Total pages in book: 133
Estimated words: 134598 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 673(@200wpm)___ 538(@250wpm)___ 449(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 134598 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 673(@200wpm)___ 538(@250wpm)___ 449(@300wpm)
The words didn’t always make much sense and he kept repeating himself. She hated to think how often he called her a good girl.
And yet those words settled in her stomach, in her heart, even in her head.
They slowly started to heal old pain and hurt.
Not fully.
But it was a beginning.
This was similar to when she’d been sucking him off. It felt like the rest of the world faded away. She felt like she could breathe without a heavy weight on her chest trying to hold her down.
It was freeing.
She reached up with her thumb and placed it in her mouth.
“My baby. You’ve been through so much. It’s time to let someone else take all of these worries you have and watch over you.”
That sounded amazing.
She yawned.
“Someone needs a nap.” He stood up with her in his arms.
Cate let out a disgruntled noise, clinging to him. She didn’t want to move. She was so comfy right where she was.
“You don’t have to move. I’m just going to get your blanket and pacifier.”
He walked into the bedroom and managed to grab what he wanted without letting her go.
Then he returned to the sofa and settled with her on his lap once more. The blanket over her.
And her pacifier in her mouth.
As he held her tight, she drifted off to sleep.
Fuck.
Had anything ever felt so right? Ethan settled back onto the sofa even though all of the cushions were on the floor.
He couldn’t believe that she’d done that. It was so unlike Cate. Well, adult Cate.
Not that he cared that she’d done it. He wasn’t worried about dealing with a tantrum. All he wanted was for her to be safe. So he drew the line at her trying to lift things that were far too heavy.
He couldn’t believe that he’d spanked her. And now she was lying on him, asleep.
Her trust in him was growing.
Reaching for the TV remote, he turned the TV on but kept it down low. His phone buzzed on the coffee table and he grabbed that too.
There were messages from Ink, Seth, and Rhodes. He answered them all while keeping one arm around his girl.
He wasn’t letting her go for anything.
Ever.
39
When Cate woke up, her tummy was grumbling.
Loudly.
“Someone has a hungry tummy,” her mattress said.
Wait.
Sitting up, she stared down at Ethan in shock. “Yourenotmybed.”
He tugged the pacifier from her mouth with a smile. “What did you say, baby?”
“You’re not my bed.” She shook her head. Wait. Of course he wasn’t. “I fell asleep on you?”
That was surprising.
Then she shifted forward as her bottom throbbed and rubbed up against something firm.
Whoa.
“Just ignore that. Seems he likes having you tucked up against him,” he told her. “How are you feeling? Other than hungry?”
“My butt hurts.” She glared at him.
“It’s supposed to hurt.” He tapped her lips. “And you might want to put that glare away before Daddy decides he didn’t spank you enough and puts you back over his lap.”
“What? Daddy! You can’t do that!”
“Sure, I can. I’m the Daddy.”
That was just mean.
“I can’t believe you spanked me. And I cried on you. Then I napped on you. I never nap.”
Her tummy grumbled.
“Little girls need naps. Helps keep the tantrums at bay.” He tapped her nose as he stood. He took her with him, sliding her around so she sat on his hip.
Whoa. This was a strange way to be carried. Although she liked it better than being over his shoulder.
He walked to the kitchen and set her down on her favorite stool.
“I think that Daddy might need to get his girl something she can sit in safely.”
“But I can sit on this stool safely. I do it all the time.”
“Daddy.”
What?
Oh yes.
“I sit on it all the time, Daddy,” she said.
“When you’re Big. But Little girls need to be strapped in so they’re safe.”
Was he talking about a high chair?
“I am not a baby. I am a big girl.”
“Maybe not a baby. But certainly not a big girl either.” He moved around the kitchen, preparing some lunch.
“I am a big girl.” It was surprising how much she liked the idea of being young enough to need a high chair though.
Although perhaps it shouldn’t be, considering how attached she was to her pacifier.
“Hmm. And definitely some special plates. And a sippy cup. Perhaps even a bottle.”
“Daddy! Only babies use bottles!”
“Toddlers have bot-bots too.”
Bot-bots? Why did that sound so . . . so adorable? And why did she want it so badly?
“I don’t need a bot-bot.”
“And some Little clothes. Onesies and warm outfits. Hats, socks, gloves, scarves.”
“I’m not going to Antarctica, Daddy.”
“I have to keep my girl warm. Have I mentioned what a good girl you are?”
There he went again. Making her feel special and noticed and Little. Cate needed the reassurance. The safety. Needed him taking charge.
“I should help.”
“Little girls don’t help in the kitchen. You’d get your butt spanked for that.”