Total pages in book: 158
Estimated words: 160684 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 803(@200wpm)___ 643(@250wpm)___ 536(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 160684 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 803(@200wpm)___ 643(@250wpm)___ 536(@300wpm)
She was glad he said that.
“That’s it, Daddy G. And now take a bow.” Effie clapped her hands. “You look so pretty! And you did an excellent spin. You only stumbled once.”
“I cannot believe you agreed to this.” Steele shook his head, his lips twitching as he took in Grady.
The other man had on a tutu, a pair of boxers and nothing else.
He looked utterly ridiculous.
But Steele’s gaze still ate him up. And he had to work hard to keep his dick under control.
“It’s your turn now, Daddy.” Effie turned to him.
His eyes grew wide. “Uh, no, it isn’t.”
She dug her hand into the jar of jelly beans and he reached over to grab the container, pulling it away.
“Hey, my bean-beans!” She made gimme signs with her hands. “Mine! Mine!”
“You’ve had enough.”
“But it’s my birthday! I want to eat my beans! You said that beans were a good form of iron.”
“Actual beans, baby. Not jelly beans. These will just rot your teeth.”
“But it’s my birthday! I can eat whatever I want on my birthday.”
“I’m afraid not. You can have some cake after dinner, but that’s it.”
“Daddy is being mean, Daddy G,” she complained. “A poopy head.”
“I believe there is such a thing as a birthday spanking,” Grady said as he approached her. She jumped to her feet and looked around, as though searching for somewhere to hide.
But Grady grabbed her and, putting a foot up on the chair she’d been sitting in, he turned her over his thigh to give her several smacks.
Fuck.
Yeah. It was hard work keeping his dick under control.
Grady set her back on her feet with a grin. Effie turned to Steele and her pout turned into a smile. An evil smile.
“Your turn, Daddy!”
Great. Just great.
“Hey guys.”
Steele glanced up as Brooks walked up to them, dressed in his swimming trunks.
“Everything okay?” Steele asked.
He and Grady were sitting outside by the pool later that day. It was dark out, but the pool area was well lit. They’d all had a great day celebrating the birthday girl. Now they were giving Effie time to talk to her friend, April before they went inside and took her to bed.
“Yeah, everything’s good,” Brooks said, taking a seat across the outdoor dining table from them. “I wanted to talk to you for a moment.”
Grady took a sip of beer as he nodded.
“I just wanted to say this. Growing up, I can’t remember a day going by where Effie wasn’t laughing, dancing, singing. She was always so happy. My dad used to tell me it was because she felt safe. That she knew she was protected with us. Not just physically, but that we gave her a safe space where she could be herself.”
Steele nodded. He knew Brooks didn’t really need a reply. He just had to get this out.
“I never understood what he meant. Not until he died and Effie’s sense of safety died with him.”
Okay, that part Steele didn’t like, but he kept his mouth shut.
“It took her a while to recover and I had to go into foster care. They were good people, they treated me well. But I had just lost my dad and the only mom I’d ever known. Aunt Effie came for me, though, as soon as she was well enough. She’s always been there for me when I needed her. But she didn’t sing or dance or really smile for a long time. And even then . . . it wasn’t the same. She’d dance when she thought no one was looking. Or sometimes she’d sing in the car. And she’d smile and be happy. But she wasn’t fully safe without Dad there to take care of her. And I couldn’t really give her that. She hasn’t had that since he died. Not until the two of you.”
“Brooks, you are the world to her.” Steele never wanted the kid to think that they were pushing him out.
Grady nodded in agreement but stayed quiet.
Brooks grinned. “Relax. I know my place in her life. I come first.” It was said without boasting but with total confidence. Damn, Effie had done a good job with this boy.
Effie and Joe.
He glanced over at Grady, who was watching them both steadily.
“What I’m trying to say is thank you. I know things were different between Aunt Effie and my dad than they are with the two of you. But you’ve given her back that safe space where she can be herself and she knows that not only is she not judged, but she’s loved and protected.”
“Fuck, kid. You’re far too smart for me,” Steele muttered.
“Smart and caring,” Grady noted. “Something we never were at your age.”
“You forgot good-looking,” Brooks boasted. “Of course, you two still ain’t that.” He shot up with a laugh before either of them could grab him and ran to the pool, jumping in.