Series: Paige Michaels
Total pages in book: 48
Estimated words: 45693 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 228(@200wpm)___ 183(@250wpm)___ 152(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 45693 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 228(@200wpm)___ 183(@250wpm)___ 152(@300wpm)
Maya licked her dry lips. “So, you, uh…” She drew in a breath. “You know Nora is Little?” she whispered. The volume in the restaurant had resumed as everyone had stopped paying attention to her and resumed eating their meals.
They were in the middle of the lunch rush. La Havana was packed. In fact, Deke set a hand on the small of her back and guided her toward the corner, out of the way of foot traffic.
He’s still holding my hand…
“Yes. I’ve been to her shop, Craftastic, a few times, too. She stocks a lot of craft supplies. Occasionally, she’s had something I’ve needed for my job.”
“Oh, what do you do?” Maya cringed inside. She was not usually this conversational. She couldn’t believe she’d put herself out there and managed to contribute to normal, polite chitchat.
“I’m the manager of Stuff-It in the mall. Have you ever been there?”
Maya shook her head. “What is it?”
“It’s a stuffie store. Patrons pick out a furry new friend, stuff him or her, give him a heart, sew him up, and then find him an outfit.”
Maya smiled. “That sounds like fun. I’ve never heard of such a thing.”
“You should come in and get a new stuffie. I’d love to help you choose one.”
She swallowed. “Oh, uh, I don’t know… I’m usually here during working hours.”
“You surely don’t work from open to close every single day of the week, Little one.” He lifted a brow. He was still smiling, though. She was pretty sure there were dimples under his beard.
“What makes you think I’m Little?” she asked. No one had ever insinuated she was Little before. It was startling.
He shrugged. “It was a hunch. Am I wrong?”
Darn her cheeks for heating again. “Umm…” She leaned to the side to look around him. “I should get back to work. My brother was waiting on those cups. I need to go grab another stack.”
“Okay, but you should know something.”
“What’s that?” She tipped her head back to meet his gaze again.
“I’m going to eat here several times a week and flirt with you until you feel comfortable enough to agree to go out with me.”
Maya stopped breathing. She didn’t even blink. She simply stared at him. Was he serious?
“I can sense you’re shy, Little one. That’s okay. I’m a patient man. I bet you’ll feel better about saying yes to me after you get to know me.” He stroked her knuckles with his thumb.
His hand was so large it nearly swallowed hers, and she really liked the way he was holding it.
He lifted his other hand to her cheek and ran his thumb across her skin. Leaning in conspiratorially, he spoke again. “Do me a favor.”
“What?” she asked, her voice breathy.
“I know your mother was trying to hook you up with the man sitting in the booth over by the window. Give me a chance instead.”
She gasped. Eyes wide, she leaned back to meet his gaze again. His eyes were dancing with mirth. “How did you know?”
He chuckled. “My table is next to his booth. She wasn’t discreet about it. She kept going on and on about her daughter, Maya, and how wonderful you are. I suspect she cornered you in the back room and tried to hook you up.”
“Is there anything you don’t know?” she asked, heart racing.
He chuckled again. “Lots of things. But what’s more important is what I do know. I’ve known for weeks that I wanted to ask you out. I know now that I was right. You’re the perfect Little girl for me. I know you’re intrigued. I know you’re hesitant, too. That’s understandable. Like I said, I’ll flirt with you until you aren’t scared of me.”
“I’m not scared,” she blurted out. “I’m just… I don’t…” She huffed out a breath. She was botching this. Who cared? He might as well know now that she wasn’t outgoing enough to keep him entertained for half an hour. “You shouldn’t waste your time on me. I’m too shy to hold a conversation. Plus, I’m awkward. Did you not see me trip over my own feet and drop a stack of cups?”
He cupped her cheek and leaned in closer. “Precious Girl, what I see is the sweetest Little girl in the world. I don’t care if you’re shy. After you get to know me, you won’t be shy with me anymore. And I don’t want to hear you putting yourself down. After you agree to let me be your Daddy, it will be one of my first rules.” He gave her a stern look.
Stunned, she found it difficult to breathe. He was so close to her that she could smell his aftershave, the soap he used, and his personal scent. He was intoxicating, and she nearly swayed into him.
Had he really just insinuated he would be her Daddy? And that he would have rules?