Total pages in book: 54
Estimated words: 50148 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 251(@200wpm)___ 201(@250wpm)___ 167(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 50148 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 251(@200wpm)___ 201(@250wpm)___ 167(@300wpm)
“No! Of course not.”
“Hmmm. Have you experimented with other punishments? Standing in the corner? Writing lines? Wearing a naughty plug in your bottom?”
Alessia shook her head vigorously to cover her excitement about at that last option. Why did that sound deliciously effective to capture her attention? “Maybe I should rethink this.”
“Our relationship? Too late, Little mate. Our bond has already snapped into place. We can’t simply walk away from each other. I need you, and you need me.”
“I crave chocolate, but I don’t eat it every day.”
“That’s not quite the same, but I enjoy being compared to chocolate and savoring,” he teased. “Tell me what you know about Littles and Daddies.”
Aroused, nervous, and curious all at the same time, Alessia struggled to escape from that request. She swallowed hard and blurted, “Maybe I should eat another sandwich half. Or some of those cookies.”
“Of course. You can have the tray if you’d like. Could you see me as a Daddy? As your Daddy, Alessia?” he asked, handing her a cookie.
Alessia studied the front of his shirt. She took a big bite of the cookie and chewed it. Titus didn’t interrupt her. She swallowed and drank some water.
“Those are good cookies. Gio didn’t make them, did he?”
“No. My cook did. I’ll introduce him tomorrow. He’ll be excited to meet you. Pascale enjoys cooking for humans more than for vampires. I pay him enough that he puts up with me.”
Her lips twitched at his admission. She glanced down at the cookie as if she were going to enjoy more but hesitated. Titus waited patiently, not rushing his mate. After several long seconds, Alessia whispered, “I already told you I’ve never met a Daddy in real life. I’ve only read about them in books.”
“You’ve never met a Daddy before me, Little mate,” he reminded her.
“But I didn’t realize you were a Daddy,” she whispered.
“Your Daddy.”
“My…
My Daddy.” Her body trembled. Hearing that come out of her mouth sent a wave of emotions through her. Alessia couldn’t figure out if she should bounce with excitement or blush with embarrassment. She squeezed her thighs together telling her body to settle down.
Titus pulled her close and hugged her to his warmth. “Yes, Little mate. Your Daddy. I didn’t think I would ever find you. Do you have any idea how long I’ve searched for you?”
She shook her head. Her gaze fixed on his face.
“Since 1420. I was thirteen when I realized I was wired differently than my brothers. At seventeen, while my peers were drinking and carousing, I only wished to take care of special people. I hadn’t found the right one. But I was sure she was out there. When I was turned, I learned about being a Daddy from my vampire clan. Everything clicked into place then for me.”
“Other vampires are Daddies?”
“My entire clan. Alaric has a way of finding us.”
“Alaric is the guy who talks on the screen, right?” Alessia asked.
“He is. He’s our elder.”
“Is that like the president of the clan?”
“More like a dictator. In a benevolent ruling mode. He’ll listen if we have concerns, but he is more powerful than everyone,” Titus said before adding, “How about we talk about vampires later? Did you have more questions for me?”
She studied him before shaking her head. While processing that vampires were real and she was incredibly attracted to one confused the heck out of her, Alessia surprised herself by accepting such strange new truths. Something did worry her. “I think I asked the most important ones, but I need to know… Are you going to send me back?”
“Never, Little mate.”
“Thank you. I feel safe with you.”
Chapter
Six
Alessia wiggled her nose. When that didn’t eliminate whatever tickled her, she lifted her hand and rubbed her finger under her nostrils. Whiskers. She blinked, turning her head slightly, and found herself staring into captivating green eyes. She’d snuggled her face next to his. “Titus.”
“Daddy,” he reminded her.
“Did I fall asleep?” she asked.
“Yes, Little mate. I think you’ve finally run out of questions.”
Alessia remembered assuring him she had nothing else to ask him at least six times. Something else would pop into her mind a bit later. “Is it morning?”
“You got a few hours of sleep, Alessia. You need more. How about if I put you to bed?”
“You held me all night? You could have plopped me on the couch and gone on to bed. I bet your arms are asleep,” she said, pushing herself away from his chest, embarrassed that she’d imposed so much on him.
“I was exactly where I wanted to be.”
Titus kissed her forehead tenderly. He didn’t seem annoyed, but more delighted to hold her. Before she could say anything else, he stood and carried her out of the room. He had passed the staircase before she asked, “Can I get my duffel?”
“Hopper is waiting for you in our room. Gio carried your bag up before he retired.”