Page 32 of Protecting Little Phoebe

“Then you’re going to get a sore butt. Because I really don’t think I can go to sleep this early.”

“We’ll see.” Reaching out, he lightly massaged her scalp. Her eyes slowly closed. Not tired, huh?

“Oh, that’s nice. But I still don’t think that a princess should have a bedtime.”

“Unfortunately, this princess does.” Damn, she looked adorable when she pouted. He had to be strong and not give into her.

No matter how much he wanted to.

“It also doesn’t mean you get to do anything you want. In fact, when you’re a princess, I think there are more rules.”

She gasped and opened her eyes to glare up at him. “What? Why?”

“Because you need them to keep you safe. A princess always has to be protected.”

“Well, I guess that’s true. We are very important people.”

“You certainly are. I will come get you in the morning for breakfast. Go to sleep, little girl.”

CHAPTER 9

Phoebe was nervous. She didn’t get nervous much. She’d much rather spend her time thinking about happy things. Like playing with her toys or dancing or pulling funny faces in the mirror. Which was exactly what she was doing right now to try and make herself laugh. She was used to having to cheer herself up.

But nerves kept bouncing around in her tummy. What if Barren spanked her? What if he’d changed his mind and wasn’t coming to get her? Maybe he’d decided that she was too much work. That he wanted someone more mature. Someone who had their life together.

That wasn’t Phoebe.

She couldn’t really focus. She struggled to hide her feelings and emotions. Everything she felt, you knew about, which she knew could be a lot. Her feelings could be big. What if she’d inadvertently upset him?

Had she?

She stuck her tongue out at herself and then crossed her eyes. This wasn’t working. “Oogie boogie woogie,” she said as she stuck her fingers in her ears. Okay, that was a bit funny. A knock on the door startled her and she moved over to the door, opening it.

“Oogie boogie,” she said as Barren gaped down at her.

“Um, are you all right, little girl?” he asked.

“Uh-huh.” Why was he asking her that?

Maybe because you’re pulling a face still. Oh shivers!

She pulled her tongue in and stopped wrinkling her nose up.

“You’re here!” She threw herself at him and he immediately wrapped his arms around her, pulling her up against his chest.

“Hey, what’s this?” he asked. “What’s the matter?”

“I’m just so glad you’re here.”

He carried her into the bedroom, and she wiggled, trying to get down.

“Stay still,” he commanded, slapping her bottom lightly.

“What was that for?” she asked. “I wasn’t naughty! I don’t need a spanking!”

“That wasn’t a spanking,” he informed her. “It was a slap to get your attention.”

“It wasn’t?”

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