Legendary Daddy by Mia Monroe (each kindness read aloud txt) 📕

I cup his chin, overcome once more by the emotions he creates in me. It feels like that moment when you dive into the ocean. The waves swirl around you, knocking you slightly off-balance, but it feels good. Makes you happy. “Bentley…”

His bottom lip quivers. “Yes?”

“It’s, um, kind of overwhelming how you make me feel sometimes. I’ve wanted to take things slowly. Carefully. I didn’t want to make a mistake, and I didn’t want you to make one either.”

He nods.

“It’s easy for me to get caught up and not look at things clearly. I was so afraid I would just fall into you and forget who I am again. That’s not what’s happening though.”

He bites his lip before catching it and nodding nervously. I can see in his eyes how desperately he wants my words of love and commitment, and, for once, that doesn’t scare me.

“When your stepdad challenged me, I felt it all rise to the surface. All the emotion I’ve had walled up in my cautious acceptance of this relationship. The truth is, Bentley, I’m happier than I’ve ever been. I’m uncharacteristically optimistic about the future. I know, with absolute certainty, that future is you. With you by my side, I can rule the world.” I take his hands in mine. I can do this. I’m ready. “I love you, Bentley.”

A sob leaves his lips as his eyes flutter. “Really?”

“Absolutely. Completely. Wholly.”

A tear streaks down his cheek. “I knew you did. I could feel it. I believed it in my heart, but nothing compares to actually hearing it. I have never heard anything more beautiful.”

Smiling, I cup his cheek. “I felt it before I had enough nerve to admit it. You’re only the second person I’ve ever said it to, but you’re the first time I know it’s right.”

His breath catches. “You’re gonna make me bawl like a baby.”

“If you need to, you can with me. You can feel and be anything with me.”

“I know.” His voice breaks. “I’ve…whew.” He exhales, smiling with glassy eyes. “I loved you before I knew you. In my heart and my mind, I knew the kind of man I wanted to spend my forever with. I hoped it was you, but come on, other than vision boards and wishing, the chances seemed kind of slim that I would actually meet you. That’s why I believe it wasn’t up to us. Fate or destiny or the universe, whatever you want to call it, had plans for us, and my heart knew after one evening with you, you were the one. I just had to be patient and wait for you to see it too.”

“I caught up.”

He smiles. “I love you, Legend. It started as infatuation, then it was a crush, but then, it was what my heart was waiting for.”

His words settle something inside me that I didn’t know needed it. It takes me a few stunned moments to react. “Wow.”

“What?”

“You’re right. Hearing words I desperately needed is one of the most amazing moments I’ve experienced. I’m astounded by how good it feels.”

Bentley smiles. “You look amazing right now. Peaceful and happy.”

“I am because of you.”

“This is kind of awesome. Being in love is cool.”

“Very cool.” I pull him to me by the waist. “What do you say we order some dessert and a bottle of champagne from room service, take a hot bath, and make love until we both collapse?”

His whole face lights up, filling my chest with love at the same time. “I think that sounds perfect, Daddy.”

A few days later, back in LA, I’m sitting on the couch with my laptop while Bentley and Finn are out sightseeing. An ad catches my eye, and before I even think about it, I’m clicking on it. Hit with sudden inspiration, I scroll through the ready-to-purchase options. Bentley is about to be the proud recipient of a cock cage, a new set of lace panties, and a collar, which can be personalized.

My cell phone buzzes, and I smile when I see Bentley’s name. “Hey, sweet boy.”

“Daddy.”

His distressed voice makes me sit up straight. “What’s wrong?”

“It’s Ramos. I brought Finn over to my old neighborhood. I asked a few people about Ramos, and they said he’s in the hospital. He was shot, Daddy.”

His voice is so sad it breaks my heart. “But he’s okay?”

“I don’t know. I want to go visit him.”

“Which hospital? I’ll meet you there.”

Twenty minutes later, I’m dressed and headed to the hospital. After parking, I walk inside, following directions to Bentley as we talk on the phone. I find him inside a room. Ramos is lying in the bed, looking much smaller than he did before, but not in as bad of shape as I worried he might be.

When he sees me, he shakes his head. “You guys didn’t need to come see me. I’m all right.”

“Are you?” I ask.

He nods. “They got the bullets out and my stats are looking good. I’m getting stronger every day. I could get out any day now they said.”

“What happened?” Bentley asks.

He shrugs. “It all went down so fast. I was sitting on the steps, and I noticed this car kept cruising by, slowing down. It made me worried, you know?”

We all nod.

“Then I saw these guys on the corner. I just knew some shit was about to go down. I’m about to leave, but this mom and her baby come walking down the sidewalk. I want to warn her, right?” He shakes his head. “Then the bullets just started, man. Instinct, I threw myself on the mom and her kid. All of a sudden, there was so much pain, I thought I was dying. The woman called the ambulance for me. I was shot in my back twice, but she and the baby were okay, so I feel good about that.”

“You’re a hero,” Bentley says.

“Nah. I’m just a guy from the hood. Didn’t want to see no baby get shot.”

“Who’s taking care of you when you’re released?” I ask.

Ramos chuckles