Total pages in book: 153
Estimated words: 154595 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 773(@200wpm)___ 618(@250wpm)___ 515(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 154595 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 773(@200wpm)___ 618(@250wpm)___ 515(@300wpm)
“Are you all right? Can you breathe okay?”
She nodded.
Immy had rushed off and she returned with a bottle of water, which she handed to her. Gray took hold of it, then tipped her back against his arm and held the bottle to her lips. She opened her mouth automatically, letting him put the nozzle to her mouth.
It wasn’t until he sat her back up and she saw everyone staring at them in surprise, that she realized that, except for the fact it wasn’t the right type of bottle, he’d basically given her a bottle in the same way he would a baby.
Ahh. Whoops.
Then again, if anyone should understand it was these guys. Cat was a Little. Although when she regressed, she was close to four or five. Maeve had always thought she was the same.
But maybe she wasn’t.
And that was okay. She didn’t have to be the same as Cat.
“Fuck, that’s it. No more cookies for you.”
The shock of Gray’s words took her out of her thoughts and she gaped up at him.
“Dude, don’t mess with Maeve’s snickerdoodles,” Jenner told him.
“Uh-uh, yeah, not happening. That is the line.”
Gray raised his eyebrows. “Are you serious? That’s the line?”
“Yep.”
“We’ll discuss that. I won’t have you choking.”
“It was one choking incident. I’ve never choked on food before.”
“Not strictly true,” Jenner said. “There was that time you challenged Isaiah to a hot dog eating contest—”
“We don’t need to talk about that!” Maeve said quickly.
“An eating contest?” Gray asked. “That won’t be happening again.”
“Shouldn’t have happened then,” Sampson muttered. “She choked halfway through and I had to put my foot down and forbid it from going any further.”
“Foot down? Forbid? Are you serious?” Maeve asked.
“That was very smart,” Gray approved.
They shared a nod.
Wait. What was happening? Now they were bonding? Jeez, she didn’t understand men at all.
“I don’t think that anyone should be allowed to forbid me from doing something,” she muttered.
“You’d be very wrong then, wouldn’t you, little girl?” Gray murmured into her ear. “I need to put Maeve down for a nap, but before we leave tomorrow, I need to see your security system. This Andy guy, do you know his family or associates? We need to start searching for him.”
“I’ve got someone trying to track him,” Sampson said with a frown. “I went to see his family today, but they haven’t heard from him. They’re worried about him. They said he’s been acting odd, out of character.”
“And your friend, Abe?” Gray asked. “He hasn’t recalled anything?”
“We can talk to him once he wakes up,” Sampson told him.
“All right. Can someone show me where we’re sleeping so I can put Maeve down?”
“Oh yeah, you’re in Maeve’s room,” Immy told him.
“Ooh, I know where that is. Pick me.” Maeve put up her hand. Yes, she looked like a twit, but it felt like they’d all forgotten she was here.
Also, letting her Little out allowed her to push aside some of her worries and fears.
You nearly died.
Nope. Don’t think about it.
“Maeve, have you remembered anything more from what happened?” Jenner asked gently.
“No. I’ve had a few nightmares, but when I wake up, the details are gone. I’m sorry.”
“You don’t need to be sorry,” Gray told her. “None of this is your fault. So don’t fucking say that again. You’re forbidden for apologizing for things that aren’t your fault.”
“I don’t like the word forbid,” she grumbled.
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen you pout, Maeve,” Jenner said with amusement. “It’s cute.”
“I don’t pout.”
“Clearly you do, since you’re pouting right now,” Sampson said.
“Am not. I do not pout.”
“She’s probably cranky because she needs a nap,” Gray added.
She gasped in horror. “I am not cranky. I am never cranky. I am sunshine and happiness, God damn it. Sunshine and happiness!”
They all stared at her.
“Well?” she demanded. “Am I not sunshine and happiness?”
“Course you are,” Jenner said quickly.
“Yep,” Sampson agreed.
Immy nodded her head. Maeve glared up at Gray who just stared calmly back at her. He gave her a raised eyebrow. Which she took as unequivocal agreement.
She grunted in satisfaction. “Damn straight I am. No pouting here.”
Although her lower lip was doing this strange thing.
“Come on, little miss sunshine and happiness,” Gray said. “Time for you to have a nap.”
“I already napped today,” she grumbled as he stepped out of the living room. “Why do I need another one?”
“Because you have dark marks under your eyes. You’re pale. And you’re a bit, uh . . .”
Amusement filled her as he stumbled over his words. But she forced herself to frown.
“Do not say cranky, Daddy. Do. Not.”
“I wouldn’t dare, little girl. Now, where are we going?”
“Up the stairs and third door on the right. I know you weren’t, because I’m not cranky. That’s how toddlers get.”
“Uh-huh.”
What did that mean? Uh-huh?
“Are you saying I’m acting like a toddler?”
“Is that as bad as saying you’re cranky?” he asked carefully.