Series: Little Cakes Series by Pepper North
Total pages in book: 48
Estimated words: 45110 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 226(@200wpm)___ 180(@250wpm)___ 150(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 45110 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 226(@200wpm)___ 180(@250wpm)___ 150(@300wpm)
“You could never be a bother. I’d love to show you part of my world. Would you enjoy seeing what I do?”
“I would love that.” Tori leaned forward to whisper, “Daddy.” Her heart skipped a beat when heat built in his eyes. It thrilled her that Evan didn’t try to hide his attraction to her. She remembered hearing girls talk in class when they didn’t think she was listening about the guys who ignored them in public but tried to hook up privately. That definitely wasn’t for her. Evan didn’t seem to be playing a game like that.
Her brother’s warnings to keep her eyes open and not just leap with her heart echoed in her brain. Tori leaned back slightly, trying not to fall too hard for this man and knowing that she already had. Evan reached forward to cover her hand.
“You can trust me, Curls,” he promised.
Tori nodded before she realized what she was doing. Something inside her knew he wasn’t leading her on. Evan was a Daddy. He was different than other men you couldn’t count on to be there when you needed them. Dipping another fry in the communal catsup, she held it up to his mouth and giggled as he nibbled on her fingers in the process of accepting her treat.
“I’m off the next two days. Could we go hiking tomorrow?”
“Definitely. Would you like to come visit my house afterward? We could have a cookout on my deck. Being outside always makes me hungry,” Evan confessed.
Tori really wanted to see his house and learn more about him. Was it wise to go to his home though?
“I could show you my darkroom,” he suggested, waggling his eyebrows theatrically.
Tori dissolved into giggles. I always have the best time with Daddy. She knew there was no reason to be nervous around him. He would never hurt her.
Chapter Seven
Tori waited on her brother’s front porch for Evan to pick her up. She’d dressed as close to his suggestions as she could. Looking down at her sneakers, she hoped that they would be okay instead of the boots he had recommended. She wore shorts, a short-sleeved shirt, and a sun hat. Add a healthy dose of bug spray and sunscreen and Tori thought she was ready.
Her heart beat a bit faster as Evan pulled his fancy car into the driveway. She stood as he opened his door and stepped out.
“Hi, Curls! I’m glad to see you.” Evan walked forward to wrap his arm around Tori and pull her close for a passionate kiss that really made her heart beat faster.
“Wow!” she whispered, tracing her lips without being aware of her actions.
“There’s more to come. Get ready,” he teased.
“I didn’t have any boots,” she blurted. “Can I still go?”
“Your tennis shoes are fine. We’re going on an easy hike today. I’ll take you to get some sturdy hiking boots if you enjoy today.”
“Oh, good. I think I have everything you recommended then.”
“Want to grab some sunglasses? It’s pretty bright out there.”
Automatically, Tori reached up to feel that she wasn’t wearing them. “I meant to bring them. I bet they’re still in my room.”
Tori turned and raced into the house. She searched in her room for sunglasses and couldn’t find them. Fearful he might leave if she took too long, Tori began to tear through the stuff on her dresser, flinging clothes onto her bed.
“I had them this morning,” she said to herself.
Evan’s deep voice said behind her, “Could these be the glasses you’re looking for?”
Tori whirled around to see Evan holding Coral in his arms. The pink stuffie wore hugely oversized sunglasses on her long dragon snout. “You found them! Coral, bad, bad stuffie.”
“Perhaps Coral didn’t put them on herself?”
“She was just supposed to hold them until I got ready to leave.”
“So now you’re ready to leave. Let’s get this mess cleaned up,” he suggested, approaching the bed and starting to fold the clothes neatly.
When he picked up a pair of panties, she snatched them from his hand as she felt her face flame in embarrassment. “I can do that later.”
“I’m sure you can, but we don’t need to leave a mess. Did you pack a small bag in case you want to stay at my house tonight?” Evan asked as he continued to fold her clothes into neat stacks.
“No…”
“Would you like to? No pressure, Little girl. I’ll bring you back immediately if you need more time,” he promised.
“Um, I mean, yes. I’d like to take some clothes…”
“Do you have something to put clothes into? A bag or small suitcase?”
When Tori shook her head sadly, Evan asked, “Which is your favorite pillow?”
Tori pointed to the one with a pink pillowcase with multicolored hearts. “I like that one.”
“Perfect,” Evan answered and picked up her selection. “Pick out a pair of panties and shorts, a T-shirt and bra. We’ll tuck it inside the case and take it with us.”