Page 6 of Princess Josie (Littleworld)

Chapter Six

Chase

The nice thing about having a few minutes to wander through Josie’s apartment while she bathes is that I get to know her better. She really is Little. Her kitchen drawers and cabinets are filled with sippy cups, silly straws, plastic plates and bowls and toddler silverware.

Her pantry is filled with foods that do not surprise me.

Cheerios, boxed mac and cheese, animal crackers, and several other things that are adorable but not very nutritious.

I wonder if she’s picky and if she’s going to balk at eating the foods I’ll cook for her.

I won’t make her eat things she doesn’t enjoy, but I will want to increase her repertoire and convince her to try new things.

As I wander through her living room, I notice the rows of animated movies, the animal-shaped pillows on her couch, the shelves of coloring books, and the toy box.

In her bedroom, I find most drawers filled with clothes appropriate for her Little.

Her closet is the same. A small section of adult attire claims only one small end of the space.

What does she do for a living? I haven’t ever asked. There is a computer desk in the corner of her bedroom though, so I bet she works from home. Especially since she doesn’t drive and hates crowds.

I return to the kitchen to grab her a juice box from the fridge. I bet she needs the fluids. In her bedroom, I glance in several drawers again, uncertain about what she wears to bed. I don’t see nightgowns or footed jammies anywhere.

Finally, I knock on the door. “Can I come in, princess?”

“Yes, Daddy.”

My heart lurches every time she calls me Daddy.

She is mine. So very mine. And I need to slow down my timeline and let her catch up. Let her figure out I’m her Daddy and believe it on her own.

Not that I won’t make it clear every moment I can along the way.

I ease the door open and step inside. She’s still in the water. I’m glad. I’d like to dry her off myself. I’d like her to learn to be comfortable naked in front of me.

Her shyness and lack of experience is fucking endearing, and I will not take it for granted, but eventually, I want to care for her in every way.

“Are you ready to get out, princess?”

She nods. “The water is getting chilly.”

Except for my jacket which I left in the car, I’m still wearing my prince costume. I roll up the sleeves of my button-down shirt and reach into the water to remove the stopper.

When I look to the right, I find her towel on a hook and snag it. I toss it over my shoulder before I reach to help her out of the tub. “May I pick you up, princess?”

I like to make sure she sees my hands every time I reach for her so I don’t startle her with my touch.

I know my sister is most often triggered not by the fact that someone touched her but by the fact that she didn’t see it coming.

She’s told me many times that if I show my hands first, it does wonders at preparing her for the incoming contact.

“Yes, Daddy.”

I grab her under her arms and gently lift her out of the tub.

She’s so fucking precious when she covers her small breasts, and I don’t comment. It’s too soon to insist she let me look at her. It’s huge that she’s letting me see her naked at all. I wouldn’t have predicted this when we arrived at her apartment.

I rub her body down quickly before wrapping the towel around her, trapping her hands against her chest.

She giggles as she tugs her arms free.

I hand her the juice box. “You need to drink some juice, Little one.”

She accepts it and sucks down half the fluid before handing it back.

“How about I leave for a minute so you can go potty and brush your teeth?”

“Okay.”

I hate leaving her. I want to stay. I want to set her on the toilet myself, wipe her myself, brush her teeth myself.

Patience, Chase. Patience .

While I wait outside the door, I take several deep breaths.

A few minutes later, she opens the door, wrapped in the towel. Her breath hitches when I lift her into my arms and cradle her against me to carry her to her bed.

“What do you wear to bed, princess? I didn’t see nightgowns or jammies in your drawers.”

Her face turns pink as she stares at me. Finally, she licks her lips. “I don’t like jammies. They’re itchy, and they always have zippers, and nightgowns get tangled around me.”

Finally, it dawns on me. “So you sleep naked?”

She nods, her face growing redder.

I should have thought of that. It’s certainly not something I’ve ever asked my sister, so it’s outside my knowledge base. I pull back the covers before depositing her on the mattress and remove the towel.

Josie tugs the covers up to her chin. Her sheets are a very soft jersey material, and I make a note to order some just like this for my bed at home.

I want them on my mattress before nightfall tomorrow.

I don’t know how long it will take for Josie to end up in my bed, but I’m going to be prepared no matter what.

I pick up the soft baby doll resting next to her and offer it into her arms. “Who is this? Will you introduce us?” It’s more like a pillow than a doll with only soft parts and brown yarn hair.

