Total pages in book: 35
Estimated words: 33573 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 168(@200wpm)___ 134(@250wpm)___ 112(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 33573 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 168(@200wpm)___ 134(@250wpm)___ 112(@300wpm)
My face heats ten more degrees as I lower my arms. My embarrassment stems from how Little I feel right now.
Elijah acts like it’s no big deal as he lifts my princess dress over my head. “Arms up again, Baby girl. I’ll try to avoid your palms as I lower the dress onto you.”
He takes his time, being cautious, while I hold my breath. In seconds, my favorite dress is settled over me, and Elijah is adjusting the thin straps at my shoulders. He bends down to put my ballet slippers on next and then takes a step back. “You look so pretty, Petra. Exactly like a princess.”
I shake my head. “Princesses are more graceful. They don’t have boo-boos on their hands and knees.”
He chuckles. “Princesses get boo-boos too, Little one.” He reaches back into my bag and pulls out my brush. “Pigtails or braids?”
My eyes widen. “You can do hair?”
“Of course. What kind of a Daddy would I be if I couldn’t do a Little girl’s hair?”
I giggle.
He smiles. “I love that sound, Baby girl.” He lifts me off the counter and stands me on my feet, spinning me around to brush through my hair.
I watch in the mirror as he carefully parts my hair down the center. “I think braids, yeah?”
“Yes, Sir.” I’m mesmerized by everything he does. He’s so gentle and kind. He doesn’t even pull a single hair while he efficiently braids first one side and then the other, finishing both off with a red bow.
“Now, you’re the perfect princess,” he declares, setting his hands on my shoulders and meeting my gaze in the mirror.
“Thank you so much, Sir.” My nearly black hair looks pretty in the long braids. My skin is paler than usual after what I went through. My dark eyes look darker.
“You’re welcome, Little one. Now, how about we find you a bottle of water and a rocking chair?” Elijah tucks my street clothes and shoes into my bag and puts it in a locker.
I feel kind of useless watching him, but my palms are on fire still, and I don’t want to get the ointment on anything.
“Ready?” Elijah surprises me by sweeping me off the floor again.
I giggle in his arms, holding my hands out, palms up. “You don’t have to carry me,” I insist.
“I like carrying you, Baby girl.”
My breath hitches when he kisses my forehead, and I lean my head against his shoulder, relaxing into his strong arms as he carries me from the bathroom.
Misha is waiting outside the bathroom. “Is she okay?”
“She’ll be fine. She just needs a few minutes to catch her breath and drink some water. I bet she’ll be off and running in the play room in no time.”
I swallow. Suddenly the idea of playing with the other Littles in the play room doesn’t sound nearly as appealing as it did when I left my house earlier. Sitting in Elijah’s lap being pampered and rocked sounds way more fun.
“I’ll get you a bottle of water,” Misha declares before turning around and dashing off.
Elijah makes a beeline for one of the recovery rooms and smiles when he sees a recliner is available. He settles in the huge chair and adjusts me on his lap. “Comfy?”
“Yes, Sir.” I don’t mention that my dress is hitched up, and I’m sitting on my panties on his thigh because I kind of like how it feels.
Misha rushes into the room and hands Elijah a bottle of water. “I have to get back to the front desk, but let me know if you need anything else,” she tells him before shifting her gaze to me. “I’m glad you’re okay, Petra. I was worried. Mike went back out front to see if he could find that guy, but he couldn’t.”
“Thank you, Misha,” I tell her.
Elijah screws off the top of the water bottle. I expect him to hand it to me, but instead, he tips me back and holds it to my lips. “Drink some water, Little one.”
I take a sip and then another, realizing I’m thirsty.
“Good girl. I’m going to text a buddy of mine on the local police force and have him come take a statement. Even though there’s probably no way to catch that guy this time, the police need a record of the crime.”
I wince and glance at my dress. “Now?”
“While it’s still fresh in your mind, Little one. Don’t worry. My buddy Chase will understand. He’s a Daddy himself. Nothing happens in The Dungeon that would surprise him.”
“Oh.” I chew on my bottom lip. “Do I have to?” I shudder. I don’t really want to talk about the assault.
Elijah chuckles. “Yes, Little one. I need you to be brave. It won’t take long. I promise.” He leans to one side to lift a hip, pulls out his phone, and sends a quick text.