Page 61 of Barron

“I would remember if I had.”

“Speaking of things not tracking. I have one more for you.” She stood and walked to his side. Leaning her elbows on the counter, she watched him work. “I was kind of focused on how Durbin, the captain, and the other officer handled the bag, until I realized it was getting late. I’d just entered the combination to open the door when Betty arrived. She bombarded me with questions. Was I okay? Did I get hurt? What was the deal with the bag?”

“So?”

“Yes, but her assigned parking is way on the opposite side of the lot. It would have been impossible for Betty to see what was going on with all the cars parked between us. Not only that, she arrived thirty minutes after I did. She wasn’t around when Durbin told me the delivery of the bag didn’t feel right to him and took it outside. Actually, she didn’t see the captain get involved either.”

He shook his head. “She shouldn’t have known a damned thing about it.”

“Exactly. I tried to push the niggling thought aside, but it’s been bothering me for hours. How did she find out?”

“I don’t have an answer for you, Nugget. But my instincts are raging. I’m glad I sent Shifter the photo. He’ll get to the bottom of this.”

“What should I do?”

“Nothing you or I can do now. But tomorrow, you’re going to bring the captain up-to-date with everything, including Betty’s outburst.”

“All right.”

He smiled. “Hungry? Dinner will be ready soon. Chopping takes the longest. Once that’s out of the way, the meat and veggies cook in minutes. Why don’t you change and get comfy? You have a cute set with little pink roses. I saw it yesterday. It’s real pretty. Why don’t you wear it for Daddy? While you change, check out what I left for you in the bathroom.”

Feeling wicked and terribly naughty, she grinned. “I’d love to wear my two piece for Daddy. But will Daddy let me play with him later?”

“Big or little girl?”

She bit the edge of her thumb. “Big girl.”

“Change. Now.”

Hell, yeah, this was exciting. Barron had growled at her. He was hot and ready to do all kinds of fun and naughty stuff with her.

With her mind full of ideas for after-dinner fun, she took out the matching shorts and top Barron wanted to see on her. With its spaghetti straps and lace trim, the pretty set was one of her favorites, and she quickly changed her clothes. She walked to the bathroom to check her appearance as best she could in his half mirror and combed her hair. Sitting on the counter were two rubber duckies she could use for her next bath and a small collection of barrettes still wrapped in the store packaging.

Daddy had thought of everything she could want, down to the cute pink clips to match her camisole and shorts. A warm sensation like no other spread through her, erasing the tiniest trace of doubt. Could she be any happier? Smiling, she brushed her hair, then clipped the front tresses away from her face with the barrettes. Yoanni didn’t show her age, but the hairdo gave her an even younger appearance.

Satisfied, she returned to the kitchen, ready to tempt her Daddy. She paused at the entrance and cleared her throat. Bending one knee, she tilted her hips in a seductive pose, then dropped her hands to her waist.

“Do you like what you see?”

Barron put the knife down, wiped his hands with a dish towel, and walked to her. His blue gaze probed and burned. She trembled under it with need. Images of doing wild things with himrushed to her mind. How did he do this? How did he inspire such intense desires in her?

Slowly, he pulled down one strap and dropped a soft kiss between her shoulder and the base of her neck. Every tiny hair on her body stood with pleasure.

“Breathtaking,” he murmured, and she arched forward, seeking close contact with his muscular chest and starved for his warmth. He pulled down the other strap, then kissed the opposite shoulder. She shivered. Miraculously, her romper remained in place.

“We begin now.” He lifted her chin. “Honesty is our first rule. It applies to you and me. Understand?”

She nodded.

“I love you in Little space, and I’ll never force or push you out of it. It’s important to know which space you’re in at all times. If I’m unsure, I’ll ask. You’ll answer with the truth. Good so far?”

“Yes, Daddy.”

“Tell me, Nugget. Are you in Little space or adult?”

Yoanni swallowed. He wanted to know. Should she tell him, open her heart?

She took a deep breath. “The woman in me wants you so much, she’s trembling with need. Love me, Daddy. Love me hard.”

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