Total pages in book: 58
Estimated words: 54208 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 271(@200wpm)___ 217(@250wpm)___ 181(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 54208 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 271(@200wpm)___ 217(@250wpm)___ 181(@300wpm)
“Yes.” Celeste pointed at the computer. “He wants to interview me. Live. In two days.”
Sadie’s face lit up. “That’s great.” Then her expression fell. “Is it? You don’t look too happy.”
Celeste stood taller, took a deep breath, and pasted on a smile. “It’s great. It’s exactly what I need to do.”
Sadie rubbed her back. “It’s scary, though.”
Celeste nodded.
Sadie grinned. “I think we need to do something fun tonight to take your mind off all of this. Dinner will be here in about thirty minutes.”
“I got all the supplies for rock painting if everyone is interested,” Kestrel suggested.
“That’s a great idea,” Sadie exclaimed.
Hawking watched his Little girl carefully. If she didn’t want to paint rocks tonight, he would shut this idea down. Hell, even though she’d taken a long nap today, she’d also worked out hard. She might like to go to bed early.
Celeste nodded, though. “I think it would be fun.” She turned toward Hawking. “Can we do that, Daddy?”
His heart about thudded out of his chest when she deferred to him. “Of course, CB.”
She glanced down at herself. She was still sweaty and probably chilled now that her body was cooling down. “Do I have time to shower before dinner?”
Hawking stepped closer, pulled her into his arms, and set his lips on her ear to whisper, “Only if I don’t get in with you.”
His Little girl gasped and swatted at his chest. “Daddy,” she whispered. Her cheeks were adorably red, and not just from working out.
He chuckled. “Let’s go get you cleaned up.” He took her hand and led her toward the elevator. “We’ll be back in thirty for dinner and rock painting.”
Chapter Twenty-One
Celeste was distracted as she went through the motions of showering and getting dressed. Truthfully, she barely paid attention. She let her Daddy lead her to their apartment, guide her into the bathroom, and strip her naked.
It wasn’t until she stepped under the spray that she came more fully to her senses, but that was short-lived because her Daddy didn’t leave her alone to wash. He stripped off his shirt, reached into the shower, and washed her himself.
“Rinse off, Cuddle Bug,” he instructed when he was done.
She shuffled under the spray again and let the water run down her body. It felt good on her overused muscles.
When Daddy turned the water off and guided her out of the shower to dry her off with a big fluffy towel, she leaned into him and wrapped her arms around his neck. “Thank you, Daddy. You’re the best Daddy in the world.”
He lifted her into his arms and carried her into the bedroom, where he sat her on the edge of the bed and tipped her head back. “You’re the best Little girl in the world, Cuddle Bug. I’m sorry for the reasons that brought you to me, but I’m so damn glad I found you. I wondered if I would ever find my Little girl.”
When he brought his lips to hers, she wrapped her arms around his neck again, wanting to lose herself in the kiss and forget all the stressful things in her life.
All too soon, he broke free and groaned. “I’d much rather spread you out on this bed and eat you for dinner, but you need nourishment, Little girl. Let’s get you dressed and go join the team.”
She pushed out her lower lip. “Can we maybe only paint one rock and then come back up here? You could tell everyone I’m exhausted and that you need to put me to bed early.”
He chuckled. “It’s a deal. Dinner. We’ll paint one rock each, and then we’ll bail. How’s that sound?”
She grinned. “Like a plan.”
“Stay right here. I’ll grab you something to wear.”
She watched his amazing ass as he strode toward the dresser first. He moved to the closet next. When he returned, he held up a purple T-shirt she’d never seen.
She started giggling. “Where did you get that, Daddy?”
“Online. Do you know how many science T-shirts there are?”
She nodded. “I thought I’d seen all of them, but that one is new to me.” It had two beakers on the front. One had bubbles coming out of the top. The other had a speech bubble that read, “I think you’re overreacting.” It was silly and adorable.
“Arms up, CB.”
She lifted her arms and let her Daddy pull the shirt over her head. He hadn’t given her a bra. She thought about saying something but decided against it. No one would notice in the loose T-shirt, and she didn’t feel like putting one on just to go to dinner.
He lifted her to set her on her feet and helped her into panties and a pair of black leggings. Finally, he slid a pair of flip-flops onto her feet.
After a quick trip to the bathroom, where he combed her hair and put it in two low pigtails, he leaned over and kissed her neck. “Ready?”