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He had a hard time believing any name could be as bad as she was making out. She quieted, but he gave her time to collect her resolve. Just when he thought he’d have to prompt her again, she spoke.

“My name was Serephena Michelle. You see? Have you ever heard of a more hideous name in your life?” With typical Little drama, she covered her face with her hands. “It stands out like a neon sign. I had to change it, or he would have found me in days.”

The name wasn’t hideous, but he much preferred Tildi. It suited her. “So after you secured your new identity, you got the tattoo?”

Lowering her hands, she nodded. “It was something he would have hated.”

That was probably an understatement if her father had been even half as bad as she said. He let it go with a nod. “So, back to my original question. Why aHello, Kittywearing a dragon costume?”

No doubt she wanted to bolster her courage by having a dragon since they were fierce and powerful, though hers was adorable. But yet again, his babygirl surprised him.

“Dragons have good instincts, and they’re lucky. I knew I was going to need both of those things to stay hidden from the General.”

“I see,” he said.

He had started making plans to deal with Tildi’s father as soon as she had begun talking about him. But now he boosted it up the list to number three, right behind finishing off Nico Midnight and taking out the catering company that sent defenseless employees into such dangerous situations as working a party for a known leader of the Cosa Nostra.

“And what about theHello, Kitty?” he asked.

She looked at him like he’d just asked her if rain was wet. “It’sHello, Kitty, Daddy. Who doesn’t loveHello, Kitty?”

Who indeed. Glancing again at the tattoo adorning her shapely leg, he decided question and answer time was over. He propped up on his elbow and took in the shape of her calf and the curve of her gorgeous ass. Soon, looking wasn’t enough, so he ran his fingers along her arms before turning her back onto her back.

This time he slowed down enough to explore all her delicious dips and curves. He paused on more than one occasion, tracing especially enticing spots like the hollow of her neck and running his fingers along the curve of her breast. The tension in the room swelled almost as much as his cock.

She echoed his movements, tracing his cheekbones and jawline. Her fingers were soft and gentle as if she might break him. Had anyone ever thought him fragile? He should probably be insulted, but he wasn’t. Her care warmed his heart even more. She touched with a grace and sensuality he’d never known, yet her hand trembled.

“Here, babygirl,” he said, removing his towel and pulling up a blanket from the foot of the bed. “You’re still cold. Time for Daddy to warm you up.”

CHAPTER 10

Tildi blinked up at him. Her pussy clenched at the thought of what he might have in mind. She was all in for whatever he wanted. After what he’d just said to her about them both being warriors and survivors, he could ask her for anything.

She didn’t believe him, of course. But the fact he believed it gave her hope that one day she might.

“It’s my turn to, well... warm you up,” she said, her cheeks burning. How did people do this sexy pillow talk stuff? “I don’t think I could possibly, um, warm up again.”

A lazy, sexy smile lit his face. “Challenge accepted, little girl.”

Oh dear. She had never been able to come more than once, and she didn’t want to disappoint him.

“But that’s not fair. I want you to, you know, warm up, too.”

“Oh, I will. But first, I’m going to make you come so hard you forget your own name. Then we’ll take care of me. After that, we’re probably going to sleep for the rest of the day. Among other things.”

Oh, the wicked gleam in his eyes did twitchy things to her girlie bits.

“But, I can’t–”

He cut her off. “Seems like we need to review a few things, naughty girl. Who’s in charge?”

“You are, Daddy, but–”

Again, he didn’t let her finish. “That means every part of you is under my control.”

She got that, but he didn’t know her or her body. She tried again. “Yes, but–”

Once again, he broke in. Her hackles were starting to rise.