Page 30 of Daddy's Reckoning

“It’s probably jumping the gun with the swing set and stuff,” I admitted. “But I wanted you to see…”

She shook her head, apparently speechless. Her hand flew to her chest. Tears welled in her eyes.

“I can’t believe… I can’t believe you did this. It’s so crazy. Like, really, really crazy that you could just get this all done in what… three days?”

“Something like that.” I offered a tight grin. I knew it was one of those ridiculous things that only people with gross amounts of money at their disposal could pull off. I didn’t like to do things the easy way like this, but… this was an emergency. Special circumstances.

“You know that’s insane, right?”

I nodded curtly. “I do.”

She shook her head. “Show me more?” Her eyebrows scrunched. “Is there more?”

“I mean, there’s my room and office, and the laundry room. Dining room. Nothing exciting.”

“I want to see it all.”

I smiled to myself as I turned and carried her out of the room. My plan was definitely working.

CHAPTER 8

ERIN

Dammit all to hell. How was I supposed to stay mad or even steadfast in my plan to not fall for him and his empty, obligated gestures if he went and did shit like this? The house was perfect. And not just perfect, but like, beyond. Whether it had been coincidence or very intentional, Theo had remembered all the small stuff I’d said in the past about wanting a fireplace in my bedroom someday, and loving light airy kitchens with old fashioned cabinets and top-of-the-line appliances.

And the nursery… I’d been fully prepared to hate it, to rip him a new one for picking things out without me. I thought it would be easy to dismiss his style as all wrong, or be mad that he hadn’t included me in the decision-making process. But all I’d been when he opened the door was floored. Enchanted, really.

He’d taken me through the rest of the house, and I’d had to laugh when I saw that his bedroom and office were set up exactly the same as his current one, down to the books on the nightstand. He was, after all, a creature of habit.

I didn’t want to leave, but Theo said we had to, at least long enough to pack up. Once we were back at his apartment and I was away from the magic allure of the new house and all its charm, it was easier to be mad.

He sent me to his room to rest while he packed up his things and then mine, and while I laid on the bed, staying put as I was told, I was able to regain perspective. When he came in, rolling two suitcases behind him, I glared.

“This doesn’t mean anything, you know.”

He leveled me with an even-keeled stare. “I never said it did. I’m just tired of sleeping on a lumpy futon, and not about to let you go home and fend for yourself. This was the only solution that made sense.”

“Does it make sense?” I countered. “You can’t just walk half a block to work anymore. It’s clear across town.”

He rolled his eyes. “I’m sure I’ll manage. The sacrifice is worth it. Besides, I’ll be working from home for the foreseeable future.”

“What?”

That surprised me. From what I knew of Penthouse LTD—the corporation that housed their business ventures—the business practically ran itself, but most of the members still went into the office at least four times a week, and out of everyone, Theo’s role was the most important and time-consuming. He kept regular 9-to-5 hours, but he kept them religiously, with very few exceptions. And he never worked from home.

“I want to be close by in case you need anything,” he explained with a shrug. He was opening drawers, pulling out boxers, t-shirts, and jeans, and piling them into a large suitcase I was sure was designer.

I wasn’t sure why he was packing jeans; he never wore them, anyway, but maybe that was because he dressed for work.

“Theo, I can manage on my own for eight hours a day,” I said, exasperation heavy in my tone. “I’ve been doing it for ages.”

He just tossed me a chagrined smile over his shoulder. “Indulge me.”

He moved to the bathroom then, and the argument, if it could be called that, stalled as he pulled open drawers and cabinets, packing up whatever I was sure he thought were necessities. I was honestly surprised he hadn’t had that stuff stocked, too. I wouldn’t have put it past him just to order a whole second wardrobe for the new house.

He was back after a few minutes, moving to the closet and nightstand. I stifled a laugh when he dragged out not one, but two matching garment bags, and started carefully tucking in all his work clothes. I think I counted about ten full suits, along with the coordinating shirts and ties. That was more like the Theo I knew.

I watched as he reached to the top shelf, withdrawing a leather case I knew held a vast array of BDSM implements.