Page 31 of Rayna's Daddy

In two seconds, Kyler was by my side.

“Easy. Here,” He grabbed my hand, switching the water to cold. Testing it before pushing my hand under the faucet.

“That hurts.” I blinked the tears out of my eyes. It was just a burn, nothing to cry about. I would not hold up well to torture.

“I know.” He stood behind me. As the cool water soothed the burn, I noticed his body pressed up against me. “Give it a few minutes to cool down.”

“It still hurts.” I leaned back against him.

“I know, sweetheart.” He rubbed my back with one hand while holding my hand under the cool spray with the other.

He was warm against me. I could fall into his arms and have him rock me to sleep. I blinked and scooted to my left.

“It feels fine, now.” I pull my hand away and dried it off on a towel.

“Let me see it.” Concern etched across his facial features. He held my wrist and inspected my hand. His touch was so gentle, so careful. It made my tummy flip.

“It will be fine.” My hand throbbed and turned an angry red color. I tried to pull away, but Kyler wouldn’t let go.

“Be still.” His booming voice settled my stomach. His touch soothed and scared me. I backed away from him.

“Really, it’s fine.” I yanked my hand back, and it slammed against the counter. “Shit.”

“Rayna.” He frowned and followed me out of the kitchen. “Why are you running away from me?”

“I’m not.”

He narrowed his eyes.

“Don’t look at me with those eyes.” My hand throbbed, but his disappointed look hurt worse.

Kyler shook his head and went back into the kitchen.

I knew it. I was too much for him to take and not the type of little he was used to. He was looking for a cute little who liked tea parties and frilly dresses.

Cut-off shorts and crop top t-shirts were more my vibe. My secret identity was more ninja and less princess. My favorite stuffie was a penguin with spectacles named Sherlock. I’d rather watch anime than cartoons.

“What’s that pout for?” Kyler sat next to me on the couch, holding an ice pack in his palm.

I placed my hand on the pack. He wrapped the ends around my hand and held it on his thigh.

I peeked into his eyes, and I sang like a canary.

“I’m not a girly little. Pink bows and Mary Janes aren’t my style.”

“Not a big surprise, Ninja Rayn Drop.” He grinned.

He’d called me that before.

“And, Sherlock and I don’t have tea parties.” I sank back onto the couch. “I’m not a My Little Pony kind of little. I like Naruto.”

“Who’s Sherlock and what’s Naruto?” He asked.

“Sherlock is my penguin stuffie.” I answered, but then sat up, my back ramrod straight. “OMG, you don’t know Naruto?”

Kyler shook his head.

“It’s like the coolest ninja anime ever. It’s about this ninja named Naruto and he’s so misunderstood, but he wants to be the leader of his village, but no one around him sees his potential. And, he’s keeping a huge secret, which I won’t tell you about, but he and his friends all have special skills and must fight for acceptance and respect and . . .” My voice trailed off.

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