Series: Paige Michaels
Total pages in book: 48
Estimated words: 44664 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 223(@200wpm)___ 179(@250wpm)___ 149(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 44664 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 223(@200wpm)___ 179(@250wpm)___ 149(@300wpm)
He kissed her temple as he carried her into the nursery this time. “No one died, Little Bee.” He sat on the rocking chair, cradled her in his arms, and lifted the bottle to her lips.
It seemed like he needed comforting, and the way he was comforted was by taking care of her, so she leaned back and let him feed her. She even wrapped her fingers around his hand on the bottle and held his gaze, hoping to communicate that she was here for him.
He held her gaze too. That was an improvement over not looking at her directly in the kitchen, but his brow was still deeply furrowed with concern.
It was hard for her to swallow. Her tummy was in knots with worry. But she managed, partly because she was hungry and partly because the smoothie was undeniably delicious.
Gemma knew instinctively her Daddy needed this time. He needed to hold her and rock her and process whatever was going on in his mind.
She could do this for him, even if she was scared and nervous and nearly panicking inside. When the last of the smoothie flowed through the bottle’s nipple, she wrapped her hand around his and moved it away.
“Little Bee, you make me so happy.”
“Can you tell me what makes you unhappy?”
With a nod, he lifted her to sit upright on his lap. “I have a big decision to make. My boss just called. They’re transferring me to the West Coast to troubleshoot a branch of the company that is suffering huge losses.”
“For a couple of weeks?” she asked, trying to make it better news.
He shook his head slowly. “I’m afraid not.”
Gemma wrapped her arms around herself, trying to feel warm. His news seemed to suck all the heat from the room, leaving her trembling. She dropped her gaze to the front of his shirt. Maintaining eye contact was too painful and she couldn’t hide the emotions she knew were written all over her face.
This could have been perfect. She had allowed herself to be so vulnerable to him—so Little. Now, he was leaving. Her heart felt like it was being ripped to shreds. Tears filled her eyes, and furiously, she blinked them away. If she cried now, she’d just make this worse.
Suddenly, she needed to be alone. “It sounds like you need to think and make some plans. I’ll go home and get out of your hair.”
“Gemma, no. I don’t want you to leave.”
“I know. I don’t want to leave either, but… I need to think, too.”
“Stay here, Little Bee and we’ll figure this out together.” Anton tightened his arms around her.
She shook her head sadly as she scooted to hop off his lap. When he tightened his arms around her, she pressed an arm straight between their bodies to keep a space between them. “You can’t do this, Daddy. I mean Anton. You’ll tear my heart to shreds. Send me a message when you find out when you’re leaving. Maybe we can have dinner out. You know, in a restaurant before you leave.”
“Little Bee, don’t run away.”
“It’s better this way. You have to make the decisions that are right for your life. There are a lot of people who love living on the West Coast.” She tried to sound cheerful.
Quickly, she returned to the bedroom. Gemma could hear him talking but the words went over her head. Gathering her clothes, she retreated to the bathroom and ducked into the toilet room where she could be alone. Gemma dressed quickly. Her panties were still wet. Her brain rebelled and she stuffed them into her pocket. She couldn’t put those on. There was no way she could concentrate. Finding her purse and car keys, she walked to the front door.
“Thanks for dinner and everything.”
“I’d like us to think through this together, Little Bee. We’re a couple now.”
She turned away and opened the door. His hand reached over her head to slam the door shut. “I am going to spank your bottom so hard. You aren’t listening to me, Little Bee.”
Gemma turned around to look at him. This time she met his gaze, knowing she had to look awful. She wasn’t one of those women who cried pretty. Even though she hadn’t allowed a tear to fall, her face had to be blotchy and her eyes completely red.
“Don’t you understand? There is no Little Bee anymore. Let me go, Anton. Don’t make this harder on me.”
He opened his mouth to argue as his gaze searched her face. She could see the anguish and worry in his expression. That didn’t make her feel better. It just seemed to make everything worse because now she had no way to make him feel better.
Anton lifted his hand from the door and she pulled it open quickly. After running out to her car, she threw herself inside and started it as she hit the button to lock the doors. Gemma forced herself to fasten her seatbelt. She couldn’t be pulled over by a police officer. She needed to be home.