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)
“Aw, I wouldn’t do that, Daddy. Just like you wouldn’t punish me for climbing on the counter, right?”
“Oh, that deserves a spanking. But you’re going to promise me you’ll never do that again.”
“Of course, Daddy. I’d never…. Wait, did you disappear to hide the stepladder?”
“You’ll never find it,” he promised.
“Daddy!”
“Come here, Precious. Bring your toys. Let’s play and forget about the rest of the world, real and fictional.”
In a flash, she sat next to him. “Here, Daddy. You can have this duck.”
“Thanks, Little girl. You’re so generous,” he told her, eying the dozen floaties she kept for herself.
“I know. I’m an angel. That’s the gang the Little girls should be in. The Devil’s Angels. We could have leather cuts just like yours.”
“That won’t happen, Caroline.”
“Why not?”
“No chance in hell,” he elaborated.
“Wait until everyone finds their Littles. Then we Angels will band together and rise up!” Caroline thrust her fist out of the water, scattering suds in all directions.
“What if the Devil Daddy has a Little boy instead of a Little girl?” Wraith asked.
Slowly, Caroline’s rigid protest arm deflated and plopped back into the bathtub. “He might not want to be called an Angel?”
“Maybe not.”
“Fine. Those leather cuts are too heavy anyway. I’d be hunched over like an old lady in a year,” she said, demonstrating. When she sat up, she had bubbles on the end of her nose. Caroline could barely see it if she concentrated.
“Let me help you before your eyes get stuck like that,” Wraith said and wiped her nose clean.
“Thanks, Daddy. I don’t think I could type like that. Oh! I’ve got it figured out. I have to get out now,” she said, scrambling to return to her computer as a solution ricocheted into her brain, ending her roadblock.
Wraith grabbed her around the waist and held her in the tub before calling the assistant on his phone. “Hey, Siri. Open a Word document and write this down.”
He had the best ideas. Caroline spoke quickly, outlining the simple solution she’d come up with to the assistant. Taking care of that before she could forget it helped her stop worrying.
“I’m done, Daddy.”
“Siri, end recording.”
Caroline leaned back on his chest, playing with the mermaid on her tummy. “I’m so much better now.”
“I’m glad. By the way, how much bourbon did you drink?”
“I got trapped up there about fifteen minutes before you came home.”
“Trapped?”
“Yeah. I couldn’t figure out how to get to the floor without falling.”
“So you kept drinking bourbon?” he asked, sounding incredulous.
“Hey, it’s good bourbon.” She snickered at his expression. “I’m teasing. I’d only had a couple of sips.”
“That bourbon may have to disappear as well.”
Her giggles filled the bathroom, and she turned to lever herself over Wraith, straddling his hips. She tickled him until he laughed along with her.
“Kiss me, Precious. Maybe you can convince me to put the bourbon on a lower shelf,” Wraith suggested.
“Really?”
“Not ever going to happen,” he confessed.
She gave him a few hundred kisses anyway. It turned out he was right. Bubbles did have a rejuvenating effect.
CHAPTER 19
On her way back to Wraith’s side after a trip to the restroom at Inferno, Caroline waved at several people. She loved being a part of the group here. The bartenders were all amazing, and of course, the Devil Daddies kept an eye on her. Best of all, they were glad to see her too.
“Hey. Come dance,” a male voice demanded.
That definitely wasn’t Wraith’s gravelly tone. Caroline glanced up in surprise. Now that the crowd was used to seeing her with Wraith, guys didn’t approach her. Who’d want to mess with Wraith?
“Hey. Sorry. I’m with someone. I only boogie with him,” Caroline answered politely and turned to walk away.
Caroline stared down at the firm hand squeezing her upper arm. “Ouch! Let me go. I said no.”
“I wasn’t inviting you. Consider it a demand.” The man walked toward the dance floor, pulling Caroline after him.
She struggled to free herself, but he tightened his fingers. “Hey. Thank you for the compliment, but you really want to leave me alone.”
“Right now, I want to dance with you.”
He tugged her into his arms and swayed like they were dancing to a romantic, slow song, even though the upbeat tempo of the music had others rocking around them at high speed. Caroline pushed hard.
“I said no!”
When the jerk laughed, Caroline looked around frantically. She made eye contact with Razor, who stood at the bar. Please let him see the panic on my face.
Immediately, Razor ran toward her, bellowing for Wraith. He elbowed a path through the dance floor.
“Back off, asshole!” Wraith shouted from behind her, drawing the man’s attention.
Caroline knew the moment the jerk spotted the enormous man approaching. His eyes widened, and he immediately released his hold on her and backed up with his hands raised. She scurried away from the aggressive man so he couldn’t grab her again. She couldn’t get to Wraith as he approached from the opposite direction. Several of the dancers put themselves between her and her assailant. While she appreciated the buffer, she had to see what happened.