Series: Little Cakes Series by Pepper North
Total pages in book: 48
Estimated words: 45066 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 225(@200wpm)___ 180(@250wpm)___ 150(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 45066 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 225(@200wpm)___ 180(@250wpm)___ 150(@300wpm)
“Please, just Trace. We’re not at work.” Ordinarily most detectives would refer to their captain reverently in any setting, but Trace suspected his relationship with Wyatt was bound to become familiar and friendly since both of them belonged to Blaze and so did their Littles. Formality was going to have to be set aside.
“Okay. Trace it is.” Wyatt smiled.
Lark was grinning wide. “I told Daddy you two were dating. It was the only thing that made sense, but—”
Wyatt wrapped one hand around his Little girl and covered her mouth with the other. “How about if you stop jumping to conclusions and let me speak with Avery?”
Lark’s eyes were wide as she nodded.
Wyatt released her mouth with his hand and kissed her lips. “You can expect my palm to be well acquainted with your bottom later today too, Kitten.”
“Sorry, Daddy.”
“I think it would be nice if you showed Trace around the house while I speak to Avery out back?” He glanced at Avery.
It was admirable of him to give Avery the opportunity to explain herself without everyone listening, but Trace didn’t want her to face her partner alone. He wrapped his arms more solidly around her from behind and flattened her back to his chest. He gave her a squeeze, hoping to convey that he’d like her to speak right here in front of all of them.
Avery cleared her throat. “That’s not necessary. Lark guessed right. There isn’t much more to say. We, uh… We hit it off, and now we’re…” She drew in a deep breath and tipped her head back to meet Trace’s gaze. “What are we?”
He kissed her cheek, proud of her, before looking back toward Wyatt. “In front of the two of you and her friends at the club, I’m her Daddy. Avery has agreed to be my Little girl,” he announced.
Lark squealed and clapped her hands together. “I’m so excited for you.”
Trace looked toward Wyatt and continued. “I don’t want to tiptoe around and lie to the department. Not about the important fact anyway. That we’re dating. No one outside of Blaze or Avery’s closest friends needs to know she’s Little. I would never out her like that, but our relationship is too serious to deny.”
Wyatt smiled. “You’ll get no arguments from me.” He turned his attention to his partner. “Avery deserves all the happiness in the world.”
Avery’s shoulders relaxed. She’d obviously been really nervous about this confrontation. “You still can’t treat me differently at work,” she said sternly.
Wyatt shook his head. “Never.”
“Are you looking for a house for both of you then?” Lark asked.
“Definitely,” Trace responded.
Avery tensed all over again in his arms, but he wasn’t sure why. Maybe she didn’t like this particular house. They hadn’t gotten past the front foyer yet. “Show us around,” he encouraged.
For the next ten minutes, Lark gave them a tour of the home. She even pointed out a room next to the master bedroom that would make the perfect nursery.
During the tour, Avery remained completely quiet, though she continued to fidget.
Trace wanted to confront her, but not in front of Lark and Wyatt. Something was still bothering her. He didn’t think it was the admission that she was his Little girl. That part was done and settled. Trace also didn’t believe Wyatt would ever use that information to hurt her or make her feel inferior at work. He wasn’t that kind of man. After all, he was a Daddy too.
“Would you like to see the backyard?” Lark asked as they finished upstairs.
“Actually,” Trace began, “would you mind giving us a few minutes alone?”
“Of course.” Lark turned toward Wyatt. He took her hand and the two of them headed downstairs, their footsteps obvious on the hardwood steps.
Trace led Avery back to the nursery and stepped into the center. Perhaps if she had some vision, she would soften to the house. It was a nice house. They could look at as many as she wanted, but first Trace needed to understand her hesitation.
“This would make the perfect nursery,” he pointed out.
“I guess,” she murmured.
He stepped to her front and tipped her chin back. “If you don’t like this house, we can look at others.”
She shook her head. “That’s not it. This house is fine, Daddy.”
“Fine is a terrible adjective for a new home. Tell Daddy what’s bothering you.”
He watched closely while she chewed on her bottom lip for a moment. “You’ll be mad.”
His eyes went wide. Why would she think he’d get mad? It made no sense. “Mae Bug, Daddy is not going to get mad at you for sharing your opinion. I will, however, spank you right here in this empty room if you aren’t honest about your thoughts.”
She squirmed adorably and shifted her weight. Spanking was not going to be a deterrent for his Little girl.
She drew in a breath. “I don’t want a new house. I like my house. I worked hard for years saving up my money so I could afford it. I looked for months before choosing it. I love it so much. I don’t want to sell it.”