Chapter 13
The next morning, Honey scanned the family room and laughed.
Three bottles of water sat on the end table next to her along with an apple, a box of crackers, and a jar of peanut butter in case she got hungry or thirsty before he came back at lunch.
Razor had unpacked her suitcases and stowed her things in the closet and in the drawers of his bedroom chest.
They’d practiced a bit on the knee scooter. Honey couldn’t say she was comfortable on it, but she could use it if she moved slowly and needed to get to the bathroom. Who knew they made those? Razor. He thought of everything.
Her phone blasted the special ringtone Razor had programmed into her device for himself. “Hi, Daddy. I’m fine.”
“I’m glad, Honey. I’m at the clinic now. Menace is at the gate today if you need anything.”
“I’ll be okay. Beatrice and I are going to watch something on TV and relax. And yes, I have my foot on the pillows.”
“That’s my girl. I’ll see you at lunch. Call if you need me.”
“Go heal someone, Daddy.” She heard someone shout his name in the background. The Devil Daddies seemed like an accident-prone bunch.
“Got to go. Be good, Honey.”
She stared at the blank screen before shrugging. What else could she do? Honey wrinkled her nose at her hurt ankle. It was better today but still tender. Thank goodness she didn’t have to make it in for work.
“Ahh!” she screamed when her phone blared again in her hand. Honey looked down to see a name displayed. “Thomas Hendrick?” The company president was calling her? How had she warranted his attention?
Torn between apprehension and excitement, she accepted the call. “Hello?”
“Honey, this is Thomas Hendrick.”
“Good morning, sir.”
“I would like to check on your health and to talk to you about your position at the factory.”
“My health?” she repeated, instantly on guard. She’d fiercely protected her privacy and hadn’t spoken to anyone about her MS at work.
“The receptionist at the front door reported you’d hurt yourself. I reviewed the footage of your exit and became quite concerned. Have you received medical care?”
“Yes. A doctor…. A doctor friend X-rayed it. A bad sprain only,” she reported as her mind whirled. He’d worried about her? What was going on here?
“I’m glad. The factory will cover your expenses, and I’ve made sure your insurance is still in effect,” Mr. Hendrick assured her.
“I’m afraid I don’t have a position there anymore. Mr. Reynolds fired me yesterday,” she said, ashamed. Honey had never lost a job.
“Al Reynolds is no longer with the company. After HR received your email documentation of harassment and mismanagement, they contacted me. That was the final straw in a long line of negative reports about your former boss. They are reviewing all the pay deductions noted, and those monies will be returned to you with additional funds for interest.”
“That’s very generous, sir,” she said, a tremor in her voice as she tried to digest his words. Thomas Hendrick had fired his own son-in-law?
“In talking to everyone you’ve worked with over the years, I’ve learned you are the reason for any profits coming from that office.
I’d like to offer you the position that is now open as the head of the department along with a sizeable raise to match the increased responsibilities I gather you are already handling. ”
“I…. I don’t know what to say, Mr. Hendrick.”
“Say you’ll take the new position. I’d like you to take two weeks off to rest your injuries. Paid, of course.”
“I’ve already used some of my vacation days this year, sir,” Honey admitted.
“This is not coming out of your leave, Ms. Rhoades. Can we make an appointment to meet?” he asked, naming the Monday two weeks away.
“I think I’d like that,” Honey agreed.
A few minutes later, she stared at the quiet phone in her hands. What just happened? She glanced over at Beatrice and picked up the stuffie that had slid onto the seat next to her. “Did you hear that?”
The bee’s dark eyes stared back at her. Honey guessed Beatrice was as stumped by the recent turn of events as she was. “Let’s call Daddy.”
A couple of hours later, Razor drove a spare motorcycle from Lucien’s fleet into the compound, nodding to Menace as he passed.
He’d left his beloved bike at the Devil Daddies’ shop for some revamping.
Changing his bike from a one-man ride to a vehicle that could transport Honey as well had become a priority. In a few days, he’d have it back.
Pulling into his driveway, Razor parked the fast-but-slightly-battered bike in the garage.
Home sweet home. Razor laughed as he stripped off his helmet.
Funny how this cabin now felt like home instead of only a place to sleep.
Grinning, he unstrapped the cake he had grabbed from Inferno’s kitchen for their celebration.
He opened the kitchen door, expecting to see Honey settled on the couch where he had left her. To his surprise, the room was empty. Razor set the cake on the coffee table and followed the faint sound of off-key singing coming from down the hallway.
