Total pages in book: 48
Estimated words: 44561 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 223(@200wpm)___ 178(@250wpm)___ 149(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 44561 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 223(@200wpm)___ 178(@250wpm)___ 149(@300wpm)
“Okay,” she whispered. After all, she was in no condition to give herself a bath. She wasn’t sure she could even sit upright without help.
Chapter Ten
Arion couldn’t stop smiling as he lowered his precious mate into the warm bath. He’d filled it with bubbles too, and she sighed with contentment as the water covered her.
He kind of hated that he couldn’t see her naked body anymore, but it was temporary. He would see her again soon.
“I’ve never had bubbles,” she murmured, dragging her fingers through them. “My mother said they were a luxury we didn’t need.”
He wondered what other luxuries she’d been denied. Part of him was glad. He would enjoy the wonder in her eyes every time he introduced her to something new.
He knew her family hadn’t struggled for money. Finances weren’t an issue. So either her parents didn’t like to spoil their kids, or they believed they were doing their girls a favor in not inflating their future expectations. Not every mate in the valley would be able to afford the same amenities as another.
Either way, Arion liked this development. He picked up a loofah, poured some sweet-smelling soap on it, and lifted one of her arms.
She tipped her head back. “I can wash myself, Daddy. You don’t have to do it.” She looked adorable with her hair piled up in a messy bun on top of her head. He’d put it there a few minutes ago after removing the decorations and pins from earlier in the day.
He winked at her. “There are a lot of things I’m going to do for you from now on because I will enjoy taking care of you, Bella. It’s my nature.” He swiped the loofah over her breast, loving the way her breath hitched and her cheeks turned pink.
“Do all men take care of their mates like this?”
“I’m sure most of them do to some degree. The males of our species are Dominants, Little one. Most of them anyway. And most of the females are submissive by nature. Not all males like to play as deep a role in their Little girl’s life as I will in yours, but nearly every Alpha Protector does.”
“Oh.” Her eyes were wide with wonder. He could see a thousand questions behind them. Probably so many that she didn’t know where to start.
“After our honeymoon period, I’ll take you to meet the other Little girls who are mated to Alpha Protectors. You’ll learn that they all have overbearing Daddies who take care of them in every way.” He smiled as he brought her fingers to his lips and kissed the tips.
Her breath hitched. “I’m all tingly again,” she whispered.
“I’m glad, Little one. Your body is aligning with mine. In the coming days that feeling will grow. For both of us. You won’t want to be parted from me.”
He loved how shallow and rapid her breaths came.
He washed her right arm next before setting the loofah aside for a moment to hold her arm up and press their wrists together. “Feel the connection, Little mate?”
She gasped and grabbed the edge of the tub with her other hand, eyes wide. Her body started shaking. When she tried to pull her arm away, he circled both their wrists with his free hand and forced her to stay connected like he had earlier.
He watched her struggle. His own struggle was equal, but he managed to control it better because he wasn’t as stunned as her. He’d been educated on this phenomenon. He knew intellectually what to expect.
She whimpered. “Daddy…” Her breaths came faster and deeper. Enough bubbles had popped for him to see her pretty nipples above the water. The pale skin of her cheeks was red, and that ran down her chest.
“Feel it, Bella. Don’t fight it.” He continued to hold her. He would let her go soon, but he wanted her to experience the intensity of their bond.
When she released the edge of the tub and lowered her hand into the water, he shook his head. “Put your hand back where it was, Bella,” he demanded.
She gasped, freezing her movements.
“I know your pussy feels needy. I know you want to touch it, rub it, anything to alleviate the need. But I forbid it. Grab the side of the tub,” he insisted again.
Her hand jerked out of the water and returned to the side of the tub. She gripped it harder this time. She was trembling as she tipped her head back.
When he finally released her arm, he gently set her fingers on the other side of the tub. “Keep them here,” he said.
He was as affected as her. His cock was harder than ever. But he forced himself to remain in control while he cupped her face. “That’s the bond, Bella. That’s what it does. We don’t have to touch our marks against each other to feel the connection. That just intensifies it.”