Page 6 of Zale's Little Girl
“They’re all hot.”
“They really are. And they’re not self-absorbed at all. Jerico can’t tell me what the team does, but I know it’s dangerous. They really want to protect others,” Aspen said.
“Sounds like I was lucky Zale drove by the accident.”
“You’re going to have to tell me what happened to you. Well, you know—if you want to. I can understand if you don’t want to talk about it,” Aspen assured her.
“I might like a shower first,” Pippa suggested.
“Getting clean always makes everything better. We’re about the same size. How about I loan you some leggings and a top? I even have a package of cotton underwear I haven’t worn.”
“You are my new best friend,” Pippa said, finding herself wishing the phrase was true.
“Perfect. I need a friend. Daddy always tries to get me to be more outgoing,” Aspen said, and then clapped her hand over her mouth.
“Daddy?” Pippa repeated.
“Forget I said that.”
“They exist, don’t they? Daddy doms?”
Aspen paused for a second as she navigated a turn into an orderly neighborhood. She glanced at Pippa before asking, “You know what daddy doms are?”
“Only from books. I’d hoped they really existed,” Pippa confessed.
“I think that whole team of gorgeousness is a pack of daddies,” Aspen admitted.
“Zale definitely took care of me. He acted to save me without really asking questions.”
“Did you sense something was special about Zale when you met him?” Aspen asked, after turning into a driveway and triggering the garage door opener.
Pippa nodded.
“Yeah, me, too. I’m glad you’re here,” Aspen told her, reaching over to pat her leg. Rexy whined from the back seat. “Okay, boy. Let’s get inside.”
CHAPTER 3
“I’m just going to make some decisions for you. Feel free to tell me to buzz off. If I’d been in a car for a long time, I’d want food, a toothbrush, a shower, fresh clothes, and a nap. Is there anything you’d like to add in there, switch around, or take out?” Aspen asked, watching Pippa’s face.
“No, that all sounds wonderful. But I don’t want to impose on you,” Pippa said quickly.
“Impose, schmoze. I have to eat, too. Jerico always lets me sleep in when I don’t have to go to the base.”
“You’re a soldier?” Pippa asked.
“No way possible. I work in maintenance. I’m not good at making breakfast. What do you think about having lunch for breakfast?”
“To be honest, right now, I’d eat anything,” Pippa confessed.
Aspen walked into the kitchen and started pulling things out of the refrigerator. “In that case, let’s go big. How about a sandwich, chips, and dip?”
“Yes, please. That sounds amazing,” Pippa said gratefully with a smile. She noticed Rexy didn’t get under their feet, but stayed in his dog bed in the corner where he could keep them in sight. Didn’t he beg for treats?
When they carried huge sandwiches piled with sliced meat, cheese, and pickles to the table, she noticed Rexy moved to a different bed, again a short distance away. “How did you luck out to get the only dog on the planet who doesn’t beg for food?”
“Oh, Rexy’s first owner was a complete lowlife—a big brute that beat him. That’s how I ended up with Rexy. I’d hide this sweetie from him when the jerk was drunk. And other times, too.”
“I’m guessing that put you in danger,” Pippa said.
