Series: Paige Michaels
Total pages in book: 48
Estimated words: 45562 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 228(@200wpm)___ 182(@250wpm)___ 152(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 45562 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 228(@200wpm)___ 182(@250wpm)___ 152(@300wpm)
They liked to be able to see, plus Floppy got testy and complained when she was squished into a tight space with Sharpy. For a good reason. Tatiana couldn’t blame her one bit.
It only took five minutes to get from her apartment to Maniac’s house. When she pulled into the driveway, she turned off the engine but didn’t get out. Nerves crept in. This was so weird. Was she really moving in with Maniac after knowing him all these years? Was he really her Daddy?
She jumped when the garage door suddenly went up in front of her. As it rose, she saw Maniac’s legs coming forward until he ducked his head to come toward her. He was so tall. Six-four. And broad. And strong. And so fucking sexy. She licked her lips.
He opened her door. “I saw you pull up, Rainbow. Why are you just sitting here?”
She tipped her head back. “I don’t know. I got nervous.”
He squatted down so their faces were level. “I don’t want you to be nervous with me. I know this is new, but we’re going to figure it out together.” He took her hand and brought it to his face, rubbing her knuckles over his rough whiskers.
“I brought some…things,” she told him, feeling foolish for how much she’d packed.
“Good. That’s what I told you to do.” He glanced past her to the passenger seat. “I see you brought some friends too. Would you like to introduce us?”
She pursed her lips while she stared at her new Daddy, trying to make sure he wasn’t going to make fun of her. Finally, she turned and pulled Sharpy out of the bag. She watched Maniac’s face closely as she held him out. “This is Sharpy. He’s a porcupine. His quills reminded me of tattoo needles. That’s why I got him.” She covered his ears and leaned in closer to her Daddy to whisper, “Don’t ever mention that his quills aren’t really sharp. He hates that. It’s best to humor him. He doesn’t know he’s not a real porcupine.”
Maniac nodded, his expression serious. “Thanks for letting me know.” He reached out. “May I hold him?”
Tatiana bit her lip as she released one of her prized possessions.
“Nice to meet you, Sharpy. Thank you for coming. I can’t wait to show you around. I know the two of us will be best friends in no time.”
Tatiana watched Maniac’s expression closely. He never wavered. He wasn’t making fun of her at all.
Feeling less timid, she grabbed Floppy next. “And this is Floppy.”
Maniac reached out to pet the bear’s head. “I can see how she got her name.”
“Yeah, that’s really a nickname. Her real name is Rambo. She was pretty sturdy and solid when I got her, but she’s been washed a lot so she’s gotten floppy.”
Maniac smiled. “Do you have to wash her a lot to keep her white?”
Tatiana shook her head and sat up taller. “She’s the kind of stuffie you can color on. I have a pack of markers for her. I give her tattoos. When I get tired of them, I wash them off and start over again.”
“That’s ingenious. I love it. I guess you washed her recently. She’s very white. Did you bring your markers?”
“Of course, silly. She’s kind of disgruntled right now. She’ll be happier after I cover her with pretty pictures.”
Maniac rose, carefully tucking Sharpy under his arm so the porcupine could still see. He reached for Tatiana’s hand. “How about we get you inside. I assume you have more things in the trunk?”
“Yeah,” she murmured as she stepped out of the car.
“I’ll come back and get your things and pull your car into the garage,” he announced.
“Okay.” She grabbed her backpack and followed him into the house.
“You can put your backpack on the table if you want. I’ll be right back, Rainbow.”
Tatiana shuffled across the kitchen toward the table. She’d been in Maniac’s house a million times. They were friends. Sometimes they got together to talk about work, but other times they relaxed with some beer and watched a movie or a sporting event.
Nothing was the same now. She wondered if they would still drink beer and watch football together. Probably not. Was that weird?
Lost in thought, she startled as she heard the garage door going down and Maniac shutting the door to the kitchen. He was holding her giant suitcase in one hand and had her makeup bag tucked under the same arm. Sharpy was under his other arm. He didn’t look the least bit put out.
“I brought a lot of things,” she murmured as he approached. “I wasn’t sure…”
He tipped her chin back and met her gaze. “You weren’t sure of what, Baby girl? I told you to pack some things. I’m glad you took me seriously.” He handed her Sharpy.
“Okay.”
“Now, I know you’ve been here dozens of times, but there’s one room I’ve never shown you.”