Page 1 of Healing Daddy

Chapter One

Forthefourthweekendin a row, JJ hung out at The PlayPen and played with the Littles. He wasn’t really daddy material. JJ sure as fuck wasn’t a Little. He just didn’t hate the world when he was here. Since JJ’s life had been ruined a while back, he couldn’t shake the bitterness that filled every corner of his soul. For a whole lot of drama that wasn’t his, JJ had ended up abducted, tortured, and missing his right hand. Since he was right-handed, this was a major life change for him. It was his job to guard the Bosi family. Considering Bosi was the biggest weapons dealer on the West Coast, his inability to use a gun with his left hand had made him virtually useless. But sitting here with people who had chosen a simpler life, he didn’t feel as angry as he was all the time when he wasn’t at The PlayPen. Specifically, when he was at The PlayPen with Leary.

Leary was a Little who had befriended JJ. He always wore footed pajamas and loved for JJ to read to him. Currently, he scooted around on his knees, pushing a toy car in a circle around JJ. Everyone at the private club called Leary Bean. JJ would be goddamned if he called the guy that. While Leary seemed fine with the insulting name—supposedly they called him that because he was round— there was absolutely nothing wrong with Leary’s body. JJ fucking hated that Leary just accepted the bullying. He understood Leary didn’t want anyone to know his real name anyway. Still, JJ liked him a lot and hated the disrespect.

“I can help with that, you know?”

JJ blinked. He had been lost in thought and had no clue what Leary meant. “What?”

Leary sat back on his heels. While still staring at his car, he motioned toward JJ’s missing hand. “If you’re not happy, I can help.”

“If you’re about to tell me you have a spell that regrows hands, then I’m in.”

Leary’s chuckled. His chin lifted. He wore a huge grin. His deep green eyes sparkled as they focused on JJ, taking away all the pressure still weighing his shoulders down. Leary scooted his way. “I’ll tell you, but it’s a secret, okay?”

JJ fought a smile. “Cross my heart.” He drew an X across his chest to prove his secrecy.

Leary nodded, seeming appeased by the promise. He crawled as close as he could get to JJ. “I have to whisper it to you.” He crawled to JJ’s side and cupped JJ’s ear. “I’m an orthopedic surgeon.”

JJ turned his head. Their faces were inches apart. His eyes still looked pure as hell, as if he hadn’t just admitted to being a complete badass.

He crooked his finger, beckoning JJ closer again.

JJ allowed him to whisper in his ear another time.

“I’m part of a team that works with bionic prosthetics.”

He was blown away by that confession. No way would he have guessed that was what Leary did for a living. He turned his head again. JJ couldn’t stop thinking about how beautiful Leary’s eyes were up close. Not that they weren’t always gorgeous. “That’s amazing, sweetie. Very impressive. Sounds like you’re pretty damn smart.”

Leary’s face turned bright red. He looked away. “No. I’m just me, but you can still come see me at work sometime and I can help, if you want.” He shrugged as if uncomfortable and certain JJ would never choose him for something like this.

His head shot up and he met JJ's gaze. Leary looked horrified. “Not that I don’t think you’re perfect just as you are. Because you are, perfect, I mean.” His face was bright red again.

JJ couldn’t help the smile that spread across his lips. This was the only place he smiled. It hit JJ, this was the only person who made him feel good. JJ’s gaze moved over Leary’s face. He truly was adorable.

“You have beautiful eyes.”

Somehow, Leary’s face got redder. “You don’t have to say that. I know I’m not pretty.”

JJ blinked. “Who in the hell told you that? You’re adorable.”

Leary grabbed his car and went back to playing without responding.

JJ wasn’t having it. He was ready to find whoever had squashed Leary’s confidence and destroy them. He might be right-handed but he could slit a throat with his left. For now, he couldn’t let Leary retreat.

“What do you do outside of this club?”

“Work, mostly.” Leary never looked his way as he answered. He just kept pushing his car around the track design on the rug. “What do you do?”

Oh, no. Leary didn’t know he was on team bad guy. “Um… I work for the owner of this club’s dad.”

Leary finally sat back on his heels and gave JJ his undivided attention again. “I know that, silly. What do you do besides that?I know you’re not a daddy. You’re obviously not a Little, so what do you do for fun?”

“I hang out with you. Would you like me to read to you?”

Leary shook his head. “I have too many ants in my pants tonight.”

JJ bit the inside of his cheek to keep from laughing. “Do you want to go get ice cream and then go to the park?”