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“I do miss some things from my old life. The travel, mostly. Being able to just jet off wherever I want, whenever I want. It’s hard to go from having that kind of freedom to having no freedom.”
“Ah, I see.” Mulling it over, I lift her leg from the water and run the washcloth over the long, lean length. “We could still travel, you know. Together, of course. No Daddy worth his saltwould let his Little girl go off on all those grand adventures without him.”
“Wait, really?” Excitement lights her eyes. “I just sorta assumed we’d be stuck on the island forever. Especially since, you know, I’m still kind of a fugitive from the law and all that.”
I can’t help but chuckle at the pink creeping into her cheeks. “Oh, you mean that ‘minor felony charge’ that sent you running to my home in the first place?”
“Yeah, that.”
“Already taken care of, princess. You’re free and clear to travel as you please without the United States government breathing down your neck.” Placing her clean leg in the water, I lift the other to give it the same treatment.
“What?” Mouth falling open slightly, she stares up at me. “When? How?”
“Less than a week after you arrived on the island. And how do you think?”
“But… you said… Auntie Cat said… You mean I could have gone home thisentire time?”
Still gripping her leg, I pull her closer, leaning in so our noses nearly touch. “I thought I made it very clear last night that you have been mine from the moment you stepped foot on my plane, Juliet. But if I wasn’t clear enough, I’d be happy to repeat that lesson again for you this morning.”
“No, Daddy,” she gasps out, her head thrashing side to side as her eyes go wide with a mix of fear and desire that nearly drives me to follow through on the threat despite her protests. “I just meant, you both said I couldn’t go home because of the legal stuff. I sorta assumed you were going to leave that hanging over my head, you know, just in case.”
“And risk our parents’ wrath when the press got a hold of your pending trial and the fact that you’d fled the country?”Chuckling, I finish scrubbing her thigh and return her leg to the water. “Not a chance.”
“Yeah, I don’t blame you,” she says with a delightful little giggle. “So we really don’t have to be stuck here forever?”
“No, princess. We can go wherever your heart desires.”
“Will you take me back to Paris?”
Emotion lodges in my throat at the simple, soft-spoken request. “It will be our first stop. We’ll have to get you some clothes that are more appropriate to wear in public, which I’m sure Solene will be happy to help us with. But you’ll still wear a diaper and you’ll still be my baby, even when we travel.”
Juliet settles back with a dramatic sigh, a pout playing on her lips. “I knew there was a catch.”
Forcing myself to stay stern, I look down at her, keeping my expression and voice firm. “No matter where we are, or what we do, you willalwaysbe my baby.”
Fresh pink color floods her cheeks. “Yes, Daddy.”
“Good girl. Up on your knees. Daddy needs to get that plug out and clean your bottom.”
Shifting up onto all fours, she presents her bottom. There are some dark spots still from her strapping last night, but all in all she doesn’t seem any worse for wear. And her relieved little sigh when I pull the plug from her bottom makes me grin.
As does her whining and wiggling when I push two soapy fingers inside her, thoroughly cleaning her bottom.
When she’s all fresh and clean, I pick her up from the bath and dry her off before carrying her to her nursery to pick out her clothes for the day. I opt for a onesie instead of her usual dress, since we aren’t planning to go anywhere today.
And to give her yet another reminder of her role as my baby.
Luckily for her bottom, she doesn’t argue as I put a fresh diaper on her and dress her. If anything, there’s a serenity about her that’s been missing during most of our time together and Idare to hope that maybe she has actually learned to enjoy her new life.
Back in my bedroom, she squeals with happiness at the sight that greets us in the attached sitting room. “Eggs Benedict? And scones? Oh man, my mother would have a fit over this breakfast. Too many carbs.”
“Well, yourDaddysays Little girls don’t have to worry about carbs.” Settling in one of the chairs, I hold her on my lap and cut a small slice of creamy eggs and hollandaise sauce for her. She makes little yummy noises as I feed her and myself, and when she bites into the lemon scone, it seems as though she might actually come from the pleasure.
“These are delicious. Compliments to the Chef.”
“I’ll let him know. Michael is excited to finally have a Little girl to cook for.”
Shifting on my lap, she straddles my thighs, her arms looped around my neck and her expression serious. “I need to tell you something.”