Total pages in book: 50
Estimated words: 47569 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 238(@200wpm)___ 190(@250wpm)___ 159(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 47569 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 238(@200wpm)___ 190(@250wpm)___ 159(@300wpm)
My mind is clearer, and I need to make things right with Papi. I have a million questions, but I think I’ll start with an easy one. I clear my throat, which causes him to jerk his attention toward me. “What do you do for work, Papi?”
I haven’t spoken a single word to him in two weeks that wasn’t coaxed out of me with bribery. I’m a bitch.
He’s shocked. His eyes are wide. But he pushes his chair back and comes to me. I’m not far because he never leaves me anywhere unattended now. I’m pretty sure he has slept the past four nights in my nursery in the rocking chair. He has to be exhausted.
He squats in front of me. “Hey there, Little one. How does your arm feel?” He strokes my other hand.
I flip it over and grab on to one of his fingers. His hands still mesmerize me with their size. I can grip one finger and hold on to him as if I were an actual child. It makes me feel like the Little girl he says I am, and I think I like it.
“My arm is fine, Papi. It doesn’t hurt at all. The doctor said it would heal faster than on Earth. I’m sure it’s almost better.”
He strokes my fingers, but his brow is furrowed. “I’m sorry you got hurt, Baby girl. I should have been paying closer attention.”
I shake my head. It’s time to put him out of his misery. “It was my fault, Papi. You told me I wasn’t permitted to get out of my crib or even stand in it, and I defied you. I deserved to fall and get hurt. I thought I was strong enough to land on the floor, but it was farther than I imagined, and my legs weren’t ready for standing. I reached out with my hand to stop my fall, and my arm broke. You couldn’t have prevented it.”
He swallowed. “I should have. It’s my job to keep you safe.”
“Nope. It’s your job to love me, and that includes disciplining me when I do things that aren’t safe. I owe you a punishment for my behavior.”
He drops onto his knees and leans in to kiss my forehead.
I release his finger and reach up to wrap my hand around his neck. “I’m sorry I’ve been so naughty and stubborn. I’m struggling with this arrangement, but it’s not your fault, and I shouldn’t take it out on you.”
“It’s okay, Little one. Some Little girls need more time than others to acclimate.”
I shake my head. “There’s no excuse for how rude I’ve been. It’s not your fault that Fate put us together. I can feel the pull of the bond. I know you feel it the same. Will you forgive me and give me a chance to be good?”
He leans back a few inches and cups my face. “Nothing to forgive, Baby girl, but I miss you so much. I just want you to be happy and healthy. I want you to be able to talk to me so we can work out the things that are bothering you. I want you to be my partner in life.”
I grip his neck harder. “Your idea of a partner is not what I had in mind. In fact, to be honest, I never wanted a life partner. My parents were terrible at it. I hated what I witnessed growing up, so I vowed I wouldn’t ever get married, and I certainly didn’t expect to find myself claimed by an alien from another planet,” I tease.
He chuckles. I love that sound. After a few seconds, he asks, “Was your father dominant? Is that why it bothers you so much?”
“Yeah, but I realize now it’s not the same. My father was abusive. I should say he is abusive. Even though I haven’t been home in years, I assume nothing has changed. He wants my mother to keep the house perfect, have meals ready, and jump at his every beck and call. He’s an ass, and I hate him.”
“I’m sorry, Little one. That must have been hard. I see why you didn’t want to end up like your mother. I promise I will never ask you to cook or clean. I’ll do all of that in our home. I would never hit you out of anger either.”
I don’t know when I’ll be able to fully embrace this way of life, but I do know that I have to eventually. It’s my life now. Denying it isn’t helping. It’s only making both of us miserable.
Papi leans in closer. “Your submission to me is not the domestic sort. You’re not my maid, my cook, or my cleaning lady. You’re my Little girl. My intention is to spoil you rotten for the rest of our lives, not put you to work.”