Total pages in book: 153
Estimated words: 155903 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 780(@200wpm)___ 624(@250wpm)___ 520(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 155903 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 780(@200wpm)___ 624(@250wpm)___ 520(@300wpm)
Reuben got in the car and started it. They pulled out into a busy Manhattan street.
“I’m glad I don’t have to drive in the city. Back home, we only have one set of lights. And that’s because old man Ramsey complained so much about not having time to cross the road that the town council felt obliged to put them in. Unfortunately, he died about a week later and everyone is left with the lights.”
“Well, you don’t need to worry about driving in the city because if you want to go anywhere, Steven or I will take you.”
“While you were away, that worked. But don’t you need Steven to drive you?”
“Rule four.”
Rule four was safety.
“Public transportation isn’t unsafe,” she protested.
“I could find you a number of police incident reports that say otherwise.”
“Daddy.” She gave him a firm look.
“Little Blossom.” He gave her a firm look back.
She sighed. “I’m not going to win this one, am I?”
“I hate to tell you, baby. But you’re not going to ever win any of them.”
Well, not if she had her way.
She was determined that she was going to win some arguments with him. At least she’d gotten him to promise not to pay off her debts.
Take the win.
He pulled into an underground parking lot.
“Where are we?” she asked.
“We’re going to do some shopping for your playroom.”
She bit her lip. They were going to a toy store? Would people think it weird that they didn’t have kids with them?
You could be shopping for kids. No one knows the truth.
True.
Reuben opened her door, making her startle. She hadn’t even noticed him getting out of the car.
“Baby, you okay?”
“Yep.” She reached for her belt buckle and he brushed her hands away.
“Obviously, you’re not since you’ve forgotten that you’re not to touch your seatbelt.”
She poked her tongue out at him as he bent his head down.
“Put that tongue away.”
“Daddy! Do you have eyes in the back of your head?”
“Yes.” He undid her belt and helped her out. “I also know that you’re feeling nervous. But you don’t have to be. Glaze recommended this place. It’s for Littles.”
“Really?” She turned to look up at him.
“Yep. So you don’t have to worry. You can let Little Blossom run rampant. I’ve heard they even have a punishment room for private spankings. Although if you misbehave in public, you should really be punished in public.”
“You wouldn’t.” She gave him a look of horror.
He just raised his eyebrows. He totally would.
“You are so mean, Daddy!” She put her hands on her hips as she glared up at him.
“Poor Little Blossom. I know it must be hard to have such a strict, protective Daddy.”
“Uh-huh. It really is.”
“Just as well he’s also good with his tongue, huh?” he murmured. “Benefits.”
Oh yeah. There were definitely benefits.
39
Faith could feel herself staring. But she couldn’t help it.
This place was amazing.
They’d walked out of the elevator into a foyer with a large teddy bear holding a sign that said, Welcome.
He was wearing a top-hat and coat and he was utterly adorable.
The floors were polished white and black tile, and hanging from the ceiling was an enormous chandelier made up of . . .
“Gummy bears?” She tugged at Reuben’s hand and pointed up. “A gummy bear chandelier!”
“So it is. You don’t see that every day.”
“I love gummy bears. Can we get a chandelier like that for your apartment?”
He looked pained, and she knew she should feel bad about teasing him.
But considering how much of a dictator he’d been lately . . . yeah, she didn’t feel that bad.
“I, um, will think about it.”
Don’t laugh.
Do not.
But it was too late. Tears were swimming in her eyes and she couldn’t stop the giggle from escaping.
Turning, he glared down at her. “You brat. Are you teasing me?”
“Not me, Daddy. I would never.” More giggles.
Shoot. Betrayed by her giggling.
“Seems we might need to visit that punishment room sooner rather than later,” he murmured.
“Daddy!” she cried. He wouldn’t!
Then he winked at her and she relaxed.
“Good afternoon.”
She let out a small scream as a man stepped out from behind the teddy bear.
Holy heck balls.
Had he been there the whole time?
“Sorry to give you a fright, Little Miss,” he said kindly.
“My name is Reuben Jones. Glaze said she put my name in the register. I called a few hours ago to book in our visit.”
“Certainly, sir. And Little Miss.” The man winked down at her, and she smiled shyly up at him. “Welcome to A Little Bit of Fun. It’s a pleasure to meet you both. I’m Edward. Please come with me.” He opened the doors wide.
Honestly, it was like stepping into a whole new world. Above them, a toy eagle flew around, seemingly on its own. The floor was covered with yeti-sized footprints which pointed toward one side of the store. There were rows of toys ahead of them.