Total pages in book: 47
Estimated words: 44932 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 225(@200wpm)___ 180(@250wpm)___ 150(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 44932 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 225(@200wpm)___ 180(@250wpm)___ 150(@300wpm)
“Thank you, Aspen, for taking care of Pippa. I owe you one,” Zale told her when the two women stepped apart.
“I’ll remind you of that when you think I need a shot,” Aspen said with a twinkle in her eye.
“You’ll get two suckers the next time,” he promised before holding a hand out to Pippa. “Come on, sleepyhead. Let’s get you settled in at my house.”
In a few minutes, he had Pippa securely belted into the passenger seat. She waved goodbye to Aspen, who stood in the doorway with Jerico as he backed out of the driveway. “How are you, kitten?”
“I’m okay.”
When he glanced over to check her expression, she blurted, “I’m still tired and my wrists and arms ache. I must have pulled on that zip tie for miles.”
“Probably. Thank you for telling the truth. Lies always come with consequences.”
“Like the chart on Aspen’s fridge. She said she never wanted to lose a sticker.”
“I’m sure she doesn’t.”
“He doesn’t beat her, does he?” Pippa asked after a momentary hesitation.
“Jerico definitely does not abuse Aspen. She might get her bottom warmed if she is naughty.”
“Warmed? Like a spanking?” Pippa asked slowly, half turned in her seat.
“Yes, Pippa. Or she might earn corner time or miss dessert. I’m sure Jerico has several consequences that Aspen might earn.”
“She calls him Daddy. Aspen thinks the entire team are daddy doms,” Pippa shared.
“It’s not up to me to share personal information about others, Pippa, but I fit that description. I’ve searched for my little girl for a long time. Do you know what all that means?” As much as he’d rather have this conversation outside of the car where he could concentrate on her only, Zale guessed it was easier for her to talk now when he wasn’t looking at her directly.
“I’ve read a few books.”
“A few?”
“Okay, a lot of books. There are all sorts of Daddy books out there. You know, like a range,” she told him.
He knew she was covering for herself, trying not to reveal any intimate details. “I bet there are. There are a lot of different kinds of Daddies and Littles in real life as well. I enjoy taking care of my Little completely.”
“You have a Little?” she asked with a quiver in her voice.
“I haven’t for several years, Pippa. I decided after my last relationship fell apart that I would wait until I found the perfect Little for me.”
“What would make someone the perfect Little?”
“Someone brave who would let me take care of them completely,” he answered, trying to judge how much to tell her.
“Like charts and stickers?”
“More than that, although I love stickers as much as some Littles do. I enjoy activities like doing my Little’s hair, giving her a bath, feeding her, and taking care of her health. I want to be a complete caregiver.”
“You give Aspen shots?” she asked. “And you do hair?”
He saw her comb her fingers through her long hair. “I’m a whiz at braids and ponytails. Or at least I used to be. I need some practice. Maybe you’d let me brush up on my skills while you’re here.”
“Oh. Maybe,” she answered cautiously. “I have a tender scalp.”
“That’s good to know. I’ll be careful,” he promised before addressing her other question. “I take care of the team when we’re training or on missions. When Aspen needed medical care, Jerico asked me to help her. She and her daddy decided they’d rather have me treat her instead of going to a doctor. I appreciate their trust. Aspen is the perfect Little for Jerico. They love each other deeply.”
“Do you care about her?”
“I consider all my teammates to be like brothers. I trust them more than my own brothers to tell the truth. Aspen is Jerico’s little girl. I care for her because she’s amazing, but there’s no attraction between us,” Zale explained, sensing Pippa was worried.
“She is incredible. I think we’re good friends after just spending the day with her, and I wasn’t even awake half of the time.”
“There it is. We’re home. This is my green house. Number fifteen twenty-seven.”
“You like green?”
“I do. Fatigues, money, broccoli. Lots of good things come in green.”
“Frogs, the Grinch, algae. All green,” she pointed out, making him laugh.
“You are correct, little girl,” he acknowledged.
“Do you think I’m Little?” she asked, revealing the inner thoughts she must have been worrying about.
“I think you know your needs and desires. Today is definitely not the day to make any momentous decisions or life choices. Ten hours ago, you were tethered to the armrest of a car. You get at least another ten to determine anything.”
When she shivered in her seat, Zale fought to control his anger at the man who’d transported her. Strike that. Kidnapped her.
Zale had seen some horrendous things during his time on a special ops team. He’d run into the victims of a human trafficking ring once before. His mind shied away from considering what could have awaited her.