Page 14 of Arion
The shock caused him to sway a few inches and nearly knocked him on his ass.
When she tried to pull away, he wrapped his other hand around their combined wrists and pressed tighter. “No, Bella. Don’t fight it. Feel it. Feel the bond. Can you feel it?”
She was panting as she stared at the spot where he held them together.
“Let it flow through you, Bella. You can’t deny the draw. It burns, doesn’t it?”
He didn’t mind that she couldn’t answer. He knew she was feeling the same thing. He was connected to her. Their hearts were beating in sync. Their blood was pumping at the same speed, the pulses powerful and urgent with a new sensation—consuming need. The need to claim her completely.
He would not. He would hold himself in check. For her. For now.
“Daddy…” The word was soft. Musical.
When he finally released her, he grabbed her hips again to steady her, and himself. “Soon you won’t have secrets from me, Bella. No part of you will be unseen. I will know every inch of your body inside and out. I will worship every inch too. With my hands and my mouth. I will know you so well that I’ll be able to take you to the potty myself, sit you on the stool, and hold your thighs while you pee. Sometimes I will diaper you instead. You will not mind any of that because that’s how strong the bond between us will grow to be. Do you understand me, Bella?”
She nodded. “Yes, Daddy.” Her voice was breathy.
He rose to standing, tipped her head back, and kissed her forehead. “I’ll be right outside the door. When you’re done, I will help you wash your hands.”
“Okay, Daddy,” she murmured.
Arion stepped into the great room, leaving the door ajar. He kept his back to the opening. He would give her about one minute, and then her time would be up whether she was finished or not. That was the length of time he figured he could tolerate not touching her.
He smiled as he heard her peeing and gave her fifteen more seconds. The moment she flushed the toilet, he turned and stepped into the room.
She said nothing as he guided her to the sink, crowded her from behind, with his front against her back, and turned on the water. He pushed some liquid soap into his palm and washed both her hands with both of his, rubbing her small fingers up and down in a sensual massage.
He could stare at their combined hands all night. Her tiny little fists would fit inside his and be devoured. Her wrists were so slender and dainty.
She was breathing heavily and trembling when he finished. He turned off the water, reached for the towel, and dried both their hands. When he was done, he spun her around, lifted her off the floor, and settled her on his hip to carry her back through the living area to the kitchen.
“Are you hungry, Little mate?” he asked. He needed to distract them before he lost his willpower and tossed her on his bed instead. Food would work.
She shook her head. “No, Daddy. You filled me up with whatever was in that bottle.”
“That was quite a while ago, Bella. How about a snack?” The question was, could he part from her again? He stared at the primary-colored plastic highchair for a moment before heading toward it and dragging it closer to the table.
He couldn’t hold her like this forever. It wasn’t practical. He needed to set her down, feed her, put some inches between them before he mauled her.
“I haven’t used a high chair since I was a baby,” she informed him petulantly as he lowered her to the blue seat.
“Mmm. Well, you haven’t had an overbearing mate who wanted to dote on you and pamper you since then, have you?”
She shook her head, her blond tresses flying back and forth.
“Now you do.” He squatted in front of her so he could fasten the strap around her waist.
“I don’t think I need that, Daddy. I don’t usually fall out of chairs.” She giggled.
He chuckled. “But you do sometimes?” he teased.
She laughed again. “No. Never.”
“Well, the risk is now totally eliminated, isn’t it?” he questioned as the buckle snapped into place. “Lift your arms, Bella.”
She frowned in confusion as he held the tray up, indicating he needed to slide it into place without pinching her fingers.
She lifted her hands above her head and let him pop the tray on.
