Total pages in book: 158
Estimated words: 160684 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 803(@200wpm)___ 643(@250wpm)___ 536(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 160684 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 803(@200wpm)___ 643(@250wpm)___ 536(@300wpm)
“Well, I knew you weren’t where I’d put you. In the bed. Where you should have stayed.” He pointed at the bed.
“I hads to pee.”
“Then you should have called me. I need a baby monitor for in here. In fact, we should make this room more baby girl friendly.”
She wasn’t quite sure what he meant by that. “I have to ask to use the bathroom?”
“You stay where I put you.” He waggled a finger at her. Rude.
“Daddy, I don’t has to stay where you put me.”
“Yes, baby girl. You do. Especially in Little headspace. I wonder if we can fit a crib in here.”
He was crazy.
Although she wasn’t completely opposed to the crib. So she decided the best idea was to change the subject.
“I should get changed, go back to work.”
“Didn’t I tell you that you’re taking the afternoon off?”
She bit her lip. “Yes, well, but that doesn’t feel right.”
“Who is the boss?” he demanded.
“Grady,” she replied instantly. Because, technically, he was her boss. Even though Steele was The Boss.
His eyes narrowed. “I’m rethinking my views on spanking you while you have your period.”
“You’re The Boss, Daddy!” she said quickly. “The big boss. Biggest, bossiest boss of all the bosses.”
He stared at her for a moment. Probably wondering why she was acting like an idiot. Then, to her shock, he gave an arrogant nod.
“That’s better.”
Good. Lord.
“Now, how is your period pain?” His face and eyes had grown warm. He was a hard man to keep up with.
“I’m fine.”
And just like that, the warmth was gone. See? It was impossible to keep up with this man’s moods.
“You’re very moody,” she informed him.
His eyebrows rose. “Sorry?”
“I’m the one with my period and you’re the one who is being moody. Maybe we’re synced.”
“Synced?” he asked in a low, warning voice.
But she didn’t take any notice of the warning in his voice.
More fool her.
“Yeah, maybe you have IMS.”
“IMS?” Suddenly he was in front of her. And she had to crane her neck to look up at him.
“Yep. Like PMS but for men. Irritable Man Syndrome.”
“Irritable Man Syndrome?”
“Umm . . .” Her eyes tried to search for an escape route. But there was no way she was getting around him.
Did he have to be so darn big?
“Definitely rethinking my stance on spanking you right now, baby girl.”
Uh oh.
“Maybe it’s time Effie stopped talking.”
“Perhaps it’s time Effie was honest with her Daddy. Because a baby girl doesn’t lie to her Daddy.”
“I didn’t lie exactly. I feel better than I did. A bit crampy.” She rubbed her tummy which grumbled. “Little bit hungry. I need chocolate.”
“You need proper food. Something with iron in it. Not sugar.”
“Daddy, that’s just mean. You got to admit, you have all the symptoms of IMS. Grouchy with mood swings. Maybe you need some chocolate. And not the sugar-free kind. The real stuff.”
“No.”
That was all he said. Just no.
Sheesh.
“Did you go potty while in the bathroom?” he asked, taking her hand.
Her eyes bugged out of her head. “What?”
“I asked if you went potty.”
“You can’t call it that.”
“Can call it whatever I like, baby girl.” His eyes were back to dancing.
Mood. Swings.
“I used the toilet, yes. Thank you for asking.” Urgh, why did she just thank him for that?
Idiot.
Now his lips were twitching. “You’re a nut.”
She was a nut? He just said the word potty and wanted her to stay where he put her.
He started tugging her toward the door that led out to the main room. She tugged back.
He turned, eyeing her. Then, without a word, he swept her up and held her on his hip.
“Daddy, what are you doing?”
She wriggled, trying to free herself.
“Stop moving around,” he commanded, smacking the side of her thigh. “I don’t want you to slip.”
“That would never happen, Daddy,” she said confidently.
“You think not?”
“No, cause you’d never let me fall.”
He stilled at the doorway and glanced down at her. “You’re right. I never would.” He carried her out into the main room.
“Damon,” she whispered nervously.
“I’d never let you fall, baby girl. Also never let you be in a position where you might be embarrassed or humiliated. Trust me?”
“Always,” she replied. And she knew he meant it. He’d never do anything that might hurt her. Physically or emotionally.
“Your trust means everything.”
As they entered the room, she saw that he’d moved the coffee table over slightly. Sitting on top were a laptop and cup of coffee. Then just behind the coffee table, he’d set a fluffy rug down on the floor in front of the sectional.
Sitting on the fluffy rug were some coloring books and pens. Along with a pile of blocks and a set of wooden dolls that had outfits that you could change out.
“Ooh, Daddy! I love those dollies!”
“That’s good, baby girl. Because I need you to do some playing while Daddy works for a bit, all right?”