“Exactly. Now, are you ready to go home?”
“Yes, Daddy.”
CHAPTER 16
The rattle of the heavy door woke Brooklyn as her daddy pulled into the garage. She jerked and groaned when she jostled her head. Pressing a hand to her temple under the heavy bandaging, Brooklyn waited for her brain to stop sloshing around inside her skull.
“Let’s get you inside, sweetheart.”
When he opened her door, she gathered the last of her energy to move. Caden scooped her gently from her seat and carried her into the house. Walking through the rooms, he took her directly to the bathroom and stood her next to the bathtub. Caden turned on the water to warm before saying, “Let’s get you cleaned up.”
Brooklyn reached for the bottom of her T-shirt, but her daddy pulled her hands away. Grateful to have him take over, she stood there using her energy to remain upright. The pain in her head overwhelmed her thinking. Thank goodness her daddy was there to help her, and she’d let Giana take her to the hospital.
“Okay, baby girl. I’m going to sit you in the bathtub so we can get you cleaned up for bed. No splashing. We can’t get your bandages wet.”
He lifted her into his arms and placed her bottom on a soft towel he’d placed in the bathtub. Supporting her with one hand, he used the plastic cup from the sink to pour water over her. Each cascade soothed her jangled nerves and relaxed her tense muscles. She melted as he spread the silky body wash over her skin.
By the time he’d rinsed the suds off, Brooklyn wasn’t sure if she was awake or asleep. She roused when Caden stretched her out on the changing table in her nursery. “Cold,” she whimpered at the feel of the waterproof material underneath her.
“Sorry, Brookie. I’ll have you in bed soon.”
He dragged the thick belt she’d noticed before across her tummy and snapped it into place. She shivered until he draped the soft blanket from her crib over her nude body. A kiss landed on her cheek.
“Stay still, little girl. Zale dropped off some medicine for you. Let’s see if it will erase your headache, okay?”
“Please.” What a relief it would be to stop this pounding.
Blinking awake as he turned her over on her side, Brooklyn automatically struggled.
“Stop, little girl. I’m going to give you some medicine to help your head.”
“I’ll need to sit up to swallow,” she muttered.
“Little girls with hurt noggins don’t take pills with their mouths,” he told her. “Zale made you medicine that won’t upset your stomach.”
“He’s so nice,” Brooklyn said, melting onto the padding below her. Caden bent her legs and wrapped something behind her knees to hold them in place.
“Wait! What?” she protested as he separated her buttocks and pressed a glob of something cold on the small ring of muscles hidden there.
“Relax, little girl. This is much better than a shot.”
That made her stop for a second. His finger pressing into her bottom made her struggle to straighten her legs. Her energy evaporated quickly, and she panted, sagging in exhaustion.
“Trust Daddy to take care of you,” he said quietly. “You want to feel better, don’t you?”
“Yes,” she whispered.
“Good girl.”
Closing her eyes, she allowed him to press a thick item into her bottom, stretching that ring of muscles despite her attempts to stop him. The second slid inside easier. She shivered at the cold sensation filling her tight passage.
“I’ll wrap you in a blanket in a few minutes, little girl. The medicine will warm up quickly as it melts. Let’s get a diaper to protect you.”
She held her breath, wondering if he would notice she’d used one of the diapers underneath. When Caden didn’t say anything about it but simply released her knees and rolled her to her back, Brooklyn breathed a sigh of relief. The crinkly garment around her body lured her further into Little space. She didn’t question the pacifier he brushed over her lips but welcomed it eagerly. A short time later, she cuddled onto her pillow on her side to avoid the wound on the back of her head and tumbled into sleep.
Wakingup in the morning light, Brooklyn found herself held against her daddy’s bare chest. Her heart seemed to swell inside her chest as she processed he was home. She inhaled deeply, loving his scent—all warm and masculine. The corners of her mouth tilted upward as she realized he must have showered after tucking her in bed.
His chest rose under her cheek with his deep and easy breath. She loved that he slept so well. She’d only seen Zale, Jerico, and Caden up close. The other guys had hung back away from their vehicle as Caden had carried her to the truck. Aspen, Pippa, and Giana had waited to make sure she was okay.
