“Why? Why are you even putting up with me?” Saylor couldn’t understand what was happening here. Why was he holding her and acting concerned?
“I think we need each other, little girl.”
A shiver of awareness ran through her. Saylor gathered her courage and asked, “Little girl? Why do you keep calling me that?”
“Because I believe you are a little girl, not in age but in life choice. And even more than that, I’m sure I’m your daddy.”
“Daddy?” she repeated automatically before whispering, “Like in those books? Daddies exist?”
“They do. Just as little girls are real. Have you ever explored your Little side?”
She shook her head. “No.”
“Then it’s time you did. I’ll help you work through the terror plaguing you, and we’ll explore the dynamic together,” Max told her.
“You’re not messing with me, are you?” Could she trust him? She so wanted someone in her life she could rely on.
“I will never lie to you, little girl. I promise.” He lifted a hand from her arm and drew an X across his heart before pinching his fingers together as if he were holding something and thrust it toward one of his eyes.
“Cross your heart and hope you’ll die, stick a needle in your eye,” she recited, understanding his actions completely.
“Can you promise me you’ll tell me the truth as well?” he asked.
Nodding, she repeated the signs herself. “I promise.”
“Good girl. Now it’s late and you need more sleep. Let’s go stretch out on Daddy’s bed. I won’t touch you until you are readyfor that step. Tonight is about sleeping soundly without worry. I’ll be there to guard you from harm.”
A good night’s sleep sounded like a miracle. She hadn’t slept through the night since the robbery. “I don’t want to disturb your sleep.”
“You won’t. My body is trained to do without sleep for days if necessary. If I get a couple hours, I’m good to go. Come on. Up.”
He lifted her to her feet and stood before asking, “Have you eaten?”
“I usually grab something before bed, but I’m good,” she rushed to assure him.
“Do you like scrambled eggs?”
Her stomach growled in response.
“That answers that question. Come on. I’ll make us some food and then we’ll crash.” Max took Saylor’s hand and led her to the kitchen. He helped her up onto a stool at the island before whipping up an astronomical amount of eggs with cheese and meat. Every bite was delicious.
CHAPTER 5
“Are you sure I can stay here tonight?” Saylor asked, standing in the doorway to the main bedroom in her borrowed T-shirt.
“Of course, Saylor. I don’t think you’re ready to be alone.”
Immediately, she shook her head. When she hesitated to crawl into the guest room bed, Max asked, “Would you like to sleep in here with me?”
“Could I? I mean, you may not want me in here. I have bad dreams.”
“That’s even more reason for you to sleep in here. I can karate chop bad guys from here to Timbuktu.”
“You know karate?” she asked and yawned widely.
“No. Not karate. Sorry, I was trying to be funny.” Max had trained in several martial arts and self-defense methods. He didn’t mention those.
“It’s okay. I’m sure you’re good at other things.”
