Series: Paige Michaels
Total pages in book: 48
Estimated words: 45455 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 227(@200wpm)___ 182(@250wpm)___ 152(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 45455 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 227(@200wpm)___ 182(@250wpm)___ 152(@300wpm)
Soon, Kiki sat and flipped through the pages, trying to come up with something to decorate. Finally, she settled on a picture of a bunch of snoozing puppies in a large pile. Picking up the brown pencil, she added some color.
“I bratted someone away. I always do that. Act out and Daddies run the other way,” she confessed.
“Not all Daddies run away,” a deep voice reassured her.
Kiki gasped as she twisted around to see Tori and Terry approaching.
Tori flounced toward the table. “Hi, girls!”
Kiki had only met the Little once before, during the busy holiday party. At the time she had focused more on her brother, the handsome man who’d checked on her. The same man standing next to her now.
“Hi!” Kiki responded, waving a hand in greeting. Unfortunately, she forgot she was holding the pencil, and it went flying. “Oops!”
Tori covered her mouth on a giggle and then nodded toward her brother. “Do you remember my brother, Terry?”
“Yes. I’m Kiki,” she rushed to answer before scurrying over to rescue the tossed item.
The bustle of several more Littles arriving covered her embarrassment, and Kiki settled back in her place to color as they all called a greeting to the group. She liked that they included her in their pleasure to see each other. Kiki tried to ignore the man who leaned his muscular forearms against the top of the half wall, feeling like she’d made such a fool of herself the last time she’d seen him that he couldn’t be interested in her.
When everyone had quieted down and the important process of crafting colorful masterpieces for their Daddies had taken over, Kiki watched through her lashes as Terry moved away. She didn’t understand why her heart lurched as he shifted from his position. Ducking her head even more, she tried to conceal the tears that threatened to gather in her eyes.
“Kiki, would you come talk to me?” that deep voice asked from behind her.
She turned around, surprised to see Terry standing behind her. “Really?” squeaked from her throat before she could stop it.
“Truly. Let’s try this again,” he suggested.
Kiki nodded and lurched to her feet. She blinked away those tears and smiled at him. He’s going to give me another chance. Ignoring the sudden quiet that filled the room as the other Littles watched them, Kiki put her hand in his as he led her from the room. The minute they cleared the short barrier, whispers filled the silence.
“Are they a thing?”
“Did you know, Tori?”
“How long have they been together?”
Shifting a bit closer to him as if he could shield her from their attention, Kiki knew she’d have to do some explaining when she returned. Kiki crossed her fingers for good news to share.
Terry bypassed the bar area and went into a small alcove generally reserved for aftercare. He sat down on a comfortable bench and patted the leather next to him. “Come sit down next to me, Kiki. I’d like to get to know you better.”
“Wow! You didn’t get enough of me before?” popped out of her mouth before she could stop it. Kiki mentally kicked herself. Just move on!
“You’re trying to push me away again. What are you afraid I’m going to discover, Little Bumblebee?” Terry asked.
Sinking to the padded bench, Kiki looked down at her fingers twisting in her lap. “I like you.”
“I like you, too. I think I could like you a lot if we could spend some time together.”
“Most guys get tired of me. I’m kind of a handful,” Kiki admitted.
“I can’t see that happening. Tell me something about yourself, and I’ll share details about myself, too. It doesn’t matter what. I want to know all about you,” Terry requested.
“I like coloring,” she admitted.
“I’m not very good at it myself. Fat crayons aren’t made to stay within the lines,” Terry stressed, looking very serious.
“That’s why I use colored pencils. It’s much easier.”
“Maybe that’s something you could teach me,” he suggested.
Kiki relaxed a bit against the soft back rest. “I could probably do that. I hate mean people.”
“I’m glad. No one should have negative people in their lives.”
“Daddies are strict,” Kiki pointed out.
“There’s a big difference between mean and strict. Why do you think Daddies are strict?”
“So they can always have their way?” Kiki blurted and instantly stiffened. She’d messed up again.
“Look at me, Little girl. There are bad Daddies out there in the world. I hope you haven’t encountered any. Real Daddies care for their Littles. They establish rules so they stay safe,” he explained patiently.
“Is that how you operate?” she asked.
“It is. Now tell me something else about you.”
“I like the color brown.”
“I like chocolate. How about you?” Terry asked.
“Anything chocolate is amazing. Hearing the others in the daycare talk about the cupcakes at Little Cakes always makes me hungry.”
“They always have a special featured cupcake. Would you like to meet me there tomorrow to find out what the star concoction is now?”