Daddy’s Little Pet

RENEE

“Are we there yet?” I asked impatiently as Robert continued leading me to wherever his hands covering my eyes.

We’d been walking for nearly a half hour since he’d pulled over by the side of the road, and I had no idea where we were or where he was taking me.

Because his nose nuzzled the soft strands of my hair, his words were muffled, but I heard him say, “Yes, we are.”

“Then let me see.”

“Sure.” He muttered, kissing my right cheek chastely before removing his hands from my face, and I softly gasped.

My vision was distorted and hazy at first, so adjusting took some time, but it soon cleared.

“Woah, Robert!” I exclaimed as I stared at the magnificent building in front of me.

It was a mansion-a huge structure-the kind where wealthy people lived with their families over generations. My eyes widened even more.

The view was breathtaking, and the mansion stood proud, its massive facade reflecting the evening sky above. The dawning sunset painted the sky with orange and purple hues, and I wondered if I was imagining this.

I looked around, admiring the well-kept garden surrounding the massive house.

By the left, an arched top gate was the entrance and probably where we came in from. To the right was an old-fashioned fountain surrounded by white benches, with water splashing in the air.

“Wow! Where are…” As I turned around, I saw Robert waving at a man dressed in a dark suit who’d appeared from inside the building.

Who was that man?

Was he one of Robert’s employees watching over this place? As my gaze shifted from Robert to him, I wondered incredulously.

As the man approached us with a wide grin, Robert grabbed my hand and smiled reassuringly.

“Good day, Mr. Bradley. How are you?” Robert asked cheerfully, clasping the man’s extended hands.

“Excellent, Mr. Clarke. And you?

“I’m doing fine.” Robert replied as he wrapped his arms around my shoulders and added, “This is Miss Renee, my lovely girlfriend.”

He called me his girlfriend with such warmth that I blushed and looking up at him, his eyes twinkled.

“Is this the infamous Miss Renee?” The older gentleman asked, and Robert chuckled while I continued to stare at him, this time in confusion.

“Infamous, Miss Renee?” Robert must have talked to or told him about me.

“Nice to meet you, Miss Renee, and welcome home.”

“Home?” I blurted as I accepted the man’s outstretched hands, my gaze still on Robert. I waited for him to say something, but he didn’t.

“I think that will be all for now, Mr. Bradley.” Robert finally said, clearing his throat, and the still-smiling man nodded.

“We will be inside with you shortly. You can go on ahead.” Robert finished, and the gentleman returned to the building with another nod.

With his left arm wrapped around my waist, Robert led me toward the water fountain.

As we walked, my curiosity soon got the best of me, and I asked sharply, “Who was that, Robert?”

“That was the estate manager. He’s the realtor who sold me this place.” He said as we stopped by the fountain.

“Okay. So…”

His arm slid across my shoulder, spinning me around twice until I faced him.

He was staring at me tenderly, his hands going to my face and cupping my cheeks, but he was still not saying anything as I’d expected.

“What is this beautiful place, Robert?” I asked again. “Mr. Bradley stated-”

“This is what I’ve been planning for you these past few days, Renee.” He cut me off before I could finish, and I scoffed at what he said.

“Huh?”

His expression changed again, and his hands began to roam all over my body as if looking for something.

“Robert, what is this place?” I asked again, giggling at his tickles. “Speak to me.”

“Welcome home, Renee.” He said with a grin, and my head spun.Content rights by NôvelDr//ama.Org.

Everything was starting to make sense.

He’d been here Saturday evening when I’d called and pestered him to tell me where he was. This was the surprise he’d promised me. The-

“Oh my! You mean you-”

“I got us a place. A home.”

“I… I don’t understand. How? When?” I gaped, completely dumbfounded, as I looked around.

“I bought this place a few days after I arrived in Orlando before we reconciled. I’d planned it before coming to this city, and it was one of the first steps toward getting you back.”

“Rob… Robert…” My lips quivered.

“I bought this place because I wanted to be in Orlando with you permanently. If you want to live in this city indefinitely, that’s fine. I’ll be right here with you.”

Tears burned at the back of my eyes as I looked back at the mansion. I asked softly, “Do you mean this, Robert? You don’t care about your business headquarters in New York or-”

“Renee, I’m my own boss. I can do whatever I want, and I could easily relocate my headquarters to any location-any city.”

“Wow.”

“I purchased this property to show you my dedication and commitment, Renee. I’m intent on building our relationship, and I’ve already made you the center of my universe just so you know. Everything I’m doing now is because of you. I know there are still things you need to know about me, and I’m sorry I haven’t told you yet, but I will in due time. Never doubt my feelings for you, Renee. Never question them. I adore you, and…”

As my mind spun, his words trailed off, fading into nothing.

I caught sight of his pursed lips as he locked his gaze on me, obviously waiting for me to say something- anything. But I couldn’t make a sound.

I was stunned, and it took me about a minute to comprehend what he’d just said and recover from the shock he’d inflicted on me.

Robert purchased a property here. In Orlando-our house. Just like he’d called it.

He left New York to look for me after our first parting, and what had started slowly was blossoming into this strong connection between us.

Robert loved me without a doubt. He cherished me so much that he was committing to me.

Damn! It was all too much to process. Everything felt surreal.

“Renee, is everything okay?”

“Yes, yes…” I rasped and took a step closer to him. I threw myself into his arms, tears flowing freely down my face effortlessly as I hugged him.

“Renee! Are you crying?” He asked as he gently patted my back, trying to calm me down, “Why are you crying? Stop! It bothers me.”

“I’m shedding tears of joy because this is too much, Robert.” I continued, sniffing against his broad chest. “You’re doing all of this for me, and-”

“And I’ll do it all again, Renee. I’ve never felt more certain of anything in my life.”

“Fuck! Robert. I love you.” I muttered, my teary eyes blinking as I continued whispering the L word over and over again. “I love you so much, it hurts.”

“I love you too, baby girl. I fucking love you so much. Renee…” He mumbled huskily, his hands snaking up my neck, and I gasped.

“Robert… yes?” I croaked out and felt him softly grip my hair and bring our faces close together. He then placed his lips on mine and sensually kissed me.

My eyelids fluttered close as I melted into him, giving him my all and everything I had.

How could I let this nearly perfect man go?

We’d grown this bond in such a short time, and I began to wonder what would’ve happened to me if he hadn’t appeared in my life at the time he did.

What would I be if he didn’t exist? I had no answer.

In this magnetic moment, with his arms wrapped around my small body, safely cocooning me, I realized how much I adored this man, despite his waning secrets.

I knew I wanted to be with him forever, and there was no way I was letting my feelings for him fade again like I had the last time we said our goodbyes.

Never again, Renee. Never again!