Page 12 of Rekindling Little River (Littles of Rawhide Ranch #14)

River

“How is it that today could have been so long and yet passed by so fast?” River’s question was more rhetorical as Dave led them to their room.

As much as they’d been enjoying the comfort and the feeling of being protected as they snuggled on the sofa by the giant fireplace, Dave had insisted it was time to head back to their rooms after River’s eyes had begun to drift closed and a huge yawn had escaped them.

River didn’t really blame Dave—much longer in that spot and they’d have been out like a light—but they weren’t quite ready to admit their first full day here was already at an end. One day and so much had already changed for them. What did they have to look forward to for the rest of their stay?

They’d heard whispers since arriving about the “magic of Rawhide Ranch,” but River hadn’t really believed it meant anything besides the beauty, serenity, and acceptance that abounded here.

Surely those whispers hadn’t been referring to actual magic.

Despite their roots, River didn’t believe in magic and woo-woo stuff.

Now though, as they glanced down at their hand, clasped with Dave’s and swinging casually between them, they were wondering if there was something more to the magic this place possessed.

“Time flies when you’re having fun, but that doesn’t make you immune to the effects and physical strain of that fun.

” Dave held out his free hand to River as they approached the door to their room and it took River a moment to realize what he was wanting.

Reaching into their pocket, they pulled out their key and handed it to him, allowing him to unlock and open the door.

Placing his hand on the small of their back, Dave led River into their room and gently closed the door before asking, “Where would I find pajamas for you?”

“Um…” He led them to a chair and guided them into the seat. “Second drawer down.”

“Thank you, sweetness.”

Sweetness? Where had that come from?

“Stay here, I’ll be right back.”

River didn’t want to move anyway. Now that they were seated again, their body was having a hard time staying awake.

Their eyelids were heavy and felt like sandpaper rubbing against their eyeballs.

They kept catching themselves trying to slouch back.

If they didn’t get horizontal soon, they’d just fall asleep right here.

After what felt like only a few seconds, Dave was kneeling before them holding one of their dinosaur sleepers.

It was one of their favorites because the dinosaurs were abstract and designed in such a way that if you weren’t looking closely they just looked like paint splatters in every color of the rainbow.

“I think someone is way too tired for a bath.” At River’s nod, he added, “I need the answers to a couple of questions though.”

“Okay.” Wow, their voice was a bit weak and the word slurred just a little. They hadn’t experienced this level of exhaustion in a very long time.

“Do you need anything else besides the pajamas to get ready for bed?”

They shook their head. Even if they did have something with them like diapers or pull-ups, it wasn’t nearly the same putting them on and changing them oneself as it was to have someone taking care of it.

“Okay, baby. Do you want Daddy’s help getting changed?”

At that question, River took the time to really consider their answer.

Were they ready for that? They knew it would happen, especially since they’d specified the fact that they wanted the chance this week to let their Littlest self out, but this had all happened pretty fast. Still, start as you mean to go on, right?

“Yes, Daddy. Please.”

Dave

Dave had to school his features so they wouldn’t betray his sheer elation at hearing River call him Daddy. It was the most beautiful sound he’d ever heard. He also had to work hard to exude calm as he reached a hand to help River up and lead them to the bathroom.

Once inside, he quickly and efficiently undressed River, doing his best not to get distracted by each inch of bare skin he revealed.

It was one of the hardest things he’d ever done to reveal their flat, smooth chest and see those little, tight nipples without touching one to see if they were as sensitive as he imagined.

Still, he managed to completely undress his Little one, until they stood there in nothing more than their plain white underwear.

Grabbing the sleeper from where he’d set it on the counter, Dave held one foot out. “Hold onto my shoulders and step in.” River cooperated beautifully and almost too soon they were zipped into the pajamas.

Dave gripped their slender waist and lifted them onto the counter before grabbing the toothbrush and toothpaste from beside the sink.

“Open,” he instructed once he had the bristles covered in paste.

River didn’t utter a single objection, simply followed every instruction as he brushed their teeth, washed their face and braided their hair to keep it from tangling as they slept.

“Do you have a favorite bedtime story with you?” he asked as he drew back the covers on the bed for River to climb in.

“Um, yeah, in the nightstand drawer.”

Reluctantly, Dave turned from the delicious view of River’s ass as they crawled under the covers and opened the indicated drawer.

He drew out a tactile children’s book about touching dinosaurs and, finding it nestled under the book, retrieved a pacifier covered in bright jewels with a dinosaur in the center and the word Babysaurus on the handle. Cute.

“Here you go, babysaurus.” He slipped the paci between River’s lips and made a motion for them to scootch over a little as they let out a little roar around the nipple.

Once they’d moved over enough to give Dave room, he tucked them in snugly and climbed up on top of the covers, settling back against the headboard so they could see the book as he read.

“You must never touch a dinosaur…” Before he’d finished the first page of the book River had scooted as close as possible, resting their head on his lower belly.

By the time he’d finished page two, their eyes had closed.

When he was halfway through the third page, River snored the cutest snore he’d ever heard.

He quietly closed the book and placed it on the nightstand.

Waiting a few minutes to be sure River was fully asleep, he ran his hands over their silky ebony hair, enjoying being this close to them.

When he was certain they were fully asleep, he began to gently extricate himself, but River wasn’t having it.

As they slept, they whimpered each time he slid away and proceeded to scoot closer until their head once again rested on his lower belly.

Dave decided he could wait a bit longer before returning to his room.

He leaned back against the headboard again and went back to stroking River’s soft locks.

He thought about everything that happened that day and closed his eyes for a moment to thank the universe for this opportunity he’d been given.