Legendary Daddy - Mia Monroe (10 ebook reader .TXT) 📗

don’t have to miss it,” Sharod continues. “Seems to me you have an opportunity right in front of you.”

I squeeze Bentley’s shoulder. “I do. I’m very lucky.”

The bathroom door opens, and Taylor comes out looking freshly showered, his long hair up in a messy bun. He dresses while Sharod takes the bathroom.

“How was it?” Taylor asks.

“Amazing. You guys looked good.”

Taylor smiles, his eyes lingering on mine. As he slinks across the room toward me, I tense, my eyes shooting to Bentley, who is distracted with packing up his equipment.

“So, Legend,” Taylor purrs, licking his bottom lip. “I’ve wanted to meet you for a long time. Anything I can do to entice you back into performing?” He puts his hands on my chest. His nails are perfectly manicured, slightly long, and painted a pale pink. “I think we’d be magic together.”

Gently, I move his hands off my chest. “I’m not performing, but I’ll keep you in mind.”

“I’m your type. You can toss me around all you like.”

My eyes shift to Bentley, who is still not paying attention.

“Thank you, Taylor. You’re very beautiful.”

Taylor glances over his shoulder at Bentley. “Unless you already have eyes for someone else.”

“Never know what my next move might be.”

He bats his long lashes at me. Before Bentley, I would’ve been all over Taylor, but his kind of beauty doesn’t light me up anymore.

“You know where to find me.”

“I do. Thanks, Taylor.”

“Ciao.” He blows me a kiss then joins Sharod as the two chat with Bentley before leaving. Once they leave, I help Bentley finish packing up, then we turn on the security alarm and lock the doors. He’s oddly silent, but I wait until we’re in the car before I address it.

I reach for his hand, squeezing it gently. “You okay?”

He nods. “Yes.” He shifts away, gazing out the window.

I’m tempted to use my Daddy-voice on him, but I decide to give him space to process whatever is on his mind. Once we’re inside my house and settled on the couch, I know we have to talk. He’s not even cuddling.

“What’s wrong, Bentley?”

“Nothing.”

“Bentley.”

His eyes widen. “Daddy-voice,” he groans. “So not fair. I’m powerless to resist it.”

“Would you please talk to me? Did I do something wrong?”

“No, of course not. I guess…” He shakes his head. “Please don’t make me talk.”

“Do you want a cuddle instead?”

He shakes his head, his eyes focused on his sneakers. Something has him upset.

“Please, Bentley.” I use my softest voice. “It hurts me to think you’re sad. I want to fix it if I can. Please.”

His eyes shift up to me. “That wasn’t Daddy-voice.”

“No. It was me just asking you to tell me what’s going on. I don’t want to make you. I want you to want to.”

He nods. “Um. Okay. That’s very respectful, so I guess I’ll try.”

He picks at his cuticle for a second before clenching his fists. “I told you that I know the difference between real life and performing. I meant that.”

“Okay.”

“But Taylor was flirting with you. A lot. He...touched you.”

I blink rapidly, trying to recall the interaction. “Do you mean when he put his hand on my chest?”

Bentley nods. “It was the way he did it. I heard him. He said you could be magic together, and then he…” He bites his lips until he corrects it. “He implied you might like me, but you didn’t admit it. Maybe you’re embarrassed by me. I’m so plain compared to Taylor. I guess it made me sad to see what you could have instead of me.”

My blood nearly boils over. “Bentley. Babe. You can’t be serious?”

“I don’t like it when I’m a secret.” He twists so he’s facing away from me. “I’ve been a secret a lot of times, and I don’t like it.”

My heart pulls in my chest. “Bentley. Please look at me.”

“No.”

“Bentley.”

He huffs, twisting slightly toward me. A few seconds later, he shifts his eyes up, and when I see them filled with tears, I can’t resist, and I pull him into my arms. He sniffs as he buries his face in my chest. Slowly, his arms wrap around me.

“I can try to be prettier if you want,” he whimpers. “I’ll be anything you want, but I don’t want to be a secret.”

Rubbing his back, I press a kiss to the top of his head. “Baby. You are not a secret.” I pull him back, forcing him to look at me. Ah, shit. His face is flushed, nose red, eyes damp. “Why do you think you’re a secret? What did I say to make you think that?”

“You could’ve told him I was yours, but you didn’t. You avoided it. Taylor is so glamorous, and he’s like Arian, and I’m not. I could try—”

“Stop.” Bentley snaps his mouth shut. “I hate to break the news to you, but you’ve gotten yourself upset for no reason. I adore you, Bentley. Adore. I think you’re stunning, and one thousand times more beautiful than Taylor and Arian combined.”

He shakes his head. “You’re just saying that to be nice or something.”

“I told you before I don’t say things I don’t mean. You’re right that Taylor and Arian have a lot in common in the looks department. So do a million other boys on Instagram. Do you know why I prefer your beauty?”

He shakes his head, sniffling as he clings to my T-shirt.

“Because it’s all real. That blush on your cheeks, the pink of your lips, the thickness of your lashes. Your smile is genuine and made of pure joy and sunshine. When you laugh…” I shake my head, smiling. “It’s my favorite sound. You look the same when you go to sleep and when you wake up. You’re sexy, funny, sweet, and everything this broken-hearted Daddy needed. Needs.” I correct myself. “Present tense. I need you, Bentley. You make me happy, and it’s been a long time since I’ve felt this good.”

He studies my eyes, his lips twisted. “Why didn’t you tell Taylor I was yours then?”

“Two reasons. We hadn’t discussed it yet,