Page 20 of Luca

“Absolutely. No true Daddy would ever mind you taking safety measures. In fact, I’m happy you have people to look out for you.”

“That’s what my cousin said.”

“She was right. Did it help you feel more comfortable about seeing me today?”

“Uh-huh.”

“It honestly makes me feel better, too. Now, I have your address that you gave me last night, and I got everything for the cookie recipe you sent me, except I forgot the eggs, so I’ll have to stop and pick some up unless you have enough at your house?”

“Oh! I only have two. I’m sorry.”

“No need to be. I’ll see you at two. And Frankie? I can’t wait.”

“Me, too,” she told him.

That left her with a whole hour to be nervous. It was too humid out to go for a walk—she didn’t want to be sweaty withfrizzy hair meeting Daddy Luca for the first time, so she got her ladybug from the bedroom and sat on the sofa with her and turned on cartoons. She knew she was getting Littler by the moment, but she couldn’t help it.

Finally, at two o’clock on the dot, her doorbell rang, making her pulse race.

She ran to the mirror in the foyer to check her hair, took a deep breath, and opened the door.

He stood there with a grocery bag in his hand, smiling down at her, and oh, boy, was he handsome! Over six feet tall, with short, dark hair and brown eyes that had sexy crinkles at the corners and a lot of muscles.

Her legs went weak, and her brain emptied.

“Hi, Frankie,” he said, and the familiarity of his voice helped her relax. A teeny bit, anyway.

“Hi,” she said shyly. “Uh…do you wanna come in?”

“Yeah. Thanks.” He stepped into her house and shut the door behind him, pausing just inside to look at her. “Wow,” he said.

“Um, is that good?”

“It’ssogood. And so good to see you in person. And Frankie? You are…” He paused and shook his head for a second. “You are about the prettiest Little I’ve ever seen. Not that it was important—I like you foryou. But I have to say, you’re just knocking my socks off.”

She felt her cheeks burning and figured she was going sixteen shades of pink. She dropped her gaze to the floor. “Even if I’m a li’l bit, um…plump?”

“Are you kidding? You’re absolutely perfect. If anyone has ever told you any different, then they’re an idiot.”

She looked up, beaming at him, her heart melting. She couldn’t believe such an attractive man thought she was pretty. And it made her feel Littler and Littler by the second. Littler and warmer andneedinghim. Her Big girl parts were waking up, buteven more was the rushing feeling in her heart, like all the blood was gathering there, making it swell practically out of her chest, and tears stung her eyes.

“Daddy…” she said, not even sure how to finish the sentence.

“What do you need, honey?”

She shook her head, her breath caught in her throat. Finally she managed to say, “Justyou.”

He set the bag on the floor and opened his arms, and she rushed into them. He wrapped them around her and held her so tight she could barely breathe, but it didn’t matter. Her Daddy was holding her, and his arms were so strong and he smelled so good, like a t-shirt fresh out of the dryer.

She buried her face in his chest, and he lifted her off the floor, leaving her feet dangling, and she giggled while he laughed and buried his face in her hair.

“Mmm, honey, you smell like strawberries, exactly as I imagined. But I’d better put you down or we won’t get any baking done today.”

He gently set her on her feet, then stood there looking at her. “Yep. Prettiest Little girl in the world.”

“Daddy! You’re making me blush!”

“Better get used to it, because I’m going to need to tell you every single day. Now, want to show me where your kitchen is so we can bake?”

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