Page 35 of Koa's Little Girl
Everyone patted Caden on the back as they tromped out to the truck. Piling into the cab and the truck bed, the team filled the space. Koa made sure to be next to his little girl in the cab.
CHAPTER 12
After parking her truck, Giana took a moment to gather her energy. She hoped Koa would understand that she was completely wiped out. All she wanted to do was wash the smoke smell out of her hair and crawl into bed. The quiet thunk of his door closing made her look toward the now-empty passenger seat.
She checked the mirror and saw him circle the back of the truck and arrive at her door. When he opened it, she rushed to say, “Koa, I’m…”
“Daddy,” he corrected gently and reached in to unfasten her seatbelt before scooping her up in his arms. “Come on, little girl. Let’s get cleaned up and take a nap.”
She wanted to suggest something else he might rather do, but that sounded heavenly. After nodding, she rested her cheek on his shoulder as he carried her into the house. “Daddy,” she whispered.
“Have you eaten?”
“No. That fire burned so hot. We roasted in our gear. I couldn’t imagine eating.” Some of the guys had iron stomachs, and they’d refueled while she was filling out forms. They’dbrought her a sandwich, but the thought of taking a bite made her stomach roll.
“We’ll get some nutrition in you before you sleep,” Koa promised.
She nodded. “Shower, Daddy.”
“Bath, Flame,” he suggested as they walked down the hall to the large bathroom.
“Not hot,” she pleaded.
“Cool. It will help bring your temperature down. Trust your daddy.”
“Will you wash my hair? It smells like smoke.”
“Of course. Daddy’s going to get every part of you clean.”
That promise made her stomach do another flip-flop. Not the bad kind that made her sick, but the type that kindled a different type of fire inside her. She couldn’t believe she could even consider hanky-panky. But her body was all in—especially when Koa sat her on the side of the tub and turned to start the water.
She reached out to pat his hard butt. It felt amazing. Her face heated as he stood back up to look at her.
“I’m glad you’re recovering. Let’s get you in the tub and find some toys for you to play with instead of Daddy’s butt.”
“No toys are finer than that,” she assured him and her face flamed even hotter.
“Thank you, little girl. I like your bottom as well. Now, let’s get you undressed and in the tub.”
Koa undressed her carefully, running his fingers over her skin to check for any injuries or hot spots. That sensation in her tummy grew hotter as he examined her. When her clothes lay scattered on the floor, Koa lifted her into the tub and helped her settle before turning off the water. The liquid flowed around her, feeling delicious as it cooled her fever.
Giana settled back against the tub, loving the additional chill of the porcelain. Koa knelt by her side, gently sloshing cool waterover her skin. A deep sigh eased from her lips as she relaxed. The pressure and worry of the day floated away on the surface of the water as it lapped over her.
“This is heaven,” she whispered.
“Good. Scoot down and wet your hair, Flame. Let’s wash away the smokiness first.”
She nodded and slid her bottom along the tub to dunk her head under the water. When she emerged, Koa handed her a soft, dry washcloth.
“Hold this over your eyes, little girl.”
When Giana had followed his instructions, Koa poured a bit of shampoo from the bottle she’d brought from home and rubbed it over her tresses and scalp with firm but gentle fingertips. She loved the feel of having her hair washed. “You are so good at that.”
“I have three younger sisters. They trained me well.”
“Really? Are you the only boy in your family?” Giana asked, peeking from under the washcloth.
“Keep that in place, little girl. You don’t want soap in your eyes,” he told her firmly.
