Total pages in book: 48
Estimated words: 44411 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 222(@200wpm)___ 178(@250wpm)___ 148(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 44411 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 222(@200wpm)___ 178(@250wpm)___ 148(@300wpm)
She gave him the most dazzling smile that melted his heart and made him realize he needed to always be aware of her needs. “Really?” Her voice was doubtful.
“Really, Little firecracker. Let me tell you a story. One of my friends recently claimed his mate, and she is visually impaired. He made sure his home was filled with things he thought she would enjoy like earphones so she could listen to music and books. Guess what?”
Leah bit her bottom lip. It was so cute and so very sexy. She had no idea. “What?”
“It turns out she loves to paint.”
Leah’s eyes went wide.
Elias chuckled. “Yep. One day, I was left in charge of her and the other two Little girls who have recently mated in this area. They are devilish Little things when they get together. You will undoubtedly join their antics when you meet them.”
“What do you mean? Devilish?”
“Naughty. They plot against their mates on purpose.”
Leah gasped. “Why?”
Elias laughed. “Let’s come back to that part. It will shock you. What I’m trying to say is that those three begged me to let them go outside and paint on the back patio. I did because I’m a schmuck, and I didn’t fully understand how manipulative Little girls can be. Suzette and Jezebel taught Olivia how to paint. After that—after their mates got over the panic that followed their shenanigans—Damon bought Olivia all the art supplies she could possibly ever want. So, yes. I will make sure you have what you need to paint me beautiful pictures.”
Leah chewed on her bottom lip. “What if they aren’t beautiful? What if you don’t think I’m any good?”
He grinned. “You will never know. As your mate and your Daddy, I will always tell you your artwork is the most beautiful on Earth.”
Her breath hitched when he slid that word into the conversation. “Daddy?”
“Little girls who are mates of Alpha Protectors call their partners Daddy. It’s an endearment.”
She swallowed hard. Hopefully he hadn’t pushed her too far with that last tidbit of information. “You want me to call you Daddy?”
“When you’re ready.”
She shook her head as if pushing that last piece of information to the side. “You’ll really let me paint?”
He nodded. “I said I would, Little one. I won’t go back on my word.” He lifted his hand again. “Come.”
She hesitated before finally lowering her arms to her sides and shuffling forward. “I shouldn’t.”
“But you want to.”
“I should keep my distance. When you touch me, my brain will scramble. You have a weird spell cast over me.”
He chuckled. “I think it’s you who has a spell cast over me.”
She giggled for a moment before stopping herself, but it was long enough for the sound to travel to his cock and make him want her in his arms even more. Damn, this mating was ten times more intense than he could have predicted.
Chapter Ten
Leah knew she should stand her ground. Stay against the railing or even move off the porch and put more distance between them, but she couldn’t stop herself. She felt possessed by a power far stronger than her freewill.
She knew everything would change when he touched her this time. They were stepping into new territory. Her heart raced from nerves. It seemed like her blood was pumping through her body too fast. She couldn’t stop it any more than she could continue to deny him.
As soon as she lifted her hand and set it in his, the world stopped spinning. A strange peace settled over her. She was scared out of her mind, but she was calmer at the same time. He did that to her. He made her relax.
Elias pulled her gently closer until he released her hand, reached for her hips, and lifted her onto his lap.
She gasped but didn’t fight him. It was futile. Whatever was going to happen between them was inevitable. She could stall it, but in the end, she would only be buying hours, not days. She knew that in her soul.
Elias wrapped his arms around her and hugged her close to his chest.
She was sitting sideways across his lap, and she leaned her head against his shoulder. He was so huge. When he held her like this, she felt every bit as Little as he said she was.
“I’m going to tell you more about what life will be like here, Leah. I want you to know everything so you don’t feel blindsided later. Can you sit with me and listen without panicking?”
She licked her lips. “I’ll try.”
“Keep in mind that my top priority is and will always be you from now until the end of time. It doesn’t matter that I tried to fight it. You’re here now, and there’s no denying Fate is correct.” He nuzzled the top of her head. Was he inhaling her scent?