Page 14 of Rayna's Daddy

I flipped on the light in the bathroom. She flinched.

“Why don’t you take it off?” I turned on the faucet.

She gasped.

“I bet if you put your hands inside the shirt, you can shimmy out of it.”

“Oh.” She blushed and turned away from me. The dress fell down around her ankles. She kicked it away. “You can burn it, if you want.” She put her arms back into the shirt and crossed her arms over her chest.

She peaked at the mirror on one wall of the bathroom. Touching her fingers to her lips.

“I don’t think this paint will come off.” She pouted.

“Let me give it a try.” I hoisted her up on the counter and opened one of the draws. A packet of wet wipes sat in the back of the draw. The label said it was safe to use on her face. I wiped the lipstick off her lips and showed it to her.

“Wow, magic.” She touched her bare lips.

“Let’s see if we can get the rest of this clown makeup, off.” I gently cleaned the rest of her face. Removed the eyelashes and the multiple layers of makeup to reveal her natural beauty. Her face brightened and those big brown eyes looked up at me with such gratitude. It knocked me on my ass. I had never reacted to a woman the way I reacted to Rayna.

“Can you help me with this, too?” She picked at a curl in her hair. “It’s got like a bazillion pins in it and it's hurting my neck.” Her head slumped forward, and he groaned for emphasis. The sound vibrated through me and made my dick ache.

“I think you need more sleep.” I reached up. “Let me see what I can do.”

I took each pin out one at a time, careful not to pull her hair. As I took them out, spiral curls fell down her back and framed her face. I paused and took her in, all her innocent beauty in front of me. I fought the urge to run my fingers through it.

“Last one.” I add it to the rest of the pile. “Only a gazillion.”

“Is gazillion less than a bazillion?” She asked and giggled.

“I think so.”

She lifted her hands, but they fell back down by her side when a yawn took over her whole body.

“Why am I so tired?” She pouted.

“You’ve had a big night.” I searched the other draws and found a brush and some hair ties. I gathered her hair in a ponytail on top of her hair and secured it. “I think it’s time for Ninja Rayn Drop to catch some zzz’s before her next mission.”

I tapped her nose, and her face scrunched up in the cutest way. She nodded and reached her arms up. My chest tightened with affection for this little creature in front of me. She was fierce and strong, but so sweet an innocent. I hated what she went through tonight and hoped it didn’t take that innocence away. I gathered her in my arms. She wrapped her arms and legs around me. She was so adorable and would probably forget all this by morning time, but tonight she let me care for her and I was grateful.

Tomorrow would be another story.

CHAPTER5

Abright light and warmth woke me up. I pushed the covers off and tried to swallow, but my mouth was too dry. A bottle of water sat within arm’s reach on the nightstand. I leaned on my elbow, grabbed it, and took a sip while surveying the room. My suitcase and purse sat at the end of the bed.

I pulled it up on the bed and opened it. Nothing was missing except my phone.

I frowned and slid out of bed. I looked down at the wrinkled button-down shirt engulfing me. Pushing up the sleeves, I brought the collar to my nose. It smelled like him. A subtle cologne with hints of wood and cinnamon. My mouth watered. I on the other hand, felt gross. I grabbed some clothes and padded into the bathroom.

I looked in the mirror and it all came back. He had removed my makeup and fixed my hair. He took care of me.

Apparently, I needed taking care of.

How did I end up at that party last night?

I needed to talk to Natalie. Obviously, working at her father’s hotel was not going to happen. Did she know what was going on? Maybe she did, but she couldn’t have thought it was something I would want to be involved in.

And Her father asking me if I was a virgin. “Yikes.” I cringed and shook it out of my head. I rubbed my knuckles. They were sore from punching Mr. Santorini in the nose. I shrugged.

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