Series: Little Cakes Series by Pepper North
Total pages in book: 48
Estimated words: 45066 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 225(@200wpm)___ 180(@250wpm)___ 150(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 45066 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 225(@200wpm)___ 180(@250wpm)___ 150(@300wpm)
She nodded, a mixture of sadness and pleasure swirling around inside her. On the one hand, she never wanted him to leave her again. She wished he could skip unpacking at his apartment and move in with her today. After sleeping with him only one night, she knew she was going to think the bed was too empty when she climbed into it.
She would want his arms around her and his heavy leg against hers. She would want to hear his breathing and feel his warmth and know he was next to her, keeping the monsters at bay.
On the other hand, she was also panicking deep inside. This relationship was moving so fast. How could she want a man to move into her home so quickly? She was worried about tomorrow too. She didn’t look forward to seeing the looks on the other detectives’ faces when they found out she was dating the new captain.
Part of her wanted to run and hide and never come out again. She didn’t want to face her fears or her peers. She wanted to stomp her foot and tell her Daddy no. It was too hard.
She recognized those feelings all belonged to her Little and wondered if perhaps her Daddy might be doing her a favor by not staying with her tonight. His absence might help her get a firm grip on her adult persona so when she showed up at work tomorrow she could do so standing tall, head high, chin up.
She didn’t need to apologize for dating the captain. There was no rule against it. It was no one’s business. If only she could enter the precinct tomorrow with that attitude instead of panicking with worry that the other detectives might groan and complain behind her back.
“Look at Daddy,” he demanded, cupping her face now.
When she lifted her chin, shaking off her fears, she found him searching her gaze.
Concern etched his features. “If you get nervous tomorrow, I want you to remember one undeniable fact, okay?”
“What fact is that, Daddy?” she asked in a soft voice.
“You’re mine.”
She swallowed and then threw herself at him, wrapping her arms around him and holding him tight. He was right. That part wasn’t deniable. Fretting over it wasn’t going to change anything. She was his.
When she finally leaned back, she smiled. “Don’t forget that you’re mine too, Daddy.”
He chuckled. “I’d never forget that, Mae Bug.” He nodded over his shoulder. “Let’s see about some dinner, shall we?”
Feeling lighter, she skipped along beside him as he led her to the kitchen. “Can you make mac and cheese, Daddy?”
He glanced at her. “Do you have some in the house, Mae Bug?”
“Uh huh.” She nodded. “I have the freezer kind. All you have to do is put it in the microwave and voila!”
He chuckled. “That’s it, huh?”
She shrugged. “Well, you do have to push a few buttons on the panel too. It won’t cook otherwise, and then you need a hot pad to take it out so you don’t burn your fingers.”
He lifted her by the waist and set her on the island before tickling her. “Smarty pants.”
“Yep,” she declared, swinging her legs. “That’s why they made me a detective. Because I’m smart.”
“You are smart… And beautiful… And a kickass officer who others rely on… And my very adorable Mae Bug.”
“And hungry!” she added.
“Let’s get dinner going! Point me toward the microwavable masterpiece,” he requested.
Within twenty minutes, they sat at the table devouring the simple meal. Avery forked a bite into her mouth and stifled a yawn. She was completely wiped out.
“I think I’ll skip a shower tonight and wake up a few minutes early to jump in before work,” Avery admitted.
“I think that’s a good idea. Would you like to stop and pick out some possible colors for the nursery tomorrow? Just bring the paint swatches home,” he suggested.
“I could do that. What color would you like your office to be? Maybe blue-gray?”
“If there’s an office it should be for the two of us. We can share the space easily. I don’t plan on either of us doing police work after hours unless there’s an emergency. What color would help you concentrate?”
“I don’t like white. It makes me think of the squad room and I want this to be home.”
“Agreed. You mentioned blue-gray. Would you be happy with that?” Trace probed.
“Yes, but only if you like it, too.”
“Get several shades you like. I have a feeling we can find one we can agree on. If you don’t have time, we’ll go out this weekend. I’m sorry, I’m stuck in meetings for a while.”
“It’s okay. Everyone needs to meet you and you need to figure out what’s going on in the department,” she answered with a shrug.
“Is there anything you think I need to know?” he said with narrowed eyes.