Total pages in book: 50
Estimated words: 47579 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 238(@200wpm)___ 190(@250wpm)___ 159(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 47579 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 238(@200wpm)___ 190(@250wpm)___ 159(@300wpm)
“Congratulations, Caroline.” He celebrated with her before prompting her. “And when you finished?”
“I knew my connection to you was more than infatuation or excitement about having a bad boy in my life. You could be a sacker at the grocery store, and I’d be sure you're mine.”
“So, you came to test out the attraction to see if it was real?”
She could hear the hesitation in his voice. “No. I came to beg you to give me a second chance. To see if we,” she waved a hand back and forth between them, “could repair this.”
Wraith sat quietly for several seconds. Caroline gave him time, dealing with the apprehension that built inside her with every moment that passed. “Thank you for explaining, Little girl. I’m proud of you. You were very brave.”
“Why didn’t you try to see me?”
“You were scared of me, Precious. If I’d appeared at your condo, how would you have reacted? With fear or with happiness?”
“I can’t tell you that.”
“That’s why I didn’t show up at your door. I better get those steaks before they’re charcoal.” Wraith scooped her up as he stood and placed Caroline gently on the warm chair. He opened a storage chest and pulled out a wrapped package. Ripping the packaging away, he draped the soft gray fabric over her before he left the screened-in porch.
Squirming into a comfortable position in the cushions Wraith had warmed, Caroline pulled the throw up to her chin and snuggled the blanket close. She smoothed a hand over the plush material. She loved how it felt on her skin. After rubbing a handful against her cheek, she tucked it under her chin.
“You look as comfortable as a bug in a rug,” Wraith teased when he returned.
“I love this, Daddy.”
“I’m glad. Lucien gifts each of the Devil Daddies a blanket to give to their Little girl. If you run your hand down to the corner, you’ll find our logo printed there. It’s his way of welcoming you to our family.”
“You only get one? Do you want me to put this back in the bag?” she asked, realizing this was much more than a simple cover.
“It’s yours now, Little girl. I’ve given it to you.”
Incredibly touched, Caroline blinked away the moisture that gathered in her eyes. What had she ever done to deserve this man? “Thank you, Wraith.”
“You are very welcome. Now, I’m headed into the kitchen to grab a plate to pull the steaks off the grill. It’s getting chilly out here. Bring your blankie and Jam, and we’ll go inside.”
“Can I set the table?”
“Yes, Precious. You can set the table for me.”
CHAPTER 9
Caroline put down her fork with a sigh of delight. “I’m so full. You’re a phenomenal cook. That steak was perfect.”
“Would you like more mac and cheese?” he asked, holding out a spoonful to drop on her plate.
“No way. I’m stuffed. You eat it.” She grinned when he followed her suggestion and popped the serving spoon into his mouth to polish it off.
Dining with Wraith was completely low stress. He didn’t care how much she ate, and judging from tonight, the amount he consumed would always exceed hers. In a world where guys often expected women to eat dainty portions, it was a relief to relax and consume what she wanted. Best of all, Wraith had included healthy additions on the dinner menu, so it wasn’t like she was only dining on crap. She’d loaded up on salad and apple slices to balance out the more caloric steak and cheesy pasta.
“Mmm.” He hummed with delight as he chewed.
“The dishes are mine,” she announced, needing to do something to help.
“Not happening,” he mumbled before swallowing. “Why don’t you and Jam choose a book on the shelf in the nursery, and we can read that after I finish putting this away?”
“That’s not fair,” she protested.
“My goal isn’t to balance who does what around the house, Caroline. I want to take care of my Little girl.”
How could she argue with that? She loved how he made her fantasies of having a Daddy come true. Caroline wanted to pinch herself to make sure she wasn’t dreaming this. Wraith would frown on her hurting herself so she focused on his request. “Okay. Any preferences on the book?”
“Completely your choice. I picked out a bunch that sounded interesting. If you can’t settle on one, try the close your eyes and point method.” Wraith demonstrated by covering his eyes with a hand and moving his other back and forth in a row before pointing and grabbing that imaginary book.
“I’ll go find one now,” she said, pushing back from the table. After grabbing Jam and her blankie, Caroline dashed out of the kitchen.
She skidded to a slower pace when Wraith yelled, “No running in the house, Precious.”
“Okay, Daddy.”
Cuddling Jam close to her heart, Caroline kissed his head. “That’s my Jam,” she whispered and laughed at the joke she’d made, happy her monkey had liked that name too.