Page 61 of Cutter

As he quickly showered himself and pulled a towel from the wall rack, Blade and Cel came to mind. He squeezed Emily’s hair, then patted her dry, his thoughts still on his best friend and his wife. Details started to make sense to him. Especially Blade’s ferocity when it came to protecting Cel…

“You okay, Daddy?”

Pushing Blade and Cel out of his mind, he smiled down at her. “I’m better than okay, sweet Emmy.”

“You were so silent.”

He finished drying her body. Wrapping a new towel around her long hair, he used one to put around his waist. Shit, laundry was piling up. He had to come up with a system. “I was thinking about my best friend Blade and his wife. You’ll like Cel.”

“Oh. Is she nice?”

“She is.” Holding her hand, he walked to the playroom. It was time to indulge her age regression until she was ready to change. “What would you like to do today? You’ll have to entertain yourself while I finish cooking. Remember?”

“Yes, Daddy.” He’d never tire of the smile she gave him. It was so sincere and happy, it touched his soul.

Staring at the closet full of outfits, he scratched his head. “I’ll help you dress, sweetie. Which one?”

“Not this.” Shaking her head, she walked to her dresser, then touched the second drawer. “This.”

Interesting. Emily didn’t say anything as he pulled out the drawer she’d indicated and looked inside. There were several folded items. His eyes fell on white shorts with black hearts. A black knit top was folded with the shorts, and he knew. “These?”

“Yes, Daddy.”

His learning experience continued when he opened the top drawer in search of panties and she touched his hand. “I do.”

“What about a bra?” Unsure of what should come next, he tossed that question out.

She put her palms over her breasts. “No bra.”

He wasn’t going to argue. Her breasts weren’t huge, but she was far from flat. For his tastes, her breasts were the ideal size. However, if not wearing a bra enhanced her age regression, he’d play along. Dressing her took minutes. Emily cooperated with every direction he gave her. In the end, one detail remained. Her hair was still very wet. It would ruin her cute outfit.

“Where’s your blow-dryer?” She had to have one. Emily went to work every day.

“In there.” Lifting a shoulder in a coy gesture, she pointed at the pink-and-white vanity with the heart mirror. As he studied the piece, he realized it had been made for a smaller person. In fact, everything in this room had been specially made or purchased in a kid’s store to fit Emily’s age needs.

“Go sit.”

She obeyed without making a peep as he searched. He found the blow-dryer, brushes, and combs in the bottom drawer, then stood behind her, staring at her reflection. A hint of expectation was obvious in her features. But when he lifted her hair andslowly ran a wide-toothed comb through it, she closed her eyes and sighed.

Cutter didn’t hesitate. Drying and brushing was a daily habit for him. Keeping her eyes closed, Emily didn’t move during the process. When he finished and ran his fingers through her glossy hair, he asked, “Would you like your hair up or down?”

“You decide, Daddy.”

“Up it is,” he said. Selecting a black scrunchie from the drawer, he had her hair up in seconds. Emily was beautiful, but in her outfit and with her hair in a ponytail, she was the cutest little thing he’d ever seen. His heart ached as a swell of tenderness rose in him. Yes. Tween fit her to a tee.

“All right, sweetie. I have to get dinner ready. What are you going to do?”

“I want to finish my puzzle, Daddy. Is that okay?”

He kissed her forehead. “Of course it is. I’ll be in the kitchen. Need anything, come get me. Don’t do it by yourself. Understand?”

“Yes, Daddy.”

The way she looked at him now, with such awe and gratitude, thrilled him. In his entire life, he’d never felt this good or as satisfied. Cutter left her room, wondering how he’d existed without her all these years.

Chapter Twelve

Cutter woke up early and tiptoed out of Emily’s room. He’d started a load of laundry while cooking bacon in the oven, his thoughts on what Sunday might bring. Today could be a huge day, full of revelations for both of them, but especially for him.

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