He opened drawers until he found a small container with hair ties. He knew Hayes would be prepared. He gently brushed her hands away and tied her hair up in a messy knot. Then he helped her lie back so the bubbles hid most of her from his view.
“Would you like some toys to play with, baby girl?”
“I. . .I don’t know.” She looked adorable as she bit her lip in consternation.
“There’s no right or wrong answer, princess.”
“Then yes. . .maybe?”
He reached under the counter and pulled out the basket filled with toys. He grabbed the squishy, vinyl book first. “Why don’t you read a story?”
She pursed her lips. “Think that’s your job, Daddy.”
“Well, Daddy has his hands full with other things.” He winked at her and she lowered her gaze to the book. He started washing her body. God, her skin was smooth. Her limbs were long and lean. A little too lean, maybe. She needed to eat a bit more and build up some muscle.
He washed both arms then moved to her chest as she started to read. Or pretended to read.
“What do you do with a blue whale, Daddy?” she asked.
“I don’t know.” He was trying to stop himself from lingering on her breasts, from toying with her nipples, and it was killing him. But he wanted her Eden to fully relax around him.
“You try to cheer them up.” She cracked up in into laughter that actually had the corners of his lips turning up. Not because of the joke. It was terrible. But the sound of her laughter did something to him.
He was generally a serious person. But so was she. Oh, she smiled plenty, but she didn’t laugh. Certainly not like this.
Right now, she sounded like she had no cares, when she usually went around with the weight of the world on her shoulders. He liked that he could do that for her. He ran the cloth down her stomach and over her hips. She stiffened and he backed off slightly.
“Good one, baby girl,” he told her warmly. He moved to her legs.
She cleared her throat and moved back to the book as he ran the cloth up her legs.
“What time is it when a whale jumps into your boat?”
He shook his head. “What sort of book is that?” He peered down at the pages. There were just pictures, no words. “These are jokes you know of by heart?” That surprised him.
“Yep. So?”
“I don’t know. Five o’clock.”
“Jeez, Daddy, you could at least try!” she scolded him. “It’s time to get another boat, of course!” She cracked up again, snorting with laughter. She slammed her hand down as she laughed, sending sprays of water in his direction.
Zeke just stared down at her, his hair dripping, his shirt wet. “Um, little one? You want to apologize for splashing me?”
As she took a good look at him, her laughter increased. “Whoops!”
“Whoops? Whoops! Is that all you have to say! You little brat,” he said with mock-sternness. “Daddy ought to spank your bottom for this.”
She was giggling too hard to pay much attention to him. He grabbed a towel and dried himself off.
“Sorry I got you all wet, Daddy.” The look she gave him belied her apology. But he didn’t care. He hadn’t truly been mad.
He leaned in and kissed the tip of her nose. “Lucky you’re so cute.”
Her breath caught but he drew back to continue washing her legs. Then he pressed his hand between her thighs to wash her pussy. She froze, but he didn’t linger.
Build her trust. Build her trust.
Because he needed to make his intentions clear. He needed her to trust that he was sticking around no matter what.