Total pages in book: 47
Estimated words: 44932 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 225(@200wpm)___ 180(@250wpm)___ 150(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 44932 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 225(@200wpm)___ 180(@250wpm)___ 150(@300wpm)
“Then let’s make that happen.”
Her stomach growled loudly. Pippa pulled back to look at him. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to ruin the moment.”
“You couldn’t spoil anything, kitten. I just need to feed you.” Holding her close, Zale circled the island and picked up one bowl of spaghetti. He carried it to the table and sat down with Pippa cuddled on his lap.
He could sense her gaze on him as he twirled the fork into the noodles. Lifting the utensil to her mouth, he urged, “Let me take care of you, Pippa. Eat.”
Her mouth opened slowly. Zale made airplane noises, making her laugh as he fed her the bite. “That’s my girl. Is it okay for us to share this bowl? I don’t have anything I can give you. It’s the routine that we get tested regularly.”
A blush spread over her cheeks. She closed her eyes and swallowed hard. “I’m a virgin. Do I have to be tested?”
He kept himself from reacting. What an incredibly strong young woman he’d found. “You don’t need to be screened for anything if you’ve never had sexual contact of any kind.”
“I couldn’t find what I wanted. Until now.”
“Suddenly I feel like the luckiest man on Earth. Have another bite, kitten.”
“It’s your turn,” she protested.
“Daddy will take a bite next,” he promised her, and he did.
They made it through almost two bowls of spaghetti before they were both groaning. While he cleaned up, Zale sent her to potty and brush her teeth. Keeping her eyes open during the movie quickly became impossible. Pippa gave up and listened to the sounds. Waking up when Zale carried her down the hall to the guest room, she tightened her arms around his neck.
“I want to stay with you,” she whispered.
“Daddy’s bed it is,” Zale announced softly and carried her into the master bedroom.
Standing her next to the bed, he stripped off her leggings before tucking Pippa into bed. He knew she was too exhausted to stay awake while he made sure the house was locked up for the night. He smiled as her hand moved restlessly across the sheets and knew what she needed. Zale tucked Toothie into her arms and watched her pull the stuffie to her heart. Her expression relaxed and her breathing slowed.
Zale pressed a kiss to her forehead. “Sleep well, kitten.”
Soft snuffling snores drifted from the lump under the covers when he returned to the bedroom. Pippa was fast asleep.
CHAPTER 7
Rubbing her head on the hard surface she was resting on, Pippa tried to find a softer place. “Oof!” she complained as she opened her eyes. An expanse of lightly furry man’s chest filled her view. Pippa froze, listening to see if he was awake.
“Good morning, little girl. Did you sleep well?”
“Oh! I’m sorry.” Pippa squirmed backward away from his heat, but the band of fiery steel tightened around her.
“I’m quite enjoying your closeness, kitten. Toothie, however, seems to be trying to eat my face.”
Lifting up on an elbow, she discovered that her stuffie rested directly over his nose and eyes. “Oops! Bad stuffie,” she told the alligator as she quickly pulled it down. Maybe he hadn’t seen her hand wrapped around the tail of the fierce creature.
“I think Toothie wanted me to check if he had morning breath. Maybe I should see if you do?” Zale suggested, leaning forward to press Pippa back into the pillows behind her.
She focused on his mouth growing closer and held her breath in anticipation. Zale pressed his lips lightly against hers as if testing her response and then returned to deepen the exchange. A thrill ran through her as he took his time, seducing her with perfect kisses that made her want another.
When his tongue swept across the seam of her lips, Pippa didn’t hesitate. She opened her mouth to invite him in. Lifting her arms to wrap around his neck, she accidentally bonked him in the head with Toothie.
Zale shifted back a few inches to meet her gaze. Amusement twinkled in his eyes. “I’m starting to think Toothie doesn’t like me.”
Shaking her head vigorously, Pippa stammered, “I-I forgot I was holding him. S-Sorry.”
“There’s no problem, kitten. I’m glad I distracted you. How about if I put Toothie right over here on this pillow?” Zale suggested, gently tugging the stuffie from her hand.
As he placed the alligator safely away from them, he leaned back down to continue where he’d been interrupted. This time, her fingers traced the grooves of the muscles in his shoulders as he explored her mouth. Daringly, Pippa touched the tip of her tongue to his. His deep hum of enjoyment made her repeat the motion before tasting his lips and dipping into his warm mouth.
No morning breath here. Was there anything wrong with Zale?
“Stop thinking, kitten. Enjoy.”
Pippa gripped him tighter, wondering how he always knew so much about her before following his instructions. She abandoned herself to his kisses. He rewarded her with a few more sizzling kisses before tasting the sensitive cord of her neck. Stretching her head to the side to give him full access, Pippa shivered at the delicious sensation. The faint scratch of his morning whiskers added one more layer to the thrills he lavished on her.