Total pages in book: 36
Estimated words: 34149 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 171(@200wpm)___ 137(@250wpm)___ 114(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 34149 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 171(@200wpm)___ 137(@250wpm)___ 114(@300wpm)
I glance over my shoulder to find Josie emerging from the bedroom. She’s pulling a soft pink cotton robe around her. Her cute hair buns are falling out of the bands. I cringe inside, knowing her mother has to assume I slept with her.
The woman’s attention shifts to her daughter. She takes a step closer. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine, Mom.” She stays in the doorway. “I’m so sorry. I forgot to call you last night.” She doesn’t meet my gaze. Is she embarrassed?
I need to take control here. I take another step back, holding the door. “Please, come in.” I hold out a hand. “Chase Reynolds. I am a detective, but I’m not here in a working capacity.” I’m not sure how much Josie would like her mother to know about where she was last night.
The woman steps inside and tentatively takes my hand, assessing me. “Ilsa Miller.”
“Mom…” Josie’s voice trails off. I suspect she isn’t sure what to say either. She draws in a breath. I hate her discomfort, but I need to take my cues from her. “I had some anxiety last night at the costume party. It was too crowded and the Cinderella costume was itchy and the lights and the noise and my shoes and the lollipop and I panicked.”
I guess her mother must know quite a bit about her daughter, so I chime in. “I recognized your daughter’s distress and brought her home, ma’am. I didn’t want to leave her alone, so I slept on the couch.”
Ilsa releases a slow breath. “Thank you. That was kind.”
I glance at Josie again. I want to pull her into my arms. She’s shaking and gripping the front of her robe together. “Why don’t you go get dressed?” I encourage. “I’ll talk to your mom.”
Josie hesitates, staring at me.
I step toward her. She needs me. I need her to look me in the eye. When I reach her, I don’t touch her, but I lean closer to her ear and whisper, “It’s okay, princess. I promise.”
I pray to God I can keep that promise.
Josie seems to relax slightly as she backs up so I can pull her door closed.
When I turn around, I find her mother staring at me. “Are you, uh…”
“Everything I told you is true, Mrs. Miller, but I won’t deny I’m interested in your daughter as far more than a friend.” I might as well get this out there. Denial won’t help me. I’m going to need Ilsa to trust me.
I point toward the couch. “Would you like to sit?”
She slowly lowers herself onto one end of the couch.
I take the armchair. “Ask me anything.”
Her mouth opens. I’m sure she’s struggling to decide what to say. She glances at the pillows on the couch and then around the room. “How well do you know my daughter?”
“I’ve known her for six months. I was at the party last night.” I’m not sure if she knows where the party was, so I don’t offer that.
“So you’re a member of the Dungeon?” she asks.
Okay, she must know her daughter very well indeed. “Yes.”
She glances at the end table where I set my badge. “You really are a cop?”
“Yes.”
Ilsa crosses her legs. “My daughter is…”
“I know she has sensory processing disorder. So does my sister. That’s how I recognized it.”
She looks surprised. “Oh. And I guess you know she’s…” Her gaze goes to the hamster pillow next to me.
I wait for her to finish because I will not break my Little girl’s confidence. I wouldn’t break the trust of any member of the club, but especially not Josie’s. If her mother knows she enjoys age play, she’s going to have to supply that information.
I lean forward, setting my elbows on my knees. I thread my fingers together and wait for Ilsa to finish her sentence.
She sighs. “You’re a member of the club. You must know my daughter’s kink preferences.”
I nod. Do you?
“Her father and I worry about her. She hasn’t…” Ilsa doesn’t finish her sentence again. “Please don’t take advantage of her.”
“I would never. I give you my word. I care about her. A lot. I’d like her in my life if she’s interested. I would never do anything to hurt her.”
Josie bursts into the room. I sit up straighter to look at her. She’s wearing black leggings and a pink cotton dress that has Dalmatians on it. Her feet are bare. Her hair is no longer in messy buns. It’s in pigtails. She brushed out her hair so it’s hanging thick past her shoulders.
She’s the most adorable I’ve ever seen her.
She’s breathing heavily. “Mom, please tell me you didn’t grill my… Chase.”
Her mother sits up straighter. “Of course I did. It’s my job. You’ll be pleased to know he revealed nothing.”
Josie’s shoulders lower.
I hold out a hand toward her, encouraging her to come to me.