Total pages in book: 58
Estimated words: 54343 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 272(@200wpm)___ 217(@250wpm)___ 181(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 54343 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 272(@200wpm)___ 217(@250wpm)___ 181(@300wpm)
“No, Dinorosa. I appreciate you cooking for me. Do I have time to change, or are you hungry now?”
“I can wait a few minutes. You’re kinda stinky. Want to take a shower? I could come help?”
Street stalked forward to pluck Rosa off her feet and toss his Little girl over his shoulder. “That’s the best suggestion I’ve heard today. I’ll flip off the heat under these pots, so nothing burns.” He smacked her bottom as he slowly walked through the hallway. Perhaps if they took a long shower, she would blame him for the overcooked spaghetti.
“Hey! I’ve been good,” she protested.
“Did you have any fun today?” he asked.
“I watched a ton of videos. There’s a lot to running piping. After a couple of hours, my head buzzed with information. Maybe I can’t do this like I thought.”
He could hear the nervousness in her voice. “Are the skills something you don’t think you can master or are you overwhelmed because plumbing is different than anything else you’ve tried?”
She was quiet for a few seconds. When he entered the bedroom, she answered, “I don’t know why I couldn’t do it with practice.”
Pride flared inside him at her bravery. His Little girl never gave up hope even after struggling to survive. “Fury thought you were good. Give yourself a chance.”
“Okay, Daddy.”
Reaching the master bath, Street slid her down his body. Her breath caught in her chest at the slow, sensual contact. “Mmm. Coming home to you has become my favorite part of the day.”
Her hands stroked his chest before tangling in the battered T-shirt he wore to the warehouses. “Off, Daddy!”
Street didn’t hesitate. He reached over his shoulder to yank the material upward. Her hands urged the fabric over his head. Rosa’s nose wrinkled.
“You worked hard today.”
“Sorry, Rosa. The heat builds up in the warehouses when the doors are open. Let’s get you undressed and we can jump in the shower. You can help Daddy smell better.”
She nodded eagerly and reached for the bottom of her shirt.
“Daddy’s job,” Street reminded her and lifted her top up to reveal her petite breasts. Tossing the garment away, he cupped the small mounds and teased her nipples with his thumbs. “Such a pretty baby. I love unwrapping you. Best present ever.”
Quickly, he knelt in front of Rosa and drew her leggings down. He traced the words on her new panties he’d ordered. She needed to be surrounded by love, kisses, hugs, and Xs and Os. “Good girl. Have you enjoyed wearing these today?”
“They’re so soft, Daddy. It’s like a butt hug.”
He laughed, enjoying her enchanting sense of humor. As she adjusted to understanding she was safe and no longer needed to struggle to survive, bits of her personality had emerged. When she shifted in front of him, Street knew she was feeling uncomfortable about being mostly naked with him still half-dressed. Quickly, he helped her step out of her clothes. Before tossing the garments toward the hamper, Street lifted her panties to his nose and inhaled her sweet scent.
“Daddy!” she breathed. Need flashed across her features.
“You smell so much better than I do, Little girl.” Street rose to his feet and shucked the last of his clothing. He drew her toward the large walk-in shower and turned on the water to warm.
“I’ve enacted a toll for using the shower, Rosa.” Immediately, he could have kicked himself as despair replaced her happy expression.
“I don’t have any money, Daddy. Could I clean the garage tomorrow to earn my keep?”
Street dropped to one knee before her. “That was a stupid thing for me to say, Rosa. I was trying to be funny, but charging for something like getting clean isn’t amusing when the opportunity to shower wasn’t always available. You don’t need to pay me anything—ever. Not even with the kisses, I was trying to steal.”
“I should earn my keep. Maybe some of the guys need their cabins cleaned.”
“You aren’t going to clean cabins, Little girl. You’re going to rest and let that hand heal. Then, if you want to work, we can check at the warehouse or Inferno. I’m sorry I haven’t had time to do that yet.” Street kicked himself for not accomplishing this.
“Then I could pay for electricity and food.”
“Then, we’ll open a bank account for you to keep your money in until you decide to splurge on something. I’m guessing you don’t have an account now?”
“No. I kept my money in the seat cushion of the couch.” She hesitated a moment before adding, “As soon as I have a job, I could pay you back then. If you don’t mind, you could keep track on a piece of paper to let me know what I owe you. I don’t want to get too far into debt.”
Street hung his head for a moment. He’d handled her concerns so poorly. No wonder she’d made dinner. Rosa was trying to earn her keep. “This is not the conversation I meant to have with you naked. Come here.”