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“But what if… what if she’s not okay?”
“Isla, are you doing all right?” Eliot asked.
“Yes, Sir. I’m fine.”
“Good girl. You’re being so brave. We’re right here with you. Marcus, come here.”
She heard them whispering but couldn’t make out the words. She wanted to join them desperately.
Maybe if you’d remembered to follow the rules, you could be there with them.
“Five minutes are up. Come here, Isla.”
Turning, she saw that Marcus was pressed up against Eliot.
She bit her lip, shifting her weight from foot to foot.
“Isla, come here.” Eliot pointed to a spot in front of his feet.
Startling, she moved quickly over to where he pointed. To her shock, he grasped her around the waist and lifted her onto his lap.
“What… what are you doing?”
“After a punishment, you get cuddles,” Eliot told her.
“But I wasn’t… I mean, you didn’t sp-spank me or anything.”
He wrapped his arms around her, and she took in his scent. It was almost like a drug. She could feel herself relaxing. His hug, his strength, the sound of his heart beating… it all made her feel relaxed.
Cared for.
“You’re a good girl, Isla. I know that wasn’t easy, and you were so brave. My clever baby.”
It was official.
She was turning into a pile of goo for this man. She relaxed even further into his embrace. Was it possible she could sleep like this?
His hand was rubbing up and down her back.
“I want a cuddle pile! Can we have a cuddle pile?” Marcus asked.
“How about later? During nap time.”
“Nap time?” Marcus asked. “I don’t need nap time. I’m a big boy and you made me go to sleep soooo early. I might not sleep for a week.”
“Big boys need naps, too. And considering Isla is nearly asleep in my arms, she’s definitely going to need a nap later.”
“Oh yeah, Isla will. She didn’t sleep well. Even though I only got woken up once by her, I think she woke up other times.”
“Did you, Isla? How often did you wake up?” Eliot drew her away from his chest and she made a noise of protest. “Shh. Tell me.”
Drat. She didn’t think lying to him was going to be a good idea. Not if she wanted to sit comfortably at breakfast.
“I think four or five times.”
He frowned. “Baby, that’s not good.”
Oh hell.
She thought she’d just melted. Being called baby just did something to her. Especially when he said it in that tender voice.
As though he really cared.
“We need to do something about that. Have you thought of talking to someone?”
“I don’t know. I don’t feel comfortable talking to strangers.”
“You know you can always talk to me, right, La-la?” Marcus asked.
“I know.”
“And me as well,” Eliot added. “We’re here for you. But also, if you’re not sleeping well at night, you definitely need to have a nap during the day. We’ll see if we can find some things to help you feel safe while you sleep. I might have to talk to the sleep fairy. She’s obviously not doing her job properly.”
“She might need a spanking!” Marcus proclaimed.
Her stomach grumbled as she nodded.
“Right. Sounds like we better feed you both.”
“Yummy, breakfast!” Marcus jumped to his feet. “Let’s go!”
“Wait a second. I should tell you that I spoke to your cousin this morning.” Eliot lifted her from his lap, then he stood and took hold of her hand.
“Oh yeah, he came by just before,” Marcus said. “He wanted to check this was what we wanted. Then he said he was going to do an in-depth background check on you. So, uh, sorry for the inquisition he probably gave you.”
“It’s fine. I like that you have someone who watches over you so protectively.” He glanced down at Isla. “Both of you. He was equally adamant that I take care not to hurt either of you.”
That surprised her. Although it shouldn’t have. Cullen was a good employer.
“Let’s go. I have plans for us today. And we need to have a talk about the rules and expectations we all have. Have you got everything you need? Any medications you have to take?”
They both shook their heads.
“Let’s go!” Marcus cried, skipping to the door. “Those pancakes are calling my name. Actually, it’s more like a chant. Marcus. Marcus. Marcus.”
Eliot kept his hand around her as he reached the door, holding it shut when Marcus tried to open it. “Rule one. I open doors. All doors. I help you both in and out of a vehicle. I walk on the outside of a footpath. And I carry anything heavy.”
“Whoa. That’s a big rule. But okay, we can let you be a chivalrous gentleman, right, La-la?”
“Right.”
Eliot opened the door, and Marcus skipped out. They followed, but he was already halfway down the corridor.
“Marcus, freeze.”
Marcus froze. Right where he was. Which was pretty funny since he was sort of mid-skip, so he had one leg up in the air and his arms had been swinging back and forth.