“This is Emma. She’s shy. It will take her a while to warm up to you.” Josie’s breath hitches. “I mean if you come over again.”

I sit on the edge of the bed and stroke my Little girl’s face. “Every day, princess. And I’m worried about you tonight. You had a stressful evening. Would you mind if I stayed and slept on your couch? I would be nervous leaving you.”

Her eyes go very wide. “Okay.”

“Do you need anything else, Baby girl? Do you use a pacifier or have a special blankie?”

She shakes her head. “No, I…”

“You what, princess?”

She rolls onto her side, curls up with her stuffie, and brings one hand up to her face, showing me her thumb. She sucks her thumb.

My heart stops when she tucks her thumb into her mouth and closes her eyes.

I stand slowly, still stroking her shoulder because I can’t bear to leave her. I could stay here all night watching her sleep.

She pulls her thumb out and looks up at me. “Thank you, Daddy. Even if you don’t mean it and you change your mind and leave, I’ll understand. This was the best night ever.”

My chest hurts. I hate that she doesn’t think I’ll be here in the morning.

Patience , I remind myself. She will find me here in the morning. She will find me here every time I’m not working. She will learn to believe me and trust me.

I lean over, kiss her temple, and nuzzle her ear. “I’ll be here when you wake up, princess, and if you’re scared in the night, call out for me, okay?”

“Yes, Daddy.”

It takes willpower to leave her room. I pull the door partly closed, but not all the way. I want to be able to peek in and see her. I want to hear her if she whimpers or cries out. I want to be in her bed, damnit.

Alone in her small living room/kitchen, I remove my buttoned shirt. I have a T-shirt on underneath. It’s a police shirt. I’m pretty sure she knows I’m a cop. Nearly all my shirts have police insignia on them.

I take my wallet, my phone, and my badge out of the pockets of my pants. After setting my wallet and badge on the end table, I send a quick text to Misha. I forgot to have Josie do that. It was mostly for her peace of mind. Not mine. Misha knows me well. She knows I wouldn’t harm a soul.

My gun is safely locked in the console of my truck where I left it before entering the Dungeon. I would never bring a firearm into the club, nor would I bring one into Josie’s apartment.

When she starts coming to my house, I’ll have to educate her about guns and make sure she knows where they’re always safely locked away and that she’s never to touch them. But that’s for another day.

I have to work in the morning. It can’t be helped. I don’t have a very good excuse to call in and get someone to take my shift. I might need time off in the near future to help Josie move into my house and adjust. But I’m getting ahead of myself.

Jesus, this is happening so fast. I had no idea when I headed to the club the night would end with me in Josie’s apartment.

I wonder if she has help. Parents or siblings who helped her move in.

She’s obviously self-sufficient, but I have a hard time picturing her actually moving or doing heavy lifting.

I drop onto her couch and tip my head back. My life is officially changed. Starting about two hours ago, I am no longer single. I have no idea how I managed to know Josie for as long as I have without ever crossing the line we crossed tonight, but I’m so fucking pleased now.

I push to standing, turn off all the lights, and recline on her couch. I’m not sure how well I’ll be able to sleep, but I close my eyes anyway.

It seems like seconds later a sound wakes me up. Knocking. Someone is at the door. I sit up quickly and snag my phone to see the time. It’s six am. Who would be at the door at this hour?

A voice comes through the door. “Josie? Honey, are you in there?”

I rush over to the door, peek through the peephole to see a middle-aged woman, and then open it. I have a suspicion I’m about to meet Josie’s mother.

She takes a step back, eyes wide. “Oh. Uh. Who are you?” She glances at my shirt. “Police?” Her eyes go wider. “Is Josie okay?”

I take a step back, opening the door farther.

“Mom?” The soft voice behind me tugs at my heartstrings. I feel so protective of her, and I suspect she’s about to feel uncomfortable. I hate that. I don’t mind meeting her mom, but the woman probably has the wrong idea about me.

I glance over my shoulder to find Josie emerging from the bedroom. She’s pulling a soft pink cotton robe around her. Her cute hair buns are falling out of the bands. I cringe inside, knowing her mother has to assume I slept with her.

The woman’s attention shifts to her daughter. She takes a step closer. “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine, Mom.” She stays in the doorway. “I’m so sorry. I forgot to call you last night.” She doesn’t meet my gaze. Is she embarrassed?