Quietly turning the knob on the closed bathroom door, Razor had an inkling his Little girl had gotten herself into big trouble. Careful to keep his expression solemn, he took in the scene before him as she scrambled to sweep bubbles to her chest. “How did you settle into the tub, Little girl?”
“Carefully?”
“Not a good answer,” he said, lowering himself to his knees next to the tub. “I would have helped you take a bath if you’d wanted one.”
“Razor….”
“Daddy,” he interrupted.
“Daddy, I have to do things myself. What if I can’t climb in here in the future? I want to enjoy everything I can.”
He stared at her beautiful eyes filled with tears. “I’m sorry, Honey. Daddies make mistakes too. I hope I can always count on you cluing me in when I screw up.”
She raised the soft sponge he’d set earlier on the edge of the tub and offered it to him. “Maybe you could help me now? I never can get my back.”
Razor nodded and accepted it. “I would love to, Little girl.” Dipping it into the water, he stroked the wet cloth over her skin.
“That’s so good, Daddy.”
“I’m glad. Did you hurt yourself sliding into the tub?”
“No. I wheeled in here, sat on the side, and swung my legs over one at a time. The warm water soothes my ankle.”
“That was a smart way to do it. Did you think about hauling yourself out of the bathtub?” he asked.
Her expression changed, revealing the thoughts racing through her mind. She hadn’t planned that far ahead. “You could help me out?”
“Of course, I will.”
Razor finished her back and stroked the washcloth over her shoulder. He lifted her hand out of the water and washed her arm and hand. Honey moaned at the delightful feel of his fingers massaging hers. He seemed to sense exactly where her tension coiled.
“That’s amazing, Daddy. I’d pay money for a hand treatment like this.”
“No cash needed. Daddies charge in kisses.”
“I have lots of those,” she rushed to assure him.
“Now, that makes me happy,” he said and winked at her.
When he reached across to glide his hand down her arm to repeat his treatment on the other side, Honey pressed her lips to his cheek.
He responded by turning his head to kiss her mouth.
Instant heat flared between them. Honey squirmed on the bottom of the tub and gasped when she banged her foot on the porcelain.
“Are you okay, Little girl?” Razor asked after stabilizing her.
“Ouch, Daddy.” Honey couldn’t help pushing her bottom lip out slightly as she pouted at her injured foot.
Steeling his features to avoid revealing how damn cute she was, Razor told her, “Glaring at it won’t make your ankle heal faster, Little girl.”
“Do you have a magic wand? Don’t they give those to doctors?”
“No, sweetheart. Only fairies and witches get magic wands. Unfortunately, I’m neither of those things.”
“You could be a wizard,” she suggested.
“But I’m not. I’m a boring doctor who knows you will heal in a couple of weeks if you stay off your ankle and let it rest.”
She sighed heavily and nodded. “Got it. I’m screwed for days on end.”
Unable to maintain his stern look, Razor grinned and then nodded. “That could be arranged.”
“Daddy!”
Charmed by her Littleness, Razor kissed her forehead before suggesting, “Let’s get you out of the bathtub. It’s time for lunch and then a nap.”
“I don’t nap,” she protested.
“You do now. Resting supports the healing process.”
“Really? Sleeping is going to make my ankle feel better?” she asked skeptically.
“Yes.” Without further explanation, Razor leaned closer, sliding his hands around her nude form.
Squealing, Honey wrapped her arms around his neck to hold on as water splashed over him, drenching his shirt. “Daddy! You’re all wet!”
“So are you, Little girl,” he reminded her as he tugged a thick towel off the nearby rod. He spread it over the vanity and set her bottom down on the soft material.
Exposed completely in the bright light of the bathroom, Honey covered her breasts as she leaned forward to hide.
His body responded immediately to her beautiful form even as he corrected her behavior. “Sit up straight, Honey,” Razor instructed as he grabbed another towel.
Heat radiated from his gaze as he dried her skin. He bolstered her confidence, but she battled believing his attraction to her. She searched for an excuse. “I… I’m cold.”
“Hmmm…,” Razor said, sounding doubtful as he rubbed the terrycloth over her skin to soak up the moisture on her skin.
“You’re wet. Aren’t you chilled?” Honey went all in, sticking with her excuse.
“Nope. Just damp.” Razor wrapped the towel around her shoulders and stepped back to rip his T-shirt over his head. He threw it away to land on the tiled floor with a wet splat.
Damn! Honey loved the sight of Razor’s honed body. She’d seen him naked several times, but this view never got old. She wiggled on the stubble of the towel below her, enjoying the intimate friction. Dropping her gaze lower, she could see his cock pressing against his jeans.