Page 44 of Zale's Little Girl
First, he’d painted it a beautiful blue color like the sky. Pippa loved how cheerful it was. Then boxes arrived, and he’d allowed her to help by reading the directions as he put together pieces of furniture. Each item he constructed made her less nervous and more excited. They were physical representations of the little girl inside her.
Looking around the room, she stared at the large toy box shaped like a treasure chest, the adult-size crib, and the large table with a padded top and drawers underneath. Zale had locked one drawer and told her she was not allowed inside. Studying it as she and her daddy put together a puzzle, Pippa shrugged. She didn’t want to know what was in there, anyway. Probably boring stuff.
Refocusing on the jigsaw in front of her, Pippa propped her chin on her hand to search for a blue piece that might fit in the section nearest her. A cry of triumph burst from her lips when she spotted it. As she reached for that piece, a massive yawn forced her eyes closed and she lost it.
“Crap!” she said, before slumping down to the tabletop. Her exclamation rasped over her irritated throat, making her cough.
“Naptime, kitten.”
“I don’t need to nap,” she said, hacking a bit more. Everyone at the daycare had gotten sick this week. Something was going around.
“I’m worried about you. Let Daddy make sure you’re okay before you stretch out with Toothie in your new crib,” Zale instructed, standing and holding out a hand to tug her to her feet.
“No, Daddy. I’m fine,” Pippa protested as he led her to the changing table and slapped her hand over her mouth to muffle her cough.
He didn’t answer but wrapped his hands around her waist and lifted her to sit on the padded mat on top.
“Pippa. Lie back on the table.”
“I don’t want to.”
“I know. It’s important that I keep an eye on your health. I don’t like the sound of your cough.” He pressed a hand to her forehead and shook his head.
“I don’t want you to put something in my butt.”
“Better a thermometer than medicine, because you can’t swallow.”
Astonished, she stared at him. Her mouth opened several times and closed without a single word coming out. Finally, she pulled herself together enough to ask, “They make medicine that goes in your butt?”
“Lots of them. For things like nausea and many other symptoms. Your rectum absorbs important nutrients. You, kitten, will start getting a vitamin as soon as I get one formulated. Your immune system obviously needs a boost.”
“In my butt?” She could only focus on that part.
“You’re repeating yourself, kitten. Lie back.” Zale helped her move into position and pulled her leggings and panties down to mid-thigh. “Now, onto your side. Face the wall. Can you find the secret message Daddy left you?”
She immediately spotted a heart. Squinting, she could make out theI love youwritten on the shape.
As she did this, Zale took advantage of her distraction. He bent her legs at a ninety-degree angle before opening that forbidden drawer below her. The click of a lid opening made her peek over her shoulder. “None of that,” he corrected her and rolled her back into position. Zale swiftly wrapped a thick band across her torso and attached it to the far side of the table.
She tested the restraint and found herself firmly held in place. Pippa closed her eyes as he lifted her top buttock to expose her entrance. Wiped out completely by whatever bug she’d picked up, she didn’t have any energy to fight.
“Are you going to make me better?” she whined and coughed again.
“I’m going to do my best, kitten. Sorry, this lubricant is cold,” he warned when she jumped as he spread the cool substance over her small entrance. “It will get better fast.”
She shivered as the chill moved inside her on his finger. Zale spread it liberally around before removing his finger and inserting the thick thermometer. He pressed it deep inside her and cupped his hand over the end. The feel of his hand cupping her bottom made this so intimate.
“You are being so good, kitten. Thank you. I’m worried about you.”
She peeked over her shoulder to see him watching her with a concerned expression. She’d seen him stitch up a small, deep cut on Max’s finger when he stabbed a shard of glass into his skin. No one had known a couple of beer bottles had shattered inside the cooler. Zale had put the two necessary stitches in with impressive efficiency as the guys had kidded around. There hadn’t been a lick of worry on his face.
Her sickness was obviously completely different. That thought made her relax on the table. He was going to take care of her and help her body heal.
“That’s it, Pippa. Leave it all to Daddy.”
Pippa was almost asleep when he removed the thermometer. The silence that followed made her peek back at him again.
“You’re running a fever, little girl. I have some fever reliever here. There are certain medicines I suggest all Daddies have.”
