Total pages in book: 48
Estimated words: 45069 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 225(@200wpm)___ 180(@250wpm)___ 150(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 45069 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 225(@200wpm)___ 180(@250wpm)___ 150(@300wpm)
Finally, he removed the thermometer and checked her temperature. She was indeed getting closer. After cleaning up the device and putting it back on the nightstand, he carefully rolled her to her back and lifted her into his arms.
She winced.
“What hurts, Baby girl?”
“Everything. My skin.”
That was the impending shift.
He kissed her forehead. “The water will help,” he reminded her. Not wanting to part from her for even a moment, he carried her to the kitchen, grabbed a bottle of juice from the fridge, and headed for the master bathroom.
Olivia was uncomfortable, and he hated seeing her brow furrowed. He set the bottle on the vanity and quickly turned on the water to let the tub fill, adjusting the temperature to a cooler level than would ordinarily be comfortable.
As soon as the water level was high enough, he stepped into the tub and carefully lowered to his ass, arranging her to sit between his legs so she was leaning against his chest.
She wasn’t fully cognizant of anything. She seemed surprised when the water touched her and slightly frightened.
Damon wrapped his arm around her beneath her breasts. “You’re okay, Baby girl. Daddy’s got you.” He grabbed a cup and splashed water around her shoulders, letting it run down her breasts. That seemed to calm her a bit.
Her eyes were closed, and he realized he would never know if she was at rest when she did that or simply didn’t want to bother holding them open for no reason.
He reached for the soap and a washcloth, poured some onto the wetted cloth, and started with her hands. He loved the little sigh she made as he moved up her arms and continued down her chest and legs, ending with her sensitive folds.
He didn’t linger when she winced. This time, he knew she was too sensitive.
“Feels so good,” she whispered, her head lolling back on his shoulder.
“I’m glad, Baby girl. I know you’re hot.”
“Will I shift soon?”
“Yes. I’ll check your temperature again when we get out of the tub. The water should feel good, but it won’t lower your temperature. Relax for a while first.” He grabbed the bottle of juice and stroked her lips with it. “It’s juice, Little one. You need to drink.”
She opened her mouth and accepted the nipple.
Relief flooded him that she wasn’t fighting him about the bottle or her nudity. She was getting comfortable and beginning to understand what her new life entailed.
When she stopped drinking and pushed the bottle away, he cupped her chin and chastised her. “All of it, Baby girl. You need the fluids.”
She shook her head and pursed her lips.
He chuckled at her rebellious side, knowing she was testing him. “Daddy will never back down. When I tell you to do something, it will always be for a reason, and I expect you to obey me. I know you’re overheated and itching to shift, but I won’t hesitate to spank your bottom if that’s what you need right now. Do you want Daddy to spank you?”
She shook her head, lips still pursed.
He tapped the nipple against her mouth again. “Drink the rest.”
She finally relented. “Meanie.”
He chuckled again, shaking both of them as his Little rebel resumed suckling. She was so fucking precious. There was nothing in the world that compared to holding her naked body while she submitted to him.
She’d definitely been testing him because she sucked down the rest as though she’d never had a drink before.
He pushed a wet curl away from her cheek. “Good girl.”
When it was empty, he set it aside and drizzled water over her shoulders again. Her hair was dangling in the water, plastered to his chest and her back and shoulders, but they would deal with it later. All that mattered now was getting her through her first shift.
“Ready to get out, Baby girl?”
She nodded.
He rose to his feet, taking her with him. Keeping both hands on her, he stepped out before lifting her over the side and standing her on her feet on the bathmat.
He was concerned about her equilibrium. It wasn’t unusual for newly mated females to be off-kilter right before their first shift, but the addition of her inability to see was exacerbating the problem.
Wrapping his fingers around her shoulder to steady her, he used his other hand to reach for a towel to dry her off, including patting her long hair until it was no longer dripping. Her skin was warm to the touch and flushed. Her shift was close.
He made quick work of patting himself mostly dry too before swinging her up into his arms again and carrying her back to the bed. Easing her onto her side, he said, “Pull your top leg up for me, Baby girl.”
She shook her head defiantly. “Don’t want my temperature taken again.”
He set a hand firmly on her hip and kissed her temple. “Who makes that decision, Little rebel?”