22. Zane

Looking over her head at Jace, he felt like his heart was cracking in half. Their sweet little Ruby sounded so shocked and uncertain that they wanted her. If only she knew how much they’d been hoping to find the right Little for them.

“Yes, baby girl. We really, truly want you. You’re it for us. Unless you decide you don’t want us or you tell us you’re secretly married or something, we aren’t letting you go,” Zane told her.

She looked at him and then at Jace before lowering her eyes to her lap.

“Well, I didn’t really want you guys to find out about my husband…”

Zane felt as though he’d stopped breathing and his blood turned ice cold at her words. She was married? Shit. What had they done?

When she lifted her head to look up at him, she was grinning.

“Just kidding, Zaddy! Sheesh. Calm down. You look like you might pass out,” she said, giggling.

Staring down at her in complete shock, he didn’t know if he wanted to spank her, fuck her, or kiss her. Maybe a little of each.

“Ruby Elizabeth,” he said quietly.

Her eyes widened at the mention of her middle name and Zane smiled inside at the look of surprise on her face. Little did she know, he’d memorized everything from her membership application. She looked from him to Jace, who raised his eyebrows and tilted his head.

“That wasn’t very nice, little girl. I knew you were joking but Zane didn’t, and I think you scared him,” Jace said.

Dropping her shoulders, she turned back to Zane and cupped his face with both hands.

“I’m sorry, Zaddy. I shouldn’t have teased you like that. I promise there are no secret husbands or boyfriends or any of that,” she said softly before leaning forward to press her lips to his.

Her soft lips instantly melted him and before he realized it, he was kissing her back. It wasn’t a rough kiss like he would usually give. No, this time she was controlling it and he was loving the way she was showing him she cared. When she released his lips and stared down at him, he studied her for a long moment.

“Don’t scare me like that again, little one. My heart can’t handle it,” he told her.

Ruby nodded, running her fingers along his jawline. “I won’t, Zaddy. I’s sorry.”

He nodded and relaxed his head against the back of the rocker.

“Do you want us, Ruby? The whole package? Two overprotective demanding Daddies?” Zane asked.

As much as she seemed to need reassurance, they did, too. They’d been burned before and while they had no idea what her past was like, it was obvious she’d been hurt.

“I want you guys more than anything. I’ve always dreamed of having a Daddy. Someone who cares about me and my feelings and who takes care of me, sets boundaries for me, plays with me, and spends time with me. I’ve fantasized about it all and in all of my fantasies, the Daddies I thought about were just like you guys. It’s just a bonus that I get two of you instead of one.”

Wow. Maybe all the bad relationships they’d had happened for a reason. Maybe it was something they had to go through in order to find and appreciate what a wonderful and amazing woman Ruby was.

“I’m happy to hear that, baby. I think Jace is, too,” he said.

She looked over at Jace who nodded and then back at Zane.

“Will you guys play with me?” she asked.

Grinning, Zane set her down on the floor and patted her bottom. “Of course, baby girl. What are we playing?”

Ruby walked over to the dress-up corner and turned back toward the men with a mischievous smile.

“Dress up, of course. Zaddy, you’re up first. Do you want to be a princess or a donkey?”

Oh, boy.

“You look like an idiot,” Jace whispered.

Zane grinned. “Better to be an ass than wearing a sequined tutu and a Rapunzel wig.”

His best friend flipped him off since Ruby’s back was turned. She was bent over the bin full of clothing looking for accessories to go with Jace’s outfit. Zane had opted to be the donkey, although he had no idea why the hell there was a donkey costume in her dress-up bin in the first place.

“Daddy, you look so pretty! Oh, look, I found makeup! Can I put makeup on you?” she asked Jace.

Zane snorted while Jace looked at Ruby incredulously.

“I don’t think I need any makeup, baby. Aren’t I pretty just the way I am?” Jace asked.

“Oh, no, I definitely think he needs makeup, little one, don’t you?” Zane asked.

Jace shot daggers his way, making him laugh harder.

“Shut up, you ass,” Jace said.

Ruby giggled. “No swearing, Daddy! Besides, Zaddy’s right. I think you needs some lipstick.”

His friend’s face softened as they both stared down at her, realizing she was deep in Little Space and seemingly having a great time.

Nodding his head, Jace smiled. “Okay, baby girl. Whatever you say. Make me beautiful.”

Thank fuck Zane had agreed to be the ass.