Page 196 of Papa's Bébé
Before she hit the floor, though, she felt herself scooped up into a strong pair of arms and held tight against a warm, firm chest.
Matthieu said something in a low, quiet voice. But she couldn’t understand what he was saying. Was that French?
“Yes, Bébé. It was French. Basically, I told you that you’re in big trouble tomorrow.”
Great.
“I’m always in trouble,” she grumbled.
“Then you need to start thinking before you act,” he told her as he laid her on the bed. His accent was leaking out which surprised her.
Damn that was sexy.
“What is sexy?” he asked as he drew the covers up over her.
Drat. Why did she keep talking without realizing it?
“Your accent,” she mumbled. “It’s unfair that you’re already so sexy then you go and add a sexy accent. Leave something for the rest of us.”
“My apologies, Spitfire,” he told her. “I’ll try and get onto that.”
“See that you do,” she informed him. “I’m so tired.”
“I know you are.” Something heavy jumped up next to her legs and she startled.
“Shh, it’s just Tank. I think he wants to be close to you.”
“Poor Tankie. He’s probably scared. I keep you safe, Tanks. I love you. I loves all of you.”
Matthieu watchedas she drifted off to sleep. He guessed her exhaustion had finally won and she’d forgotten that she didn’t have her stuffed dolphin. Although Butch had said he’d race over with it.
Maya would probably be shocked to learn how everyone was practically falling over themselves to try and help her.
Over the past few weeks, they’d all learned about her soft heart when it came to animals, the way she took on the animals no one else wanted, the emotional abuse she’d suffered from herfather and stepmother. And then to have this happen . . . yep, she had everyone falling in love with her.
And he knew she wouldn’t believe him if he told her that.
But there was a lot to love about Maya.
He knew that.
He found himself wanting to be more and more for her. To be her champion, her protector, her safe space.
Her Papa.
Because he was certain she was a Little.
Could he help her? He could see how close to the edge she was, hell, she’d basically just fainted in front of him from stress and exhaustion.
Maya needed a break.
And getting her Little to take over would give her that. Letting him take control and make the decisions for her might help her. But convincing her could be an issue.
There was a quiet knock on the door and he got up, checking the camera. Butch. After turning off the alarm, he opened the door. The saferoom was probably overkill considering there was no way Vince would ever get in the building, but no one was taking any chances.
Butch handed him a box of stuff. “I did some looking around, didn’t mean to pry but I thought I might be able to grab some other things that the smoke didn’t get to. Found this stuff in the closet. Most of her clothes stink of smoke and I didn’t want to touch them.”
“No, thanks for this, though. Livvy is organizing some clothes for her.”
