Page 42 of Room Thirty: Perfect Little Doll

“You’re not as difficult as you guys like to think you are.”

“Maybe,” he mumbled. “Or maybe you think that because you’re the one for us.”The one for us.The words repeated in my head, and my heart fluttered.

“You really think, umm, we could be an, well, us?”

“I know we can.”

“I do, too.” “Me too,” the two other agreed with a confidence I felt like a big warm hug that made you feel safe and cozy.

“We wouldn’t have made a move if we didn’t think so, baby.”

“And the daddy thing?” I asked, because as much as I loved it in the moment and had always been curious, I wasn’t sure I could do it around others.

Ronan looked toward the men, and Carey cleared his throat. Silently, they switched spots, and before I knew it, Carey was in front of me. His large rough hands held mine steady. His warmth filled me from the inside out as the pads of his thumbs stroked the top of my hands.

“Have you played before, Serena?” His eyes were on mine. I didn’t have to turn to look at the other two. If anything, I could have sworn they shifted forward, scooching in a little closer to me.

“Honestly?” I asked, and he nodded. “No.” I shook my head, hating that I might be disappointing them. What if that changed everything?What if they don’t want me now?The thought literally made my heart hurt.

“Hey, where did you go?” Carey’s intense gaze searched mine.

“Are you guys disappointed?” I asked, not able to mask the way my voice shook slightly.

“Serena, look at me,” Fox called, and I turned to look at him over my shoulder. “There is nothing you could say or do that would disappoint us.”

“I’ve wanted to,” I rushed to confess. “I’ve, the, umm…” My face felt hot, but I plowed through the nerves and fear because I didn’t have to feel those knee-jerk emotions when it came to them. “I’ve always been drawn toward the concept of… someone being in charge.”

“Dominating you?”

“Yes.” I nodded. “But more than that. Someone who—”I licked my lips as my eyes dropped to Fox’ neck.

“Baby, you gotta give me those pretty, brown eyes.” I did as he asked, staring into his ocean-blue ones. “There you are.” He smiled. “More like what?”

“A daddy,” I whispered. “Someone who wants the best for me. Someone not to take care of my financially or anything, but someone I can trust to…”

“Have your best interests at heart?”

“Yes,” I answered softly.

“To love you?” Ronan asked, moving a little closer.

“Yes.”

“To protect you and please you?” Carey asked. My eyes were already on his, my head nodding.

“You wanted a daddy.”

“Yes, but…”

“What?”

“I don’t think I could give that kind of control up in my real life. One day, I want to finish school. I want to be a lawyer and still be independent.”

“But you want someone to come home to and hand over all that responsibility and just be spoiled? Protected and cared for?”

“God, yes!” That sounded like a dream. “Is that what you guys could maybe be into?”

“We’ve never been daddies, but we realized with you, that’s all we want to be. Because it’s you. Do you get what I’m saying, Serena?” Carey asked.