Total pages in book: 46
Estimated words: 47381 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 237(@200wpm)___ 190(@250wpm)___ 158(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 47381 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 237(@200wpm)___ 190(@250wpm)___ 158(@300wpm)
“But what if you’re doing something important? What if you’re on the phone to Mikey?”
“Pfft. He’s not important. What could be more important than you?”
He really knew just what to say, didn’t he?
“I’m not happy with him, anyway. He shouldn’t have given away your private information.”
“He gave it to you!”
“Which is the only reason I’m not on the phone, giving him an earful.”
“Who were you on the phone to?” she asked.
“My mom.”
His mom? That wasn’t what she was expecting him to say, and it was rather sweet.
“She called you?” she asked.
“No, I called her. I needed some advice on how to take good care of you.”
Her mouth opened and closed as she gaped at him.
Alarm filled his face. “What is it? What’s wrong? Are you having some sort of stroke?”
“I… you-you really asked her how to take care of me?”
“Well, yeah. I know it will be hard to believe, but I’ve never taken care of anyone as sick as you are.”
Oh. Well, she didn’t actually find that hard to believe.
He narrowed his gaze at her. “I have a feeling I’m not going to like what you’re thinking.”
“What did your mom say?” What exactly had he talked to her about? Had he told her about her?
“She said to keep you hydrated, make sure you rest, and not to stress if you didn’t have much of an appetite. She’s going to send a list of foods you might like to eat. She didn’t say to give you rules, then spank you if you broke them. Or to use a baby bottle to keep you hydrated. I came up with those all on my own.”
And he looked super proud of himself.
She bit her lip to hold back her smile.
“The more I think about it, the more I like the diaper idea. Then you won’t have to get up to go to the bathroom.”
“That is not happening! Even if I ever consented to using diapers, I won’t actually use them.”
“Ahh, but you are interested in wearing them. Noted.” He tapped his forehead.
She groaned. That wasn’t happening, either.
“I didn’t tick diaper play on my list of likes.”
He hummed. “I need that information. What is your safeword?”
“Um, I decided just to go for Red. Boring, I know.” Would he want her when he knew the truth about her? That she wasn’t very interesting. That she’d rather have a night in on the couch with takeout than go to a nightclub or party?
When had she become such a grandma?
To be honest, she thought she was kind of born this way. Not exactly the stereotypical rock star, right?
“Good. Use it if you need to. I know I can be… persuasive when I want something.”
“Persuasive? Is that the new word for pushy, autocratic, stubborn?”
“Brat.”
She grinned at him.
To her surprise, relief filled his face. “That’s better.”
“What is?” she whispered.
“You. Smiling. I don’t like that you’re ill, baby. That you have bronchitis after having a vomiting bug.”
She grimaced. “You and me both.”
“You won’t do this again, understand?” He stood up.
Sure. She’d get right on that. He really couldn’t hear how arrogant he sounded, could he?
“I’m going to order us both lunch. What do you feel like?”
“It’s only lunchtime? It feels like I’ve lived a whole life in these last few hours.”
“Yeah. You look tired,” he agreed.
Great. As well as feeling like shit, she also looked like shit.
Perfect.
What every girl wanted to hear.
“I’m not really hungry.”
He nodded. “I’ll see if they’d do you a smoothie or protein shake. I need to get a few supplies in here.” He was muttering to himself as he stepped out of the bedroom. Then he poked his head back in and pointed a finger at her. “Stay there. I mean it. You need me, you call out. Got me?”
“Yes, Sir!” She saluted him.
“Sir is fine.” He turned away. “Daddy would be better.”
She pretended she didn’t hear him mutter that. But it was going to play over and over in her mind.
Closing her eyes, she decided she’d just rest for a bit.
CHAPTER 10
Was it creepy to watch her sleep?
Perhaps.
That didn’t mean he was going to stop. It wasn’t like he had much else to do. He’d eaten his lunch and tucked her protein shake away in the fridge. Then he’d called the front desk to ask for information about Jolie’s likes and dislikes.
Which they hadn’t wanted to give him without her permission.
Pfft. He hadn’t liked that, but he’d bitten his tongue. He’d get her to give them her permission when she woke up.
Then he’d ordered her some Little stuff from the Ranch store. A young guy by the name of Liam had dropped it all off about twenty minutes ago. Brand washed the bottle and pacifier. A pacifier probably wasn’t a good idea right now, though, while she was still wheezy. But as soon as she was awake, he was going to get her drink a bottle of water and her protein drink.