This warm milk’s making me sleepy.”
“That’s the idea, sweetie,” said Jax. “Come on. Why don’t you drink the rest of it up and I’ll take you to the bathroom? Help you clean your teeth.”
Mia nodded. “Yes, Daddy.” Instantly, her hand flew to her mouth again. “Oop. I didn’t mean that you’re my . . . Only that you’re a . . . “
“Please don’t apologize,” said Jax. “I liked it. If you want to call me Daddy, simply because I’maDaddy, not necessarilyyourDaddy, then go for it, babygirl. And if you want to call me Daddy because you want me to beyourDaddy, then . . . well. We can talk about that.”
Mia swallowed, her throat suddenly going dry. What did Jax mean by that? Was he trying to be polite? Trying to let her down lightly?
She yawned again.
“Come on, sleepyhead. Let’s get you ready for bed.”
Jax stood up and then lifted Mia off the couch, carrying her through to the bathroom as though she was light as a feather. He’d already set out their toothbrushes—he must have done it when he went to fetch the milk and cookies. He sat Mia down on the edge of the bath and brushed her teeth for her, gently but thoroughly. She felt him working on each and every tooth, and she wasn’t sure why, but there was something inexplicably arousing about it.
When they were both done, Jax gave Mia some privacy while she finished up in the bathroom, then he carried her to the bedroom, where he’d laid out her pajamas. He left the room while she dressed, then came back in once she called out to tell him she was under the covers.
“Want a bedtime story?” he asked, perching on the edge of the bed.
“Only if you get in next to me, Daddy,” she said with a playful grin.
Jax nodded. “All right, then. But no stealing all the blankets, okay?”
He climbed into bed, still in his jeans and t-shirt.
“Don’t tell me you’re going to sleep in the bed fully clothed?” she asked.
“I don’t want to make you feel uncomfortable.”
“I’ll be uncomfortable knowing how uncomfortable you are if you sleep in your jeans,” she said.
“Duly noted.” Jax took off his jeans under the covers, and Mia felt an urge to peep under the covers. Of course, she was a good girl and didn’t do that.
“What would you like a story about?”
Mia thought for a moment, enjoying the warmth radiating from Jax's body next to hers. “Tell me a story about a braveknight who rescues a princess from a dragon,” she said with a soft smile.
Jax chuckled, the sound rumbling through his chest. “Alright, here we go. Once upon a time, in a far-off kingdom, there lived a fierce dragon. This dragon terrorized the land, burning villages and capturing maidens.”
Mia listened intently, her eyes fixed on Jax’s face as he wove the tale of the brave knight who dared to challenge the beast. His voice was soothing, lulling her into a sense of security she hadn’t felt in years.
“As the knight approached the dragon’s lair, his heart pounded with fear,” Jax continued. “But he knew he had to be strong for the princess counting on him.”
Mia felt her eyelids grow heavy as Jax’s voice washed over her like a warm blanket. She snuggled closer to him, feeling his comforting presence beside her. The combination of his deep voice and the gentle rise and fall of his chest as he spoke made her feel oddly safe.
“And when the knight finally faced the dragon,” Jax’s voice lowered, taking on a dramatic tone, “he didn’t fight with swords or shields. Instead, he used his wit and compassion to reach the creature’s heart.”
Mia felt a rush of emotion at Jax’s words, a lump forming in her throat. It was as if he was speaking directly to her, unlocking something inside that she had kept hidden for so long.
“The dragon, touched by the knight’s kindness, revealed that it was not a monster but a lost soul seeking understanding,” Jax continued softly. “In the end, the princess, the knight, and the dragon formed an unlikely bond built on trust and acceptance.”
