I’ve put all the food away and started dinner. So far, Brea has only expressed disdain for broccoli, so I think she’ll like my pasta bake. I get it all put together and in the oven before I hear her stirring in the bedroom.
When I enter, she’s sitting up in the middle of the bed, looking groggy and disoriented. And adorable.
Brea tips her head back to look at me and frowns. “I guess I was tired.”
“Yes, Little love. Next time you’ll listen to Daddy and not argue.”
“Could I take a shower?”
I tug the covers away from her leg and examine it. The wound has improved significantly even in the last few hours. “How about a bath? I don’t want you standing, and I bet you could use a good soak. The wound is completely sealed, so no water will get in it.”
She touches the scar. “I can’t believe it. Even the scar isn’t as gnarly as it should be.”
“That’s what you get for hooking up with a shapeshifter,” I tease as I grab her ankles and drag her to the edge of the bed.
She giggles. “See? I didn’t wet myself.”
I remove her diaper, noting she’s right. “That’s fine, Little love, but I don’t want you getting so worked up about peeing in your diaper that you don’t sleep well. If I find out you’re restlessor forcing yourself to remain slightly alert, I’ll put sleeping pills in your bottom and force you to rest.”
She gasps. “Daddy…”
“I mean it, Little love. Rest is important. Sleeping pills will drag you into such a deep sleep that you’ll pee yourself without your knowledge.”
“That’s a bit drastic.”
“Try me, naughty girl.” I help her to sit upright and pull the tank top over her head before removing the band from her hair and unraveling the braid.
“I love it when you run your hands through my hair,” she whispers, her voice relaxed.
I’m glad she enjoys me stroking her hair because I certainly like it, too. I intend to do it often. I scoop her into my arms, cradling her, and carry her to the bathroom. After sitting her on the bench seat, I turn on the water.
“The tub is huge,” she comments. “We could both fit.”
I test the water until I’m satisfied and add the stopper. “Sometimes I’ll get in with you, Little love, but not today.”
“Why not?” she pouts.
I chuck under her chin. “Because bathing with my naked mate would end with my cock buried in her tight cunt.”
“And what’s wrong with that plan?” she teases.
“Nothing at all except I have a meeting with my pride in the clearing soon. I can’t be late because I was busy fucking my mate until she screamed.”
Her pretty cheeks turn pink. She’s embarrassed by my crude words, which is cute, but she shakes it off quickly and asks, “Why are you having a meeting? Is it about Mitchel?”
“Yes, Little love,” I say gently. “And you’ll stay in the cabin while we meet. I don’t want you to concern yourself with our plans.”
As the water rises, I lift her over the edge of the tub and carefully set her on her bottom.
“Daddy… I’m the one he tried to murder. I think I deserve to be a part of your plans.”
I ignore her and grab a cup to pour water over her head. “Tip your head back, Little love, and close your eyes.”
She obeys, but as I start massaging shampoo into her thick hair, she continues on the same subject. “You can’t leave me out, Navin.”
I’ve learned she calls me Navin when she’s serious, upset, or about to orgasm. The last doesn’t bother me. The first two are aggravating, not because I never want her to call me by my name, but because I don’t like knowing she’s so frustrated. I’d rather avoid causing her anxiety at all costs.
I rinse her hair and switch to conditioner, rubbing her scalp in a way that lulls her. She can’t help but close her eyes and purr. If she likes me threading my fingers through her hair, she’s over the moon to have me massage her head.
