Total pages in book: 81
Estimated words: 81930 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 410(@200wpm)___ 328(@250wpm)___ 273(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 81930 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 410(@200wpm)___ 328(@250wpm)___ 273(@300wpm)
“I’m so sorry,” she said, dropping her hand from Marcus’ mouth. Without thought, she reached over to squeeze Eliot’s hand. She ignored the throbbing pain in her hand. She blinked back tears.
“Hey now, I didn’t tell you to make you upset. It’s all right, little one.”
“Sorry,” she whispered. “It’s just easy to see how much you loved her. She must have been special.”
“She was.”
The door to the infirmary opened and a nurse peeked out.
“Hi, Isla, come on in. Master Derek just rang and said that your hand is looking a bit red. And that the bandage got wet?”
“Yes, I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to get it wet.”
“Of course not. These things happen. Would you like to come in alone or with your friends?”
“Not alone,” she said immediately.
Marcus raised his hand. “I’m her stuffie surrogate.”
“And a very cute one you are,” Nurse McIntosh said. “Come with me.”
Isla turned to Eliot, who was still standing there.
“I’ll just wait out here for you both.”
She wasn’t certain why he wanted to wait, but she also had this urge to ask him to come with them.
She shouldn’t ask.
He wasn’t their Daddy. He was just doing a favor for Derek by escorting them here.
So why is he staying? Isn’t he meant to be leaving?
“Isla?” he asked in a low voice. “Are you all right?”
She glanced at Marcus, then at the nurse, then back at Eliot.
Shoot. She was no good at asking for what she needed. She felt that familiar panic curl in her tummy, making her feel more nauseous than she already did.
“Um, I, uh… well…”
“Hey, what’s wrong?” Marcus walked over to her with worry in his eyes.
“Isla?”
She turned back to find Eliot had moved closer. Wow. That was a heady feeling. Having both of their attention.
“What do you need?” Eliot reached out and gently grabbed her chin, tilting her face back.
Her breath caught in her lungs at the feel of his touch. It was like thousands of butterflies brushing their wings over her skin. Strange and beautiful.
“I, um…”
“Tell us, Isla,” Marcus whispered in her ear as he pressed up behind her. “No one is going to be mad. And if he says no, then I’m here.”
Right. Marcus had her back. Always.
“Would you come in too, please,” she blurted out. Her eyes screwed shut as though she couldn’t bear to look at him while he was rejecting her.
“Of course. Let’s go.”
Chapter 11
Marcus watched with satisfaction as Eliot put his hand lightly on his girl’s back to guide her into the room.
He was a big guy. A lot older than they were. But Marcus liked that. He had to be at least six four, while Marcus stood just shy of six feet. Isla was only around five and a half feet, so Eliot looked huge towering over her.
But he was so gentle with her. He hovered over her, watching her like she was a pixie about to disappear right in front of him.
If Marcus had his way, no one would be disappearing.
At least not until they got to know this gentle giant better.
Perhaps his radar was off, but he had a really good feeling about Eliot Baird. And Marcus had learned to trust his instincts.
He knew they needed someone who wasn’t afraid to be stern, but who also knew how to give cuddles.
“Marcus?”
He glanced over to find Isla watching him worriedly as she sat on the bed. Eliot was standing at the end of the bed while the nurse looked over Isla’s hand.
“Sorry, daydreaming.” He bounced over to the bed. “We don’t have to chop if off, do we?”
The nurse glanced up at him with a smile. “No, we don’t. I think we’ll try putting some special cream on it. And then we can wrap it back up. Okay, Isla?”
“Will it hurt?”
“Not at all.”
“Will she get a sucker for being brave?”
Nurse Cain looked over at Eliot, then to Isla. She seemed a bit confused by their dynamic. Marcus got it. He was a Little. Eliot was a Daddy. And Isla… was a Little in hiding. The poor nurse wasn’t quite sure how to treat her or them.
“Do you want a sucker, Isla?” she finally asked.
Eliot didn’t say a word. Marcus nodded at Isla over the nurse’s head. She should get the sucker. Because then she’d give it to Marcus.
Isla wasn’t into suckers.
Which meant more for him.
“Yes, please,” she said quietly as the nurse put some antiseptic on the cut and wrapped it back up.
“What should we do if it continues to be sore and red?” Eliot finally said.
Isla shot her gaze up to his.
“Well, hopefully this helps. Check it tonight. If it’s still red and hot, I think we should call the doctor. She might need antibiotics. Okay, Isla?”
“Yeah, all right.”
“Now, you were very brave, what color sucker would you like?”
Red.
Marcus mouthed the word to her.
“Red, please.”