Page 18 of Orion

The water is still running. It feels so nice. Warm.

Daddy’s brow is furrowed as he takes my right hand and guides it away from my chest. He examines my arm carefully, flipping it over a few times. When he prods my wrist, he asks, “Is the pain better, sweetness?”

There’s that endearment again. I like Little doll a lot. It makes me all warm and fuzzy. Sweetness gives me tingles. “Yes, Daddy. It only hurts a little.”

“Good. I want you to baby it for a few days until we’re sure, but if it’s not hurting badly, and since I don’t see any swelling, I don’t believe it’s broken. Just sprained.”

“Will you have to bite me every time I get an injury?”

He looks me in the eyes. “No, Little doll. Just the once. My essence runs through your veins now. You’ll always heal faster than the average human.”

That’s a relief.

“Let Daddy see your other arm,” he orders gently, holding his hand out.

I’m using it to cover both my nipples. My forearm is over one, and my hand over the other. I’m going to feel even more exposed if I release my breasts. I tip my head back. “Daddy…”

He strokes my cheek with one finger. “Soon I will know every inch of your body, Little doll. Inside and out. You won’t have any secrets from me. You’re my mate. I will see you naked every day.” He bends forward and kisses me.

I whimper as I lean in to accept his lips, wanting more.

“Give Daddy your hand, Cora. Be brave for me.”

Trembling, I release my chest and extend my arm.

“That’s a good girl,” he praises. “I’m so proud of you. Every inch of you is perfection. There’s no reason to be embarrassed, but what you’re feeling is a common human reaction. Mates of lion shifters do not ordinarily live the sort of modest existence you’re used to.”

“How many mates do you know?” I ask. The only one I met was Brea.

“Currently just Navin’s Little girl. He was the first among us to find a mate since we moved here. However, we came from a much larger pride. The one where we were raised. Our mothers and sisters and cousins did not usually cover their breasts.”

“Why did you move here?” I ask, my curiosity piqued. Also, if I keep talking, maybe I won’t think about my nudity so much.

“We were part of a much larger pride far away, and the twelve of us separated to reestablish closer to a human population.”

“Why?”

“Because we need human females to mate, Little doll.”

“Oh, right.”

Daddy removes the faucet from the holder and lifts it up over my head. “Close your eyes, sweetness.”

I squeeze them shut tight and grip the sides of the tub with both hands, hoping I don’t experience vertigo. It sometimes happens when I close my eyes, and I get disoriented, especially if my head is tipped back like this.

Nothing happens. I feel completely centered as Daddy pours water over my hair. And I keep my head in this position while he washes my thick locks. It feels so good. The last time someone washed my hair was when I was a toddler. I have no recollection.

I’m kind of sad when Daddy finishes and rinses the shampoo off, but then he turns the water off, releases the stopper in the tub, picks up the shampoo, and starts over again.

“What are you doing, Daddy?”

“I want to be sure to get all the smokey scent off you, Little doll. And I let the dirty water out so you won’t have to sit in it. I’ll turn it back on in a minute.”

He’s so thoughtful, and this time, he lingers, running his fingers through my hair and massaging my scalp. I’m pretty sure I’m purring as he does so. I can’t help myself.

“That little sound you make is adorable, Little doll,” he says softly. “I hope you never stop doing it.”

I blush. I hadn’t realized my small hum was audible, but… “Do you also have a better sense of hearing?”