“Damn it, Wolfe.”
“You could slip and hurt yourself further. Like you did in the bathtub.”
She entered into a glaring contest with him.
“Damn it,” she muttered. “Sometimes I should get to win.”
Caleb reached down and tucked her hair behind her head. “Your arm is still hurting you. We don’t want to aggravate it. And it takes a lot of energy to use crutches. Energy you need to heal. Let us help, okay? Otherwise, Aleki will sulk.”
“I will go now,” Obian said. “An elder will be here soon to check on you, sweet flower. Good luck to you.”
“Thanks,” she said.
“You will need it with this lot.”
Soon after Obian left, an elder arrived. To her surprise, it was an older woman with a gentle smile who wanted to check that she felt safe and not pressured into anything. It made her feel better about everything. The other woman even helped her put on a pair of shorts and a T-shirt they found in the drawers.
After she left, Vivi tried to hop to the door, which was open a crack. As she opened it, Caleb stood on the other side.
He sighed. “You’re
such a brat. Why didn’t you wait for one of us to come get you?”
“I thought I might be able to hop out.” She leaned on the doorway, breathing heavily already. “Unfortunately, I’m not that great at hopping.”
“No trying to get around without one of us to help you,” he said sternly. Then his gaze dropped to her body and he gulped. “What are you wearing?”
“A tank top and shorts.”
“Where’s the rest of the material?” he demanded. He placed his hands on her hips to steady her. Damn, she really was out of shape.
“You sound like my father.” Except her father had never actually noticed what she was wearing. Unless it impacted him.
“Don’t want to be your father.” He drew her close to him, picking her up so she had to wrap her legs around his waist. “I want to be your Daddy.”
“I might need some help with that. I don’t know what to do.”
“You do whatever you feel is right. There’s no pressure.”
“Is there like a manual? A test to figure out if you’re a Little? A checklist? If there’s a checklist, Wolfe will have it.”
He chuckled. “He would. But there’s not. There are some books in the playroom if you want to read them.”
“Playroom?”
“Uh-huh. I’ll show you that tomorrow. Right now, we need to get you dressed in something decent and fed. Then it’s to bed for you.”
“Alone?”
He shook his head. “I’d prefer you didn’t sleep alone. Tonight, you’re with me. But I can sleep on the floor if you’d rather not share a bed with me.”
“No, uhh, I think I’d like that. To share a bed.” A shiver ran through her and she unconsciously pressed herself closer to him. God, what would it feel like for him to touch her?
“For sleeping purposes only, of course. Doctor’s orders.” He leaned in and nipped at the spot where her neck and shoulder met. “But when you’re feeling better, be ready. Because I’ve been waiting eight years to have you in my bed. And not just for morning cuddles.”
She buried her face in his chest.
“Hey, what’s taking so long? She okay?” Aleki asked.