Grabbing the bedding off the bed, she knew there was only one place she’d feel safe enough to maybe sleep. Opening the closet door, she made a bed for herself on the floor. Then she dragged in Princess Nana and her snuggly.
With a yawn, she snuggled into her makeshift bed. Wishing she had her eReader, she lay there until her eyelids eventually grew heavy. Exhausted, she finally slipped into sleep.
Linc moved quietly through his cabin, Marisol’s clean clothes in his arms. He’d been up for a few hours working, clearing some time so he could come back and see Mari. He’d also spoke to Kent about her situation. Kent had assured him he’d put everyone on alert, and that whatever Linc needed, he was there for him. He wished he’d checked in on her this morning before he’d left. Actually, he wished he’d insisted that she sleep with him. In his bed.
But he figured that was pushing things too far too fast. He didn’t want to scare her off. Plus, he’d needed some time to process things. He wasn’t happy about everything that she’d kept from him. But he also had to realize that they hadn’t known each other long. If she’d done this after they’d been in a relationship for a few months, their chat would go very differently from the one he intended to have with her.
He wasn’t surprised that she was still sleeping, she’d been exhausted last night. But he was wondering if he should wake her. He’d had a chat with Doc about type one diabetes and Doc had suggested sticking to set times for eating. He wasn’t sure when she usually ate breakfast and it was now after eight. Although she did have a midnight snack, so maybe he shouldn’t worry so much.
Opening up her door, he peeked in. He frowned when he saw the stripped bed.
What the hell? Where was she? Why had she taken the top sheet and blankets off the bed?
He strode in, worry flooding him. Had she left? But no, there was no way she could have. She didn’t have any clothes or a way off the ranch.
Setting her clean clothes on the dresser, he crouched down to check under the bed. Not there. He turned to the closet door and opened it.
His heart nearly stopped as he found her. It was a walk-in closet, and she was so short that she didn’t even look scrunched up. She was lying on her front with one leg cocked up. His T-shirt, that she was wearing, had ridden up just enough to show him the curve of a plump buttock and a hint of her pussy lips.
Fuck. Shit.
Immediately, his cock hardened and he felt like a pervy asshole.
Crouching down, he flicked the blanket over her naked backside. He noticed that she had a princess doll tucked into her bent arm. And in her hand, she held the corner of a pastel-colored blanket. She was sucking on her thumb and rubbing the blanket under her nose.
Fuck. That was adorable.
And another sign that his gut was right.
That she was a Little.
Affection filled him as he watched her. He wondered how long she’d had the blankie. It looked a bit old and worn in places. Should she be sucking her thumb? Maybe a pacifier would be better. He wondered if she’d ever tried one.
Suddenly her eyes opened. She looked up at him.
Then she screamed.
Marisol scrambled backwards quickly hitting a wall as she tried to get away from the man looming over her.
There was a man in her room. A man in her room.
Tiger!
“Marisol.”
She whimpered. Why hadn’t she locked the door? Idiot!
“Marisol!” He reached for her and she slapped at his hands. Tiger coming for her. Tiger grabbing her, forcing her to her knees.
“No! No!” she screamed.
“Marisol, it’s me. It’s Linc.”
“No. Noo! Tiger, no!”
“Oh jeez, baby girl. Teeny, it’s me. Shh, you’re killing me here. It’s me. It’s Linc.”
“Stay away. Stay away.”