Total pages in book: 117
Estimated words: 116760 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 584(@200wpm)___ 467(@250wpm)___ 389(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 116760 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 584(@200wpm)___ 467(@250wpm)___ 389(@300wpm)
However, things were still spinning.
She knew there was one thing that would quiet her mind. That would stop that out-of-control feeling.
But she couldn’t do that . . .
However, her feet were turning her without her permission. Leading her out of the bathroom and toward the closet. Opening the door, she crouched and reached toward the back to grab a box.
Pulling it out, she sat back on her ass and opened it.
Inside was a gorgeous, pale, buttery-yellow fluffy blanket, which she immediately drew it up to her face. It felt so soft against her skin and there was a slight scent of lavender. She’d always had trouble sleeping and the lavender helped. She’d place the blanket by her face and breathe it in.
Now, instead of using the blanket, she tried to wear herself out physically instead. Putting the blanket aside, she reached back into the box again and drew out a dress. It was yellow and white gingham. Something she’d never wear in her day-to-day life.
But her Little had loved this dress. So much so that she hadn’t been able to get rid of it.
It was so feminine and sweet. Two things that she didn’t believe she was.
He’d never liked this dress. He’d put her in pants and tops. Overalls. Those were clothes her adult side would pick.
But her Little liked pretty dresses. Cute things.
Bebe couldn’t explain it. That was just the way her brain worked.
He hadn’t liked that.
Something she hadn’t understood at the time, but she now did.
He’d liked to be in control. And if he wasn’t . . . then everyone else was at fault.
Never him.
Nothing was ever his fault.
So she hadn’t worn this dress when she was with him. There were matching bloomers. They were white with ruffles, and the dress was short enough that when she bent over, you could see them.
Yeah, he hadn’t liked that either. Said she was displaying too much of her skin. And he didn’t want others to stare at her.
Staring at what belonged to him.
She shuddered, not wanting to remember what belonging to him had meant.
But she’d never worn this outfit around anyone but him, so she didn’t understand his reasoning.
Right. Like he was ever reasonable.
Putting the dress and bloomers down, she reached into the box once more and drew out her bottle.
Damn.
She really wished she could have a bottle of milk right now. Biting her lower lip, she grabbed her pacifier out next.
That was too much to resist.
Even though she knew she should wash it first, she popped it straight into her mouth.
Immediately, a sense of calm engulfed her.
All of her worries didn’t just disappear, but they were pushed back. It wasn’t like she could fully let go and allow her Little free rein.
The last thing she pulled out of the box was the one that made her nearly cry.
Nutters.
Her squirrel.
She loved Nutters, and it killed her to shove her away in a box in the closet.
Surely . . . surely it would be okay to let Nutters out, right?
Lots of adults who weren’t Littles slept with stuffed toys.
She hugged Nutters tight and knew she couldn’t shut her away again. It wasn’t fair to Nutters.
And it wasn’t like Corbin and Hayes would be in her bedroom. Well, as long as she didn’t have any more nightmares.
In three weeks they’d be gone and she’d be alone again.
And that was a good thing.
Right?
Why had she agreed to this in the first place? She was a grown woman who should be able to tell her Dad no.
But part of her was still that anxious child, searching for her parents’ love and approval.
With a sigh, she put everything away except her blanket, Nutters, and her pacifier. She needed the extra comfort tonight
Heading to the bed, she curled up on her side and placed the blanket by her face.
Hopefully, she’d get some sleep.
13
Corbin heard a floorboard creek and instantly woke up.
He hadn’t really been sleeping, anyway. Most of the night, he’d dozed, ready to be there for Bebe if she needed him.
He hadn’t liked leaving her last night when she was ill. He’d nearly insisted that she let him into her bedroom so he could see her in person. However, he’d forced himself to step away.
She was an adult who could take care of herself.
But now it sounded like someone was awake and moving around. And Hayes was unlikely to make any noise.
Getting out of bed, he drew some clothes on and headed downstairs. Maybe she’d woken up hungry since she hadn’t eaten dinner. He could offer to make her scrambled eggs. She’d told them that she couldn’t cook and lived on takeaway, toast, and crackers most of the time.
Oh, and beer.
It wasn’t really good enough.
But also, not really his business.
As he walked downstairs, he received an alert that the alarm had been deactivated.
Was she going somewhere?