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Tears welled up in Harper’s eyes as she took a shaky breath.It wasn’t that she didn’t want what Levi was offering.In fact, she wanted it a lot.More than she’d first thought.
“I...I don’t know if I’m ready.I’m scared and so damaged from my past relationship,” she finally whispered, her voice laced with vulnerability and hesitation.
Levi’s thumb gently brushed away a tear that had escaped Harper’s eye.His touch was tender, his gaze filled with understanding.“I know you’re scared, Little girl,” he murmured, his voice soothing and comforting, “but I promise you, I will never hurt you like he did.I will do everything in my power to make sure you feel safe and cared for every single day.”
Something in Harper’s heart tugged at her, urging her to trust him.She longed for the love he offered, for the safety and security that seemed to radiate from his every touch.But the fear lingered, a constant reminder of the pain she had endured.
Levi leaned in, his lips barely grazing hers.It was a delicate, tender kiss that held so much promise.Harper closed her eyes, allowing herself to enjoy the soft caress of his mouth against hers.In that moment, she made a decision.
With a newfound determination, Harper mustered the strength to speak.“Okay,” she said, her voice steady despite the tremor in her heart.“I’ll give us a chance.”
Her breath caught when a smile bloomed on Levi’s face, brightening his eyes.He wrapped his arms around her, enveloping her in a warm embrace.“Thank you,” he murmured against her ear.“I promise I won’t ever hurt you, baby girl.”
A weight lifted from Harper’s shoulders.For the first time in a long while, she allowed herself to truly believe there might be a future beyond the pain and darkness of her past.
When he finally released her, he set her on the bed and went about looking in her throat.
“The good news is, I don’t think you have strep.I’m pretty sure it’s a virus, which means you need lots of rest, fluids, and snuggles from Daddy.”
She giggled when he tickled her tummy.Then she frowned.“But I need to go to work.I just started at Dot’s.I don’t want to let her down.”
He raised an eyebrow.“Well, it happens that Dot is my aunt, so I think she’ll understand.I’ll call her in a bit and explain.She wouldn’t want you decorating cakes while you’re sick anyway.”
Harper supposed he was right.She would hate if she made anyone else sick.
“I want to make sure you don’t have any other questions or concerns about me examining the other Littles.You can ask me anything, kitten.I’ll never be mad.”
Everything he’d said earlier had made sense.She felt a lot better about it, and she was glad they’d talked.It was obvious the other women loved their Daddies whole-heartedly, and the relationship they had with Levi was purely platonic.
“I’m good, Daddy.”
The corners of his lips pulled back into a wide grin.“I love it when you call me that.Say it again.”
She scrunched her face.“I’m good?”
He let out a low growl.Dang, that was hot.Teasing a man wasn’t usually something she would do, but it came easily with Levi.
“Naughty girl.”
“You mean, Daddy?”
“You know I mean Daddy.Silly girl.I like hearing it come from you.”
Warmth spread through her chest.She liked saying it.It felt as natural as calling someone by their name.
“I need to get you fed, and then it’s back to bed for you,” he said.
She groaned.She had a feeling he was going to actually put her on bedrest.Something told her Levi wouldn’t be letting her lift a finger until she was all better.
“Go potty.Gabriel was making some chili in the main kitchen earlier.I’m going to go grab you a bowl.I’ll be right back.”
After she used the toilet and washed her hands, Harper looked in the mirror and winced.She looked terrible.Pale and blotchy skin.Her hair was a mess.She had death breath.
Great.
She quickly brushed her teeth and ran her fingers through her tangled locks before she left the bathroom in search of her phone.As soon as she pulled it from her purse, the screen lit up showing multiple calls from unknown numbers.Her stomach tightened as she looked at them.It was possible it was her apartment manager calling with news about when the cleanup would be done.Or the fire department to let her know what caused the fire.Or one of her neighbors calling to check on her.Even though she hadn’t given her number to any of them.
Deep down in the pit of her tummy, she knew it wasn’t any of those things.It didn’t matter, though.She was safe.Levi wouldn’t let anything happen to her.Besides, Zach had no idea where she’d moved.
