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Auntie helped her climb onto the changing table where she laid flat and looked up at the ceiling while Athena went to work.

The old and new diapers rustled loudly as Auntie folded and unfolded. The aroma of baby powder was comforting. It felt good, too, as it landed on her skin and Auntie gently moved it around.

Another few seconds later, Tessa was dry, had a fresh diaper on, and was ready to face the day.

“That was fast. You’ve done this before,” she noted as Auntie held her hand while she scampered down the steps of the changing table.

Athena chuckled. “Just a few times. Taking care of Littles is my life.”

Tessa stopped and looked at her. “May I ask a personal question, Ma’am?”

“You can ask me anything, sweetie.”

“Do you have a Little of your own?”

Athena smiled softly. “No, honey. It’s the great irony. I’ve dedicated my life to taking care of little cuties like you. Being a Mommy—or Auntie—is the most important thing in the world to me. But I still haven’t found my precious Little one. Perhaps one day.”

Tessa nodded. “I hope you find them soon.”

“Aww, thank you, honey. You’re sweet. And I bet I will. Until then, well… I get to keep taking care of cuties like you.”

“Will you shut the nursery down when you have your own Little?”

“Oh, no! This place is my calling.”

Tessa was glad to hear that. She’d only been there less than twenty-four hours and already she couldn’t imagine a world without the Hollywood Haven.

“I need to go check on the other girls. Do you want to go down for breakfast?” Athena asked as they left the nursery. “Auntie Caroline has made pancakes and bacon.”

Caroline was the other woman who worked at the nursery, though she didn’t live there like Athena and Trevon did. Tessa had met her briefly yesterday. She seemed just as sweet as Athena was, and Tessa loved her southern accent.

“Breakfast does sound nice, but I’ll wait on everyone else,” Tessa said. “I might use this time to get ready.”

“Sounds great, honey. We’ll see you down in the kitchen in a little while.”

Auntie hugged her one more time before Tessa happily went down the hall and to the bathroom, practically skipping.

Thirty minutes later, she was ready for the day, besides putting on a full outfit instead of just the short cami and diaper she was wearing. Obviously, she’d have to slip into something more before leaving the mansion.

As it turned out, she wished she had put on more instantly. Because when she went down the back stairwell that led to the kitchen, she stopped dead in her tracks and gasped.

Damon Drake was there. Looking right at her. Smiling.

He seemed to like what he saw.

Chapter Six

“Good morning,” Damon said.

Tessa froze for a few seconds, but she eventually recovered enough to respond, “Good morning, Sir.”

He placed his glass of orange juice on the giant island and stepped closer, wearing the same smile he’d worn last night, only now it was somehow more charming.

Maybe because he now appeared to be completely sober.

“You know, you don’t have to call me sir. Damon is just fine.”

“Thank you, Sir.” She blushed. “There I go again. It’s just… well, you’re a Daddy and I’m a Little.”