“Why no?” She reached for a loofah and drew it languidly down one arm.

He didn’t miss the flush of pink on her cheeks or the slight tightening of her fingers on the sponge and wanted to kick himself for making her second-guess herself.

“I mean…” He scrubbed at his unshaven jaw, unable to stop the tremor in his hand. “This isn’t what I intended for our weekend.”

“I know.” She dunked herself under the water, making her hair spread out in a fan surrounded by bubbles. When she resurfaced, she added, “If you were planning to have your wicked way with me, you wouldn’t have put my stuff in a guest room.”

“That isn’t?—”

“I appreciate you for giving me the choice, Daddy.” She turned to face him and rested her arms on the edge of the tub. “You’ll probably never know how much it means to have the opportunity to say no, but I want this. I want us.”

“I want—” He shook his head and tried to focus, but the sight of her in his tub sent his mind reeling with need. “Babygirl, I want too much, and you’re too perfect.”

Laughing, she settled back against the bath pillow. “I’m not perfect. Did you know I smoked pot once? That makes me a criminal, right? Maybe my Daddy should spank me for being a bad girl.”

“Cannabis use is legal in Arizona as long as you’re of age.” He pressed his lips together to suppress a smile as he unbuttoned his shirt. “Which you are. Sorry, baby.”

“Shoot.” She rolled her eyes and sighed. “I’m really bad at being bad, huh?”

“It’s fun to watch you try though.” He resisted the urge to suck in his gut and unbuckled his belt before taking off his jeans and boxers. “Scoot up so I can sit behind you.”

“Yes, Daddy.” She moved forward, giving him enough space to climb in, then sighed happily when he wrapped his arms around her and let her recline against his chest. “I have some other things to add to my bucket list.”

“Oh?” His cock throbbed with his every heartbeat, and he had to clear his throat before he could continue. “What things?”

“I want a bathroom with a tub at least this big, and enough room for a library with a rolling ladder like yours.” She laughed softly and rested her head on his shoulder. “That’s silly, isn’t it? I should just put my e-reader in a waterproof case.”

“It sounds beautiful though.” He brushed his lips over her temple. “Maybe not practical, but beautiful.”

“With a big garden window surrounded by plants.” She pointed at the large spider plant hanging in front of the bathroom window. “Maybe orchids. They’re so pretty, but I’ve never grown anything except corn and beans.”

“Doesn’t mean you can’t,” he reminded her, thankful for the conversation keeping his mind off his aching erection. With every word, her body relaxed, becoming supple under his hands, and he was more than happy to let her go at her own pace.

“I don’t say the c-word anymore, Daddy.” She turned to look at him and blinked eyes fringed with spiky lashes. “It’s just a whole lot of things I don’t know how to do yet.”

“That’s my good girl.” Walt tipped up her chin and kissed her, then pulled back before he got carried away. “We’ll buy you an orchid soon. Give it a shot and see how you like it.”

“Mmm.” She closed her eyes and pressed her curvy ass against his groin. “I think I’m liking sharing a bath with you.”

“Me too.” He stroked her shoulders, loving how she arched to meet his touch. “I’d say your idea was positively inspired.”

She turned in his arms and straddled him. Her core brushed against his thick shaft as she lowered her face to kiss him. He groaned into her mouth, trying his damndest to keep still instead of thrusting into her wet heat.

“Fuck me.” He tightened his hands on the edges of the tub to keep himself from grabbing her. “Christ.”

“I’m trying, Daddy.” Susan swiveled her hips, her sweet pussy coming dangerously close to something they wouldn’t be able to take back. He didn’t have condoms in the bathroom, for one thing. And there was no way in hell he’d take her bare and risk getting her pregnant—no matter how much his inner caveman wanted to see her filled with his child.

“Aw, hell, baby.” Holding her tight, he lurched to his feet and stepped out of the tub.

Unsurprisingly, he stumbled, nearly dropping her before he managed to find his footing. Her sweet giggles filled the bathroom as she wriggled free and grabbed a towel.

Slowly, she dried him, her laughter fading as she drew the thick terrycloth over his body. “You’re so beautiful,” she murmured.

“No, that would be you.” He took the towel from her and returned the favor, making sure to squeeze the water from her hair. “I’m just an old cop.”

“You’re notjustanything.” Instead of letting him finish drying her, she wrapped her arms around his waist and kissed a path up his chest to his neck. “You’re my Daddy and being your babygirl is better than anything I could put on a bucket list.”

Susan