Total pages in book: 51
Estimated words: 48550 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 243(@200wpm)___ 194(@250wpm)___ 162(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 48550 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 243(@200wpm)___ 194(@250wpm)___ 162(@300wpm)
“You’re going to go crazy when you see what happens to me working at the hospital,” she told him, trying to distract herself from being self-conscious as she stood in front of him naked.
“You will be careful,” he warned.
“I promise.”
Without another word, Rio scooped her into his arms and carried her through the house to the large master bathroom. After setting her feet gently on the soft rug in front of one basin at the vanity, Rio turned on the faucet to let water gush into the bathtub.
Amber reached for her toothbrush in the holder that held his as well. It seemed very intimate to have something so ordinary together. Only one thing remained in her suitcase. Amber wondered if she’d be brave enough to get him when it was time for bed.
She brushed her teeth as she watched Rio unbutton his dress shirt and remove his cufflinks before shrugging out of the garment and tossing it into the basket for dry-cleaning. Scanning his powerful body, Amber tried to tamp down her arousal. When he removed his slacks and boxer briefs, she forgot to move the toothbrush in her mouth. Catching herself, Amber quickly finished and rinsed her mouth.
Approaching the bath to see if the water was deep enough to sit down in and to stop herself from staring at him, Amber discovered she could see his reflection perfectly in a mirror positioned over the tub. Damn, he’s pretty.
“Thank you, Ella.”
Embarrassed that she had actually said that aloud, Amber stepped one foot quickly into the tub and then hopped out, dancing in discomfort with one red foot. Rio knelt at her feet within a fraction of a second to make sure she was okay.
“It’s fine. I should have noticed the steam rising from the water,” she told him.
“You need to learn to wait for Daddy’s permission, Little girl. Your bath was not ready,” he scolded her.
“Rio, I’m not used to asking for permission to get in the bathtub,” Amber said mockingly.
“Daddy,” he corrected her with a stern look before reaching up to adjust the water temperature.
“I suppose I get spanked,” she said flippantly.
“No bubbles,” he announced.
Inside, she regretted losing them even though the idea hadn’t popped into her mind. How did he know that would be a negative consequence? “Fine,” she answered as if that were nothing.
Rio didn’t answer but checked the bathwater. “It’s safe now. Do you want me to get in first to make sure?”
“You’re taking a bath with me?”
“I am.”
She looked at the immense tub and tried to figure out where she needed to sit if they were both going to be inside at the same time. “You go first.”
Rio stepped into the tub and sat down against the sloping back of the tub. He held his hand out to help her get in safely.
Tentatively, Amber dipped her toe into the water. This time it felt warm but okay to her. Rio reached up to steady her with a hand on each side of her hips. Realizing what a view he had of her body, she sank quickly into the water, regretting the loss of the bubbles even more.
“I was embarrassed,” she blurted.
“For saying I was pretty?” he teased.
“That was supposed to stay in my head.”
“Even Daddies need compliments sometimes. That is now officially my favorite one,” he announced. “I may need a T-shirt with that on it.”
Amber couldn’t help but laugh at the mental image in her mind. When Rio joined her merriment, she relaxed. How did he always know how to make her feel better?
Rio reached for a large misshapen sponge and dipped it into the water. Adding a squeeze of liquid soap from a beautiful container on the ledge bordering the wall, he rubbed it against his chest to get it foamy before taking her hand and washing her arm.
“Lean back and relax, sweetheart. You’ve had quite a day.”
With a sigh of delight, Amber followed his directions. She loved the way her Daddy took care of her.
Her Daddy. Amber repeated that in her mind. How could that feel so right in such a short period of time? Peeking through her lashes at Rio, she debated whether she should fight these feelings.
“It isn’t often in life that we get second chances,” Rio said softly as he washed her breasts and torso. She fought the allure of the sponge moving over her nipples and sensitive flesh to listen to his words and meaning.
“When I left and returned to take over my role in the family business, I knew I couldn’t be assured that this day would come.”
“You could have stayed,” she suggested.
“Look back at everything you have done since high school graduation. Would you dismiss everything? If I had stayed, would you have made the same choices?”
Silent, she sat thinking as he washed her other arm. She would have never left him to go to North Carolina for school. Amber had already debated that from the moment she opened the acceptance letter.