Total pages in book: 57
Estimated words: 53807 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 269(@200wpm)___ 215(@250wpm)___ 179(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 53807 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 269(@200wpm)___ 215(@250wpm)___ 179(@300wpm)
“You touched me better than that last night.”
“I know, Aspen. I’ll make love to you again. Just not when you’re too sleepy to know what’s happening.”
“Okay.”
He couldn’t help but smile as she repeated that one word again. Aspen was nothing if not amenable, as he made sure her body was clean and then suds free.
“Let me wash your face and it will be time for bed, Aspen.”
She sputtered when he turned her to face the water, but cooperated, muttering afterward, “You drowned me, Daddy.”
“I’ll get a washcloth next time, little girl,” he promised as he wrapped her in a thirsty towel and dried the moisture from her skin. He smoothed the cloth over the few wisps of damp hair around her face and finger combed them into place.
“Okay.”
He wrapped his arms around her, loving the feel of her soft skin against him and her own personal scent. Stabilizing her, he slung a towel around his waist before lifting her into his arms and heading back into the main bedroom.
“I like it when you carry me, Daddy.”
Jerico kissed her forehead before setting her on the bed. He turned to grab her nightshirt, saying, “Let’s get this on you, and you can go to bed.”
“Silly Daddy. I’m already in bed,” Aspen told him, curling up on the pillow.
Revamping his plans, he tossed the nightshirt on the bedside table and concentrated on getting her tucked into bed. Despite her sleepy protests, Jerico got her under the covers. She was snoring softly before he even rounded the bed.
He glanced at the clock to see it was just after eight. Way too early for him to go to bed, but he wanted to be close to her. He could always plot out his next request for team funding stretched out in bed.
Jerico left the room with a backward glance that almost caused him to trip over Rexy at the door. He’d have to remember the dog always wanted to be close.
“Sorry, Rexy,” he whispered as he lurched over the dog.
When he’d double-checked all the doors and turned off the lights, Jerico headed back to the bedroom. Aspen had moved into the center of the mattress. Now her hand rested on the comforter stretched toward his side of the bed as if she were searching for him.
Don’t read so much into it.
Her reaction to setting up rules and consequences had revealed her fear and unreadiness to trust him that much. He’d known making things concrete would frighten her. It was easier to run away than open yourself up completely. Jerico vowed to show her she could allow herself to live her fantasies without hesitation.
After straightening the bathroom and hanging up his towel, Jerico returned to check on Aspen. He found her scooted over a bit more to use his pillow. Rexy had inched his way through the doorway as well and now lay next to Aspen’s empty side of the bed. He’s going to be stealing all the covers soon.
Smiling at that thought, Jerico slid into bed, taking up the small space Aspen had left him. Immediately, she sighed, “Daddy” and snuggled up against him. Jerico slid his arms around her and held her even closer. He set the alarm clock on his wrist by feel alone. After years of military deployments, he would wake up before the signal went off, but it was insurance if this sweet armful distracted his brain.
Soft kisses on his chest woke Jerico. He blinked open his eyes immediately, on edge as he assessed the threat level.
“Daddy?” Aspen whispered in concern.
“Sorry, little girl. You surprised me. A wonderful surprise,” he added to smooth over his reaction. Stroking a hand over her hair, he tangled his fingers in the silken tresses to tilt her head up so he could capture her lips.
Desire flared between them, and instantly Jerico’s body responded. He groaned into her mouth when she squirmed forward to plaster her nude body against his. He ripped his mouth from hers as she stroked a hand down his spine.
“You should go back to sleep, Aspen.”
“I can’t. It’s all your fault.”
“My fault?”
“I woke up, and you were all pressed against me. Immediately, I remembered last night, and I was totally awake.”
“I see. What do you think would get you back to sleep? It’s too early.”
“Well, I thought maybe…”
“I like the way you think, Aspen. I have a feeling I’ll like the way you taste as well.”
“Taste?” she echoed in confusion.
Jerico kissed her hard. As their tongues wrapped around each other, he trailed a fingertip down the centerline of her body and felt her reaction. His little girl liked this idea. She turned eagerly onto her back as he shifted to loom over her and settled his pelvis between her thighs.
Lifting his mouth from hers, Jerico trailed kisses along her jawline and down the sensitive cord of her neck. He nipped at that spot that drove her crazy at the curve onto her shoulder as he cupped one rounded breast in his hand. Continuing his path, he drew his tongue over her breastbone and paused between Aspen’s breasts to caress her.