Fuck, he was so hard it was painful. His balls were tight. He wanted nothing more than to circle her clit, to drive his finger inside her, to make her come again in his arms.
“Right, little one. Time for bed.”
He stood then leaned over and picked her up in his arms. He held her against his body, supporting her weight as he grabbed a towel then wrapped it around her. He was fully soaked by now. Hmm, maybe taking all his clothes off before he bathed her wasn’t such a stupid idea.
He sat her on the counter and dried her off before placing the towel in the hamper. Then he picked her up once more and carried her into the bedroom.
He laid her on the bed and placed the weighted blanket over her. He noted that she immediately grabbed hold of the doll.
“Got any more of those jokes?” he asked as he strode over to the walk-in closet.
“Sure. What do whales need to stay healthy?”
“Food?” he asked as he searched for a nightgown. He finally picked out a white one with sunflowers on it and frills around the bottom. It was simple but feminine.
“No, Daddy. Vitamin Sea.” She cracked up again and he had to shake his head at her silliness. He’d never thought that Eden could be like this. But then again, he hadn’t had much to do with her Little before, either.
“Where did you get all these jokes from?” he asked as he moved back to her. He slid the blanket off.
She was gorgeous.
Her face grew serious. “Keira used to tell me jokes in the hospital to cheer me up.”
Ah. He knew they must have built a close bond. Two little girls stuck in the hospital together. One, whose father abused her. The other who’d just lost her parents and had her whole world tipped upside down.
He slid the nightgown over her head, helping her get her arms through the sleeves. He loved helping her like this. Something settled inside him. Something that felt right. As though he’d been waiting all his life for this moment.
“I’m glad you had each other.” He squeezed her hand gently.
She cleared her throat. “Maybe I should try calling her again.”
“Maybe. But not tonight. Tonight is about you.”
She smiled up at him tentatively. “Thanks for coming for me, Zeke.”
“Princess, I’ll always come for you.” He leaned in and kissed her. It started off gentle but soon morphed into something else. Something wilder. He drew back before he could get too carried away.
“Hmm, Daddy doesn’t have any clean panties for you. So, you’ll have to do without tonight.”
“Th-that’s okay.”
“I hate not having everything I need to take care of you.” No panties, no crutches. He frowned. “Were there any medications you needed?”
“Um, no. Just painkillers I take when I get headaches.”
“Tell me if you feel one coming on and I’ll get you some painkillers, all right, little one? After I get you all set up in bed, I’ll go get your chair and do a check outside.”
“Can I come with you?”
“No, princess. It’s too late and cold for you to be up. You need your sleep.” He got her situated in the bed, her back resting against the pillows so she was half-reclined.
She pouted; her lower lip pressed out. “Don’t wanna got to bed.”
It was fucking adorable.
Still, he reached up and tapped her lip. Wouldn’t do to let her think that she got to sulk when she didn’t get her way.
“Well, what you want and what’s best for you can be two different things. Right now, what you need is to get some rest.” He ran his thumb under her eye where shadows were present.