Series: Little Cakes Series by Pepper North
Total pages in book: 48
Estimated words: 44951 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 225(@200wpm)___ 180(@250wpm)___ 150(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 44951 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 225(@200wpm)___ 180(@250wpm)___ 150(@300wpm)
Adam dismissed that thought with a shake of his head. “You ready to head home, Rosebud?”
She nodded. “I’m exhausted. I felt like I was behind most of the day. Traffic was so thick on the way here that I barely made it to work before the store opened. Larisa was already waiting for me.”
Daddy lifted a brow and stared at her. “Hmmm. Let’s go home, Little girl.” He took her keys from her, unlocked her car, and helped her into the driver’s seat. “Buckle up, Rosebud.”
She pulled the seatbelt across her chest and fastened it before grinning at him. “Silly, Daddy. I’ve been driving for half my life. I always wear my seatbelt. You don’t have to worry about me. I can take care of myself.”
He chuckled. “Is that so?”
“Yes.” She sat straighter, feeling proud of herself.
He tapped the roof of her car with his hand. “I’ll follow you to the bank and then home.”
As she watched him climb into his SUV, she thought something was strange about the last few things he’d said. Actually, he hadn’t said much at all. Mostly, he’d listened, but it had seemed like he definitely had some things he wanted to say. Did they have anything to do with the numbers he’d texted her? She hadn’t had a chance to ask him what one, two, and three meant.
I guess I’ll find out when we get home.
Chapter Ten
Adam was pretty sure his Little girl had no idea she was about to get her bottom spanked. Even though their relationship was new, he needed to make sure his little Rosebud understood that Daddy made rules for a reason, and he expected her to follow them. When she didn’t, there would be consequences.
He’d spent some time today pondering his normal schedule and readjusting. If his Little girl wasn’t going to get home until about nine-thirty at night, they needed to eat dinner at that hour, which meant shifting his evening schedule.
He’d already started making changes at work so he could come in later every morning and work later in the evenings. He wanted his schedule to mirror Rose’s as much as possible. He would still have plenty of time to prepare dinner before she got off work.
Adam opened the garage door as they approached, hoping his Little girl would notice he’d cleared one side so her car would fit too. She pulled tentatively into the driveway, but waited for him to pass her and park.
He came to her window as soon as he hopped down from the SUV. “This will be your spot from now on, Rosebud,” he said, pointing at the empty garage slot in front of her.
“Really?” She stared at it and then him.
He furrowed his brow. “Are you afraid you’ll hit something, Rosebud?”
She shook her head. “No. It just feels so…”
“Like you live here?” he supplied.
She nodded. “That’s it.”
“More than unpacking your belongings into my drawers this morning, naughty girl?”
She flinched and met his gaze with wide eyes. Her mouth dropped open.
He pointed at the garage again. “Park, Little girl. We’ll talk inside.” He watched her ease her car into the spot even though there was more than enough space for her smaller vehicle.
Meeting her at her door, he opened it and helped her out before leading her into the kitchen. After shutting the garage door and the door to the house, he turned to find her staring at him, eyes still wide. “Am I in trouble?” Her lip quivered and a tear fell down her cheek.
Adam closed the distance and pulled her into his arms before tipping her chin back and kissing her briefly. “No need for tears, Rosebud. Little girls make mistakes. When they do, they get disciplined, wipe the slate, and start over.”
“Is this why you were texting me numbers? Did I make three mistakes today?” Her voice was shaky.
“Yep. Do you know what any of them were?” He held her tight, wanting her to understand that he loved her dearly no matter what.
“Uhhh… Noo…” She didn’t meet his gaze.
“I bet you can guess.”
Her shoulders drooped. “I forgot to text you when I got out of the shower.”
“Yes. That’s one.”
She lifted her face, her eyes lighting up. “I did eat my lunch. All of it,” she blurted.
He chuckled. “I’m glad, Rosebud. That doesn’t erase the naughty things though, does it?”
She shook her head.
“What did you consume that you weren’t supposed to?”
She winced. “Oh, that. How did you know?”
He chuckled again. “You left your coffee mug in the bathroom on the counter.”
She groaned.
“What did I say about coffee?”
“But, Daddy, I need coffee in the mornings. I don’t think I can make it through the day without it.”
He lifted a brow. “What did Daddy say?”
She sighed adorably. “You said to try eating real foods that are good for me to see if I have enough energy that way instead.”