Total pages in book: 48
Estimated words: 45188 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 226(@200wpm)___ 181(@250wpm)___ 151(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 45188 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 226(@200wpm)___ 181(@250wpm)___ 151(@300wpm)
He won’t look away either. “You’re so precious. I’m a very lucky Papi. Most Papis have to work hard to get their Little girls to take their first bottle and accept being diapered.”
I hesitate for a moment as I remember I left my best friend downstairs. Papi seems to think she was claimed by his friend. If she’s enduring the same thing as me right now, she can’t be happy. She would freak if someone made her wear a diaper or take a bottle. And the medical exam…
Papi strokes my cheek with his thumb. “There is nothing more special in the universe than cradling my Little girl in my arms while she takes her bottle. Can you feel the bond growing?”
I nod. I feel it. It’s as strong as he suggests. I feel a deep sense of power that flows around us, consuming me. It’s warm like a soft blanket. I want more of it.
When I start to drift off, Papi jiggles the bottle. “Finish all of it, Baby girl.”
I can’t disappoint him. I want to please him. So I force my eyes to stay open and finish every drop of the formula. I’m so tired by the time it’s gone that I’m already drifting off.
I’m aware of Papi setting the bottle aside and rolling me gently closer to his chest so that my titties press against his pecs. They’ve finally stopped throbbing, but I’m aware of the contact, and it soothes me.
Papi rises, cradling me so close I almost can’t breathe. He kisses my temple. “Sleep, Baby girl.” He rocks me back and forth, the movement lulling me into sleep. Just as I’m about to doze off, he nudges my lips and pops the pacifier into my mouth.
I suckle it as I fall into a deep sleep.
Chapter Eleven
Surgient
I can’t put her down. I won’t. I’m so smitten by her that I can’t stand to lay her on my bed even for her nap. I can’t stop staring at her, touching her, playing with her hair. She’s a dream come true, and I won’t part with her.
Already I’m in a panic about parting with her emotionally for six long months. I’ve watched other Papis fret about their upcoming trips. Now I fully understand why. If all of them felt even one tenth what I’m feeling, they were out of their minds with frustration.
I just got her. She’s going to leave me for half an Earth year. In the grand scheme of things, it’s a blip on the radar of our long lives, but right now, it seems like an eternity.
I pull my phone out of my pocket and check my messages. Everyone from the control room and the starship will know by now that I’ve claimed a mate.
The last message is from Ganrax. It’s not customary for us to interrupt another male after he’s staked his claim and taken his Little girl upstairs, but I’m not surprised by his message. It came in only ten minutes ago. Our situation is different. We found our mates at the same time, and they’re friends.
I read his message.
Call me if you can talk.
I glance at Mia. She’s out cold. She needs the sleep. The formula is helping her rest. So I dial Ganrax’s number.
He picks up on the first ring. “Hey.” He sounds stressed.
I’m not surprised. “How are you doing?” I say softly so as not to disturb Mia more than necessary.
He chuckles sardonically. “Everything they say is true. This Little girl is so feisty I didn’t think I’d ever get her to calm down, take a bottle, and sleep.”
“I’ve seen it in every male I’ve spoken to for two years, my friend.” I don’t tell him it’s not happening quite the same for me. He doesn’t need that right now.
“I promised Ava I would send someone to her apartment to get some things,” he says.
“I promised Mia the same. Have you lined someone up?”
“Yes. John from the front desk. He says he does this often. I texted him a list. I’ll share his contact information with you. He’ll pick up for both of them and deal with the manager of their building tomorrow too.”
“Excellent. Thank you.” I keep my gaze on Mia, but she hasn’t stirred.
“It’s going to be a very long trip home,” Ganrax says next.
“Yes. Eternal.”
“I think Ava is at least slightly mollified by the knowledge that her best friend was also chosen tonight. What were the chances?”
“It’s rare. I’ve heard of friends both getting selected before, but not on the same night,” I inform him.
Ganrax sighs. He sounds tired. “I guess I’ll see you in six months and a few weeks.”
“Yep. The girls will be chomping at the bit to get together.”
“Let’s hope. If Ava hasn’t stabbed me in my sleep.” He gives a slight laugh, but it’s not filled with humor.