Total pages in book: 173
Estimated words: 174632 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 873(@200wpm)___ 699(@250wpm)___ 582(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 174632 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 873(@200wpm)___ 699(@250wpm)___ 582(@300wpm)
Just this small taste of being in Little headspace was enough to make her want more. To crave them.
Jack was so sweet and understanding. And she wanted that so badly. But she also wanted Ian’s bossiness, his overprotectiveness.
And Jameson’s charm. His calming nature.
Crap.
This last hour had been more fun than she could remember having in years. Imagine having that often. With Jack, life would never be predictable and boring. With Ian, she wouldn’t have to worry so much. With Jameson . . . well, that was a bit more of a mystery since she didn’t know him so well. Although she got the feeling that he could help her turn off her brain. Also, she might self-combust looking at his gorgeous face all the time.
“Just trust me.”
It wasn’t a matter of trust. It was reality. And unfortunately, her reality was non-negotiable.
“This really was the best afternoon I’ve had in forever.”
She could see in his eyes what she was saying. That there wouldn’t be others. That there couldn’t be.
But there was something else in his eyes. Determination. A stubbornness she hadn’t seen before.
And it made her feel nervous.
As well as a bit excited.
Then her bladder let her know it was past time she peed. And she remembered where they were.
“Jack, I can’t pee with you here and I really have to go.”
“All right. I’m going.” He turned away and moved to the door. “This time.”
“I liked you better when you would give me whatever I wanted,” she grumbled.
“No, you didn’t.”
Rude.
She didn’t bother locking the door. She was pretty sure that she wouldn’t have time to get to the door and back to the loo.
Sitting down, she sighed with relief as she ran his words over in her mind.
He’d never wanted a Little until her.
And it made her Little dance with happiness. She wanted to fully come out. To play. To ignore all of her Big worries for a while. And to let Jack protect and care for her.
And Ian.
Imagine the two of them together.
She cleaned up and took a moment to compose herself. Her Little had been on the surface for the last hour and she’d had an amazing time.
But she had to lock her back away. Protect herself.
“Baby? You all right in there?” he called out through the door.
“Yes. Coming!” She tested her hip and found she could walk without limping. Bonus.
Her T-shirt was still slightly wet from where he’d poured the water over her.
Jerk.
She couldn’t quite imagine Ian doing that. But then again . . . Jack was unique.
Jack walked them back through the toy store and she tried not to sigh longingly. She’d never allowed herself to buy any toys. She had Ziggy and that had to be enough.
But that made walking through this store a form of torture.
“Do you want to explore? Have a look at the toys?” he asked.
“No, thank you. Although I could look for something for Indie’s baby.” Hmm. Could she justify spending the money? It would be cool to bring her something back from here for bubs.
“Indie’s baby?”
“My best friend, remember? I was making a list of names for him or her.”
Jack nodded. “Jack’s at the top.”
“Well, I wouldn’t say the top,” she told him.
He put a hand to his chest and staggered as though he’d been shot. Maggie couldn’t help but giggle.
“Wounded. I’m wounded.”
“Stop! You’re so silly.” She grinned and grabbed his hand. “Come on.”
“I thought you wanted to look?”
“No. I think I better get back to Uncle Willy.”
He eyed her as though he could sense the lie. But she did need to get back. She also didn’t think she could look at these toys with her Little so close to the surface. Not without her Little side taking over and wanting to throw herself in the pile of stuffies she’d spied in one aisle.
A bed full of stuffies. Now, a girl could only dream.
But all of her money had to go to Indie. She needed it more.
For a moment, panic overwhelmed her as she thought of everything they had to do to prepare for when Indie had the baby. Of how much money they needed.
Of course she could ask Uncle Willy for money, but he had already done enough. He paid for expenses and gave her a great salary. She’d never be able to do this working minimum wage waitressing. If she could even be on her feet all day, which she doubted.
“All right,” Jack gave in.
They stepped outside.
“But we’re going for ice cream.”
“Jack!” she protested. “We don’t need ice cream.”
“Who are you?” Jack gave her a shocked look. “Don’t need ice cream? Everyone needs ice cream. It should be a necessity on the food pyramid.”
He took hold of her hand, swinging her arm back and forth. She giggled. He didn’t seem to care who saw them and the people walking around just smiled.