Total pages in book: 153
Estimated words: 155903 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 780(@200wpm)___ 624(@250wpm)___ 520(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 155903 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 780(@200wpm)___ 624(@250wpm)___ 520(@300wpm)
He drew it out and checked it. “All clear.” He turned her over. She was looking everywhere but at him.
That wouldn’t do. Grasping hold of her chin, he drew the pacifier from her mouth, then leaned in to kiss her. “Thank you for letting me take care of you.”
She relaxed and smiled before he returned the pacifier to her mouth.
“Time for lunch.”
She didn’t fuss as he got a new pair of training pants and put them on her. Then he carried her back to her cushion.
“Stay here, baby. I’m going to get you some lunch.”
There was a lightness to his movements as he prepared a fruit platter in the shape of a face. Sliced banana made up the smile, a strawberry for the nose. Cut-up grapes for eyes and orange segments for ears.
Reuben also made them both a sandwich, eating his as he made his way back to her.
That familiar thump of urgency was strumming through him. Telling him to go back to her. Watch her. Keep her safe. But it wasn’t as overwhelming as it had been.
When he walked into the study, she was where he’d left her, filling him with a deep sense of satisfaction. He sat in front of her, turning the plate around on the floor so she could see the fruit.
She clapped her hands but didn’t say anything, even when he removed her pacifier.
He put a bib around her neck. It was something else he’d bought the other day at the toy shop, but he hadn’t been sure he’d use it.
“Do you like the smiley face, Little Blossom?” he asked, testing whether she’d really slipped into being nonverbal.
She nodded, smiling.
“Good girl.” He slowly fed her by hand. After she’d eaten most of the sandwich, he lifted her up and into his lap, where he cradled her close while feeding her the bottle of water.
This . . . this was exactly what he’d needed.
And somehow, she’d known.
Because she was made for you. The other half of your soul.
At one stage, he’d thought he no longer had a soul, but this girl in his arms was proof that he did.
69
Daddy was so snuggly.
And he felt really warm. Faith could just cuddle with him all day. So, when he went to put her back on her cushion, she latched onto him with her good arm and held on tight.
Perhaps she should tell him what she wanted.
But no, Daddy would know.
Faith was firmly in her happy place. Daddy would take care of her.
“Not ready to let go, huh?” he murmured.
He got it. She wriggled in happiness.
Standing, he cradled her against him and patted her bottom gently.
“It’s nearly time for your nap.”
Noo! Little Blossom didn’t want Daddy to let go of her.
“Shh,” he murmured. “You can sit with me for a while and then I’ll put you down.”
He sat behind his desk and arranged her so she was straddling him, her legs on either side of his. She snuggled in, safe and secure in Daddy’s arms.
Where she belonged.
Faith didn’t know how long she stayed there, but she must have been close to drifting off to sleep because she startled when he lifted her.
“Easy, Little Blossom. I’m just going to take you into your playroom for a nap.”
She made a noise of discontent. It wasn’t that she didn’t love her playroom, but she wanted Daddy with her.
“If you’re a good girl, Daddy will let you suck on his cock until you go to sleep.”
Ooh. Yay!
So, she put up with him putting her on the toilet and helping her wash her hands. Then he put on a clean pair of training pants, not that she needed new ones.
When he laid her on the bed, he drew down his pants and boxers, revealing his thick, heavy erection. He raised her electric bed so she was at the perfect height to roll over and take his cock into her mouth.
And yes, everything was perfect in Faith’s world.
Reuben kept the door to the playroom open, even though he had a camera set up, so he could watch Faith. Then he drew his phone from his pocket. It had buzzed twice while Faith was sucking him.
That hadn’t been his smartest idea. Because he was in pain right now. Christ. He reached down and adjusted himself as he answered the call.
“Hey.”
“Reuben,” Alejandro said back. “How is Faith? How are you?”
“We’re doing a lot better.”
And he was. Sure, he still wanted to obsessively watch her, but it wasn’t consuming every minute of his day.
“Good. I have some news. It’s not good.”
He tensed. “What is it?”
“Lou has been found.”
Fuck. Yes.
“How is that anything but good?” he asked.
“Because the cops got to her first. And because she’s dead.”
“What?” That was unexpected.
“She washed up on the shores of the Hudson. Until the autopsy comes through, we won’t know what killed her.”
“Right. Fuck.” He was hoping they’d find her alive. How would they get their answers now? “Do they know her identity?”