Total pages in book: 48
Estimated words: 45782 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 229(@200wpm)___ 183(@250wpm)___ 153(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 45782 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 229(@200wpm)___ 183(@250wpm)___ 153(@300wpm)
Obviously it’s my imagination. If they were truly as large as it seems, they would be pulling down on my nipples. They aren’t. Or perhaps it’s just that my little titties are so erect that they can’t possibly sag.
What if they stay that way all the time? Pointy and hard, making it easier to support the gemstones.
Papi brings a hand up to lift one of the dangling stones in his palm. “So pretty.” He kisses my temple. “What do you think, Baby girl?”
“I don’t know yet,” I whisper. I’m still in shock.
Ekert pats my thigh. “You can numb them as often as necessary to avoid pain. They will heal quickly, but there’s no need for her to be hurting. In a few days they won’t need to be numbed anymore.”
It’s weird because I can feel the weight of them, but not the sensation at the piercing. That’s because of the numbing, but it’s like looking at someone else. This can’t be me.
A month ago—in my time, not real time—I was a homeless woman living on the streets, so tired of being cold that I ducked into Club Zoom to warm up. What a wild ride I’ve been on since making that strange decision. Why didn’t I just check into a shelter that night? I could have huddled under an overpass or wandered inside a supermart. I could have pretended to need the bathroom at a gas station and hidden out in there for a while. I had so many options, but something propelled me to go to Club Zoom.
I lift my gaze to find Papi staring at me. He’s smiling, but his brow is furrowed. He’s concerned about my reaction. I get it. I worry him.
I look back down, shuddering yet again.
Papi strokes my pigtail. “Ready to go home, Baby girl?”
I nod. I’m too choked up to say anything. I’m not sure what to say. Am I supposed to thank Ekert for sticking a needle through my nipples?
Papi picks me up and tucks my face against his neck. He does not ask me to be polite. He also doesn’t ask me to say anything to Sophie. I hear him quietly tell the two of them he will call in a few days.
I’m aware that my nipples are brushing against his chest, but I can’t feel them. Nothing hurts. I’m in a state of shock. In fact, I pull my thumb up, pop it in my mouth, and promptly fall asleep.
Chapter Sixteen
Tekfan
I do not set my Little girl down when we get home. She basically passed out much like she did the night I met her. She was overstimulated and conked out. I know she’s okay just like I knew she was okay that night, too. Her vitals are fine. She’s breathing normally. Her heart rate is good. Pulse. Everything.
I’ve spoken to Thabo, and he says this is her way of recovering and dealing with stress. It’s okay. He assures me she’ll be fine. If I’m still worried tomorrow, I can bring her in. If she doesn’t wake up in a few hours, I can also bring her in.
I’m sitting in the rocking chair in her nursery, cradling her in my arms. I keep stroking her tiny fingers. My gaze wanders back and forth from the pretty piercings to her face. She’s gently suckling a pacifier. Her diaper is soaked because she’s wet it a few times, but it’s okay to leave it for now.
I want her to wake up because I miss her. I’m also a bit afraid she’s going to be mad at me. Did I pressure her too much to do this today? Thabo says based on her history with anxiety attacks, there’s a solid chance she would have practically fainted no matter how long I’d waited to take her to Ekert’s.
She needs to eat, so I gently carry her to the kitchen to heat up a bottle. She doesn’t rouse during that process, nor does she awaken when I swap the pacifier for the bottle. This doesn’t surprise me either because the same thing happened the night I met her.
When the bottle is empty, I set it aside. She whimpers a bit, still suckling at nothing, so I give her the pacifier back. That helps her settle.
After a few hours, I change her diaper. Nothing awakens her during that process. When it’s time, I feed her again. By now I’m worried her nipples will hurt when she wakes up. It’s been a long time since I numbed them. I don’t really want to prick her skin while she’s sleeping. That could send her into a new panic if she jerks awake while I’m doing so.
I rock her some more, watching her sleep in my arms. I’m so fucking blessed. She’s perfect in every way. Even her imperfections are exactly perfect. I love the way she spars with me. I love how she furrows her brow when she’s frustrated. When she cries, the sound is music instead of annoying. It reminds me that she’s here. I’ve found my mate. She’s mine.