Total pages in book: 48
Estimated words: 44845 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 224(@200wpm)___ 179(@250wpm)___ 149(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 44845 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 224(@200wpm)___ 179(@250wpm)___ 149(@300wpm)
“A pacifier, Little one. You were a bit distressed. It helped keep you calm. Perhaps a bit too calm. You’ve been asleep for a while.”
She licked her lips, sensing the indentation from the pacifier around her mouth. She must look ridiculous. “Why would you give me a pacifier?” she whispered.
“It’s customary for Alpha Protectors to soothe their Little girls in many ways, Khloe.”
She couldn’t process that information. Was she still partly asleep? She slowly turned her head to look around. They were in a living room that opened into a kitchen. “This is your home?”
“Our home now, Little one.” He slowly eased her more upright and then grabbed her hips and settled her on one of his. “How about if I give you a tour?”
She considered arguing that she could walk on her own, but she kind of liked being this close to him. She felt…protected. That made very little sense since they were in his house. She was safe. She didn’t need protection. But she got the feeling he thought she needed protecting, so she wrapped her arms around his neck, set her chin on his shoulder, and held on tight.
At some point, he had changed clothes. He was wearing a soft long-sleeved shirt. It felt nice against her skin. She was still wearing the ceremonial dress, and she was kind of relieved to know he hadn’t taken it off her.
On the other hand… Maybe that was a lie. Now that she’d been awake for a few seconds, and she was so close to him, inhaling his scent with every breath, she had a strange urge to be even closer.
Felix stood in the middle of the room and slowly turned in a circle. There were a lot of things in the great room that caught her attention and made her nearly panic, but before she had a chance to ask any questions, she was suddenly facing a grand piano.
Khloe squealed loudly before shoving against Felix and wiggling in his arms to get down. “Oh, my heavens! You have a piano!” She fought against him when he wouldn’t put her down.
Instead he held her tighter and carried her toward the piano. “I guess you like your surprise.” He chuckled as he pulled out the bench with one hand and then stepped over it to sit, swinging her around so she sat on one of his thighs with her legs dangling between his knees.
Khloe continued to squirm. She wanted to touch the keys so badly. She’d never seen a piano this nice in her life. She bet it would sound better than any instrument she’d ever played.
Felix finally lowered her to stand in front of the bench, but he kept her between his legs and wrapped his arms around her. He kissed her neck.
Her hands shook as she lifted them to the keys. “Do you play?” she asked.
“No, Baby girl. I’ve never played an instrument.”
She twisted her head to look at him. “Why do you have a piano?”
He chuckled again, a deep rumbling sound she already loved. “For you, Little one. Leah told me you liked to play, so I got you a piano.”
She stared at him. Tears started running down her cheeks. She’d hoped and prayed her mate would let her continue to enjoy music in some fashion even if it meant getting her a harmonica or a kazoo, but she’d never dreamed of him owning a piano.
He didn’t simply happen to own one, though. He’d bought the best one she’d ever seen just for her. He hadn’t even known her, and he’d made this gigantic gesture.
Khloe was overwhelmed, and she turned in his arms so she was facing him. She slid her hands from his shoulders to his neck. “Thank you,” she choked out, trying not to actually sob.
He cupped her face and wiped away her tears with his thumbs. “I would move the mountains for you, Khloe.”
Now she really did start sobbing.
He didn’t say a word about her crying. He simply held her close and stroked her cheeks.
Her heart was racing. She felt things she’d never experienced before. She’d been told the bond she would have with her mate would be stronger than any other relationship she’d ever had, including with her parents or her sister, but she hadn’t expected this.
As she stared into his eyes, she felt their connection growing. Something was happening between them. It was intense. Her breasts felt heavy, and her stomach started fluttering. She squeezed her legs together as a pressure built between them in the place she knew he would enter her.
She started shaking, confused and nervous. “Felix…”
He set his forehead against hers. “Don’t fight it, Baby girl.”
“I don’t understand.”
“You will.”
“I…” She had no idea how to finish that sentence. She wanted something, but what?
Felix slid his hands up and down her back until he cupped her butt and squeezed.