Series: Paige Michaels
Total pages in book: 48
Estimated words: 45693 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 228(@200wpm)___ 183(@250wpm)___ 152(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 45693 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 228(@200wpm)___ 183(@250wpm)___ 152(@300wpm)
“Okay,” she relented. But don’t hurt me.
Mateo himself showed up at that moment to set a huge plate of food in the middle of the table before placing two empty plates in front of them as if he’d planned this. “You’re off the clock, Maya,” he declared. “Enjoy dinner.” He was gone as fast as he’d arrived.
Maya stared after him. Meddling brother. Taking a deep breath, she turned her full attention to Deke. She owed it to herself to give him a chance. He was the first man she’d ever felt so googly-eyed about in her life. What if he really did like her enough to put up with her insecurities and shyness?
“This looks and smells delicious,” he said.
“It’s my favorite meal,” she admitted.
“Tell me what it’s called, Little one.” He released her hand to pick up the plate in front of her before reaching for the serving spoon.
“Picadillo.” She pointed toward the aromatic main dish. “It’s made with beef, raisins, and green olives. Plus all the delicious spices. It’s served with rice and beans, and I see Guille went overboard with all three servings.”
“It looks and smells delicious,” Deke said as he served her before himself.
“Thank you.” Her stomach grumbled. She realized she hadn’t eaten since lunch, and she was starving. Her nerves for the past few days had made it difficult for her to eat.
She watched Deke as he tried the picadillo, loving the way he enjoyed his food. He moaned around every bite, his eyes rolling back. His noises made her squirm. Does he moan like that when he has sex?
Her breath hitched at that thought. Why on earth was she thinking about what Deke might sound like in bed?
“I don’t know what you’re thinking about, Precious Girl, but I like it.” There were wrinkles in the corners of his eyes as he chuckled lightly. He also lifted her fork, scooped up the perfect bite, and brought it to her mouth.
Embarrassed, she accepted the bite and quickly took the fork from him. “I can do it.”
“I know you can, Little one. I have no doubt you can do anything you set your mind to, but I’m going to enjoy doing things for you, too. It’s instinctive. I want to take care of you. Will you let me, Precious Girl?”
She swallowed the bite and took a drink of water. “I don’t know. It’s scary.”
“New things are always a bit scary. I’ll do my best not to frighten you, and I’ll try hard not to rush you. My heart tells me you’re mine, and my brain wants to swoop you off that seat, settle you on my lap, and feed you from my plate.”
She stared at him, heart racing. Her nipples stiffened, making her grateful she was wearing a padded bra and La Havana polo. “I don’t think that would be very appropriate here in the restaurant. Customers might find it odd.”
He chuckled in that sexy voice of his she was growing to love. “True. I probably shouldn’t openly Daddy you in public. I’ll do my best to be discreet unless we’re around like-minded people at Blaze or Little Cakes. Warning, I won’t hold back when we’re in my home, though.”
She chewed and swallowed another bite. “I’ve never been to Blaze. My brother and Nora go there.”
“I’ll take you there sometime. You’ll love it. Until I joined I had no idea there were so many Littles and Daddies in this town.”
“I’m starting to notice that, too.” She decided to address the last thing he’d said. “I don’t think I’m ready to go to your home,” she whispered.
“Don’t worry, Precious Girl, we won’t ever do anything you’re not ready for.”
She glanced around, making sure no one was listening before leaning closer to him to admit, “There are a lot of things I’m not ready for.” Hopefully he would read between the lines. She thought it was important for him to know how inexperienced she was upfront, but it was awkward talking about it. She was proud of herself for managing to say even that one sentence.
Deke took her hand in his warm one again. “Precious Girl, don’t you fret. Daddy will know when you’re ready to try new things.”
She thought she might swoon. It was like living inside a book. Was he for real?
Chapter Three
Deke was internally fist-pumping as they finished their meal. As much as he loved her family, he really wanted to take her out of this restaurant and go somewhere they could talk without feeling like everyone was staring at them.
He was glad everyone at La Havana liked him and approved of him. It would make his life easier. But he wanted his Little girl to relax, and he knew she couldn’t do so with her family watching.
“Ready to go get cupcakes?” he asked as soon as the plates were cleared away.