Total pages in book: 58
Estimated words: 54208 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 271(@200wpm)___ 217(@250wpm)___ 181(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 54208 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 271(@200wpm)___ 217(@250wpm)___ 181(@300wpm)
“Is that a coincidence, or did you plot a nickname that makes my initials?” she asked as she scooted to the edge of the bed.
“I did not go through the Daddy list of possible names for a Little girl and find one that included a C and a B. I could just call you Cuddle Bug if you’d prefer.”
“Out in public?” she said, aghast, as she sat up.
“You’d prefer CB?” he asked, teasing. “Then it will be a secret that you love to sleep right next to your Daddy.”
Celeste stared at him with wide eyes as he hauled her back against him. Her nightshirt bunched around her legs, and she stopped trying to get away as she realized her efforts were making it inch upward. “Mmm. Don’t you need to go to work?”
“You don’t snore, but you do talk in your sleep,” he informed her.
“What did I say?” Celeste didn’t even try to deny it. Her university roommate had teased her incessantly about the things she’d mumbled in her sleep.
“You might have mentioned a couple of times you wanted to kiss me,” he shared.
“That didn’t happen!”
“It did. You were obviously thinking about pressing your lips to mine.”
Her focus narrowed to his full lips. She knew she’d said that in her sleep because she’d thought of it several times during dinner. Her gaze darted back to link with his. Had she talked about other things she wanted to do with him?
His slow wink told her she’d talked about those as well. Instead of denying everything, Celeste leaned forward to kiss his lips. He responded, allowing her to control the kiss until she licked the seam of his lips to ask for entrance.
Hawking seized control of the exchange. His hand cupped the back of her head, holding her in place as he explored her mouth as if he had all the time in the world and wanted to savor her. She wrapped her arms around his neck and held on.
Her wordless sound of protest when he lifted his head made him smile. “I know, Cuddle Bug. I don’t want to go either. But I have to go to work. Why don’t you try to fall back asleep?”
“That’s never going to happen,” she stated emphatically. An image of her buzzing vibrator on her bed popped into her mind, causing a shiver to go through her.
“Whatever just popped into your mind, erase it, Little girl. You’re safe here with me.”
“I can’t believe you’re a Daddy.”
“I’m not just a Daddy; I’m your Daddy.”
“You can’t be sure of that.”
“Oh, I’m sure. I just need to help you be sure. I’ve got to get to work. Give me another kiss, and I’ll watch for you around the resort.”
“I’ll probably work in my room,” she said, looking around at the area that felt very safe now.
“I don’t want you to spend all your time in your room. How about we have dinner together?”
“I would love that.” She beamed at him.
“It’s a date, Cuddle Bug.”
He rolled off the bed and stopped to kiss her lightly before heading for the door with his phone in his hand. “Call me if you have any problems.”
“I don’t have a phone. Well, I’m not turning mine on.”
“I’ll take care of that for you. In the meantime, use the room phone. Will anyone call you here at the resort?”
“No. No one knows I’m here.”
“I’ll make sure the front desk doesn’t connect anyone to the room,” he continued. He also padded over to the desk, wrote something down on the hotel memo pad, and held it up. “My personal number. I’ll have breakfast sent up to you in one hour. It’ll be safe to open the door at that time.”
Celeste turned to look at the time and heard the click as he left, locking the door behind him. A smile curved her lips, and she stood up to stretch. She’d felt so secure last night. Crossing her fingers, she hoped she could get him to stay again.
Chapter Seven
After jogging up one floor to his apartment, Hawking showered and put on fresh clothes before heading down to the security office. He ordered breakfast to be delivered to Celeste’s room and to him.
“Anyone going into town today?” he asked his team through his earpiece.
“I’m headed there to pick up a couple who want to go scuba diving,” Caesar answered within seconds.
“Could you go early and pick up a disposable phone for me?”
“Of course.”
“Thank you, Caesar.”
“We missed you last night at dinner,” Rocco teased.
“I had a much prettier face to look at than you guys. I’ll get you caught up soon,” Hawking promised.
He had read all the evening security reports and had decided to check the perimeter of the resort when his phone buzzed. Hawking tapped the screen and brought the cell to his ear. “Magnus? How are things in the basement?”