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)
“I’m glad. When you’re ready, maybe you’ll share some of it with me,” he suggested.
“Maybe? For now, I locked it up. It feels better to be able to write anything I want and know it’s private.”
“I’m glad. After a traumatic event, it’s important to have a way to get all that out. Keeping it private is good. I won’t peek unless something life threatening happens and I need to exhaust all possible information sources,” he promised as he finished his shower.
Pippa didn’t respond, and he guessed she was debating whether that was acceptable. He didn’t want to promise never to read it and then have to break that vow. Grabbing his towel and drying off, Zale stepped out of the shower to check on his silent Little. “Are you okay with that, Pippa?”
“I like having it private,” she answered stubbornly. “There’s a lock on it and everything.”
“And I will never read it unless there’s an emergency. That’s not likely to happen, but I don’t want to make you a promise I might not be able to keep.”
She studied his face before nodding. “Okay. That makes sense.”
“I’m glad.” He changed the conversation as he tied the towel around his waist. “You colored. Anything else?” Walking forward, he lifted her from the vanity and took her hand to move into the bedroom.
“I did laundry and hung up my new clothes in the guest room.”
“Why not in Daddy’s closet? It’s ours now.”
“Do I get to sleep with you all the time now?” she asked hesitantly.
“If you don’t, I’m cuddling with you in the guest bed or wherever you are,” he told her as he grabbed a pair of shorts and a T-shirt.
“I’ll move them,” she said quickly as he stepped into the shorts. “Um… Don’t you wear underwear?”
“I do. Does it bother you if I’m not?” he asked, curious about her thoughts.
“No. Doesn’t the material get stuck in your butt?”
“Sometimes. Guys prefer commando sometimes because it allows everything to breathe. That feels good, especially if I’ve been sweaty. Just like you shouldn’t wear panties to bed. Most of the time, skin is healthier if it is uncovered part of the day.”
“Really?” She looked at him skeptically.
“Yes. Now, if you’re on your period and need to wear protection or there’s some other reason, wearing panties is fine.”
“I can’t believe we’re talking about my period,” she whispered, her face turning an enchanting shade of pink.
“We will talk about everything, little girl. Your period is part of you. It is an integral part of your health. Because I think you’re embarrassed to tell me, you can jot down the brands and types of products you like. There’s a notepad on the kitchen counter I use for my grocery list. Put anything on there you need or want. I’ll pick it up for you or you can go shopping with me. Okay?”
“As soon as my security clearance is finished, I’ll get to start working. I can get all my stuff,” she rushed to assure him.
“Little girl. Do you really think I mind buying tampons for you? Come on. Let’s go have some dinner,” he suggested.
“No.”
“You’re not hungry?” he asked, deliberately misunderstanding her answer.
She rolled her eyes. “Yes, I’m hungry. No, I don’t think you mind buying me tampons.”
“Good and good.”
Zale walked forward and wrapped his arms around her waist. Lifting her into the air, he squeezed her tightly in a giant bear hug before setting her feet gently back to the floor. “Give me another kiss. I had to go all day long without any.”
He kissed her gently. When her tongue traced the inner surface of his lips, Zale deepened the exchange. He craved her taste. Exploring her mouth, he tangled his tongue with hers, teasing it and celebrating when she engaged in the play. They were both breathing hard when he lifted his head.
“Before my good intentions evaporate, let’s get some food inside you,” Zale told her, forcing himself to step back.
“Maybe I like you with bad intentions,” she suggested, peeking up at him from under her lashes.
“Come on, temptress,” he said with a smile. She was simply adorable. He noticed the rubber band on her finger. “What’s this?”
“That’s the key to my diary. I don’t want to lose it.”
“Let’s put that on something else.” He thought quickly. “How about a keychain?”
“That would work. That would be bigger. I wouldn’t lose it.”
“I think I got one with the base logo on it.” He walked to the door out to the garage and plucked something off the line of hooks. “This one has the house key on it too. You need one of these. How about if we put your diary key on it, too?”
“Do I have to leave it on the hook?” she asked.
He could hear the uncertainty in her voice. Zale assured her, “No. That makes me think. You need something to carry your stuff in. If you don’t mind having an unconventional purse, I have a sling bag in my closet that you could use. It goes across you like this.” He demonstrated, drawing a line diagonally across his torso from his shoulder to his opposite hip.