Total pages in book: 43
Estimated words: 40546 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 203(@200wpm)___ 162(@250wpm)___ 135(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 40546 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 203(@200wpm)___ 162(@250wpm)___ 135(@300wpm)
CHAPTER 10
When they got back in the car armed with burgers, fries, and drinks, Gabby looked at the fun kids’ pack he’d ordered for her. “I thought they’d look at us funny or tell us I was too old,” she admitted.
“Not at all. Does it have a toy?” Kole asked.
Opening it quickly, she drew out a swirly straw. “Look! This is so loopy. I wonder if it works?”
“Try it. The chocolate milk is yours.”
“I can’t believe you got us both milk,” she said, shaking the sealed container as if she were an old pro.
“Milk is good for your bones,” he answered.
“And your muscles?” she asked, playfully poking his bulging bicep.
“Definitely.”
Gabby placed the straw in the narrow neck and tried it. “Neat! Watch me, Daddy!” she said, holding it so he could watch the chocolate mixture zip through the straw.
“That’s fun, Little girl. Eat some food as well,” he urged, arranging his fries between them and unwrapping his burger.
“I’ve got my own fries in here, Daddy,” she reported proudly as she set her milk in the cupholder to free her hands.
“You’ll know where more are if you want to steal them.”
She smiled at him happily. Gabriela was used to watching her calories. Thank goodness she was naturally slim so she didn’t have to deprive herself completely of any treats. She had dated men in the past who always pushed salads or fruit on her when she really wanted a steak. Those guys didn’t last long.
I guess I’ll keep Daddy.
Wiggling happily in her seat, Gabriela popped a fry in her mouth and chewed happily. “This is so good. I haven’t eaten French fries in forever.”
“Everyone needs a cheat meal once in a while,” Kole declared, eating three at the same time.
“I think so, too. I wonder how much we’re alike. What’s your favorite color?”
“Gray.”
“No way! That’s so boring! Mine is fuchsia.”
“I bet you look especially pretty in that shade. Favorite type of books?” he probed.
“Naughty ones,” she admitted.
“Perhaps I should read one to you.”
Her face heated, and she knew she was totally red at the thought of hearing the story aloud—and in his voice. Oh, cornnuts! He would know what kind of books she read.
“You don’t like to be read to?” he asked, glancing over at her.
“It’s not that. It’s just…”
“I’ll know you read Daddy books?” Kole suggested. “I already know that. I bet we’ve read some of the same ones. Have you read the one about the Little girl whose car breaks down and she has to walk miles in bad shoes to make an interview?”
“I love that one. He takes such good care of her,” Gabriela said without thinking.
“I plan to care for you with the same dedication,” he promised.
“Um. I’m not as Little as she was.”
“Not now, but I bet you’ll need your Daddy’s complete care from time to time.”
Changing the conversation immediately before her mind could come up with all the ways he could care for her like the doctor did to Zoey in the book, Gabriela asked, “What’s your favorite vegetable?”
“I have a lot. It’s easier to tell you I don’t like lima beans or spinach. In a smoothie, they’re okay.”
“You put spinach and lima beans in smoothies? Remind me never to try one of yours.”
“I’ll make sure you love your bottles,” he assured her.
“You mean like a thermal cup?”
“No, sweetheart. I mean bottle.”
An image popped into her head of Kole, cuddling her on his lap as he fed her. Her breath caught in her chest. He really wants to be my Daddy.
“Breathe, Little girl. I won’t rush you if you don’t want to be super Little at first.”
“It’s not that,” she said, fiddling with her straw. “I just haven’t ever done that. It’s kind of scary to let myself be that young.”
“But you’ve fantasized about it?” he asked softly, taking her hand in his. She noticed he made sure to keep his focus on the road, while glancing over at her. Gabriela could tell he was assessing her reactions.
“Yes,” she whispered. “Are you going to make fun of me?”
“No.”
Kole guided the car off the highway and onto the shoulder of the deserted side road so he could turn fully to look at her. “I will never make fun of you, Little girl. Remember, I’m the one who started the conversation. I want to take care of you as my precious Little.”
“Can you slide your seat back?”
Without asking a question, Kole glided his seat away from the steering wheel as far as possible. When he was in position, she carefully climbed over the console, making sure she didn’t knock over the drinks or his remaining fries. Settling on his lap, she cuddled against him. The feel of his arms around her and the heat of his body reassured her this wasn’t a dream.
“Are you okay, Gabby?”
“I’m okay. I just needed to be close for a few minutes. Talking about Little stuff is scary.”