Total pages in book: 52
Estimated words: 49258 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 246(@200wpm)___ 197(@250wpm)___ 164(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 49258 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 246(@200wpm)___ 197(@250wpm)___ 164(@300wpm)
“I’m glad you’re recovering. Let’s get you in the tub and find some toys for you to play with instead of Daddy’s butt.”
“No toys are finer than that,” she assured him and her face flamed even hotter.
“Thank you, little girl. I like your bottom as well. Now, let’s get you undressed and in the tub.”
Koa undressed her carefully, running his fingers over her skin to check for any injuries or hot spots. That sensation in her tummy grew hotter as he examined her. When her clothes lay scattered on the floor, Koa lifted her into the tub and helped her settle before turning off the water. The liquid flowed around her, feeling delicious as it cooled her fever.
Giana settled back against the tub, loving the additional chill of the porcelain. Koa knelt by her side, gently sloshing cool water over her skin. A deep sigh eased from her lips as she relaxed. The pressure and worry of the day floated away on the surface of the water as it lapped over her.
“This is heaven,” she whispered.
“Good. Scoot down and wet your hair, Flame. Let’s wash away the smokiness first.”
She nodded and slid her bottom along the tub to dunk her head under the water. When she emerged, Koa handed her a soft, dry washcloth.
“Hold this over your eyes, little girl.”
When Giana had followed his instructions, Koa poured a bit of shampoo from the bottle she’d brought from home and rubbed it over her tresses and scalp with firm but gentle fingertips. She loved the feel of having her hair washed. “You are so good at that.”
“I have three younger sisters. They trained me well.”
“Really? Are you the only boy in your family?” Giana asked, peeking from under the washcloth.
“Keep that in place, little girl. You don’t want soap in your eyes,” he told her firmly.
Immediately, Giana followed his instruction. “So? Are you the only son?”
“I am. I’m twenty-seven. My sisters are twenty-five, twenty-three, and twenty-one.”
“I’m older than you?” she asked, shocked.
“Age doesn’t matter to me, Flame. Is it important to you?” he asked.
She noticed he didn’t ask how old she was. “Well, it kind of matters. Twenty years from now when I’m talking about the music I listened to in high school, you won’t recognize any of the artists.”
“I like that thought. I’m glad you’re planning to stay with me for twenty years,” he commented, totally missing her point.
“No, I mean we won’t have anything in common.”
“We’ll have twenty years in common,” he pointed out before adding, “besides, these were probably your favorite groups in high school.” Koa named off four bands she’d loved.
“That’s impressive. How did you know?”
“Lean back. Let’s rinse the suds away. Do you like conditioner?”
“No, thank you. I have a leave-in one that I like,” Giana answered before following his directions. His fingers swishing her hair through the water felt magical. Giana could feel her tight shoulder muscles relaxing.
After the stressful day, she’d tensed up even more when she’d realized she was five years older than Koa. He oozed confidence and control—probably a result of his training and skills. Perhaps he was right—the difference in their age didn’t matter.
“Up you go, little girl,” he said, lifting her easily to sit in the tub. Koa steadied her before wrapping her wet hair in a towel, turban-style, like he’d done that a million times.
“You’re thinking too hard, little girl. Are you okay?” Koa asked, pulling the washcloth away from her eyes.
“Sorry. I didn’t mean to get lost in my head.”
“Being quiet is fine, Flame. Unless you’re worrying about something that isn’t important.”
“Like our age?” she asked.
“Exactly. Our private business is ours.”
Koa dipped the washcloth into the water, saturating it. He added some floral-scented soap and stroked the cloth over her back. The sensation of the pull of the terrycloth over her skin mesmerized her. She leaned into his touch.
“That’s it, little girl. Just let me take over.”
After the day she’d had, releasing control to him was surprisingly easy. Giana realized she trusted Koa. She could allow her inner self to come out safely around him. He kissed her forehead, making her heart melt.
“I’ve got you, Giana.”
“Thank you, Daddy.”
By the time he’d washed every inch of her body, Giana was half asleep. Koa dried her skin and wrapped her in a towel. She lolled against his hard muscles as he carried her to the bedroom and tucked her under the covers.
“Don’t leave,” she whispered as he eased off the bed.
“I’ll be right back, Flame.”
“Promise?”
“Yes, little girl.”
She hovered on the brink of sleep, fighting to stay awake when he returned. “Daddy,” she whispered. “I thought you’d forgotten me.”
“Never, Giana.” He settled on the pillows next to her and wrapped an arm around Giana to slide her closer to him. “I want you to try this, little girl. You need some nourishment. Then you can sleep.”