Chapter 10
Chapter Ten
When yawns stretched Tiffanie’s jaw again in the early evening, Phineas knew she needed to go to bed. He didn’t want her to leave. This time with her was precious.
“Princess, you’re getting sleepy. Would you like to stay here tonight or shall I take you back to the carriage house?”
“I could stay here?”
“Of course. I’ll phone Ivan to tell him you’re fine and resting.”
“He’ll worry if I don’t return to the carriage house.”
Phineas brushed her hair back from her face. “You get to make decisions, Little girl. Ivan has supported you tremendously, but he’s aware you’re an adult.”
That suggestion surprised her. “You’re right. I’m an adult. I’ll call him. That is if you’re sure you’d like me to sleep here.”
“I’d keep you here permanently if I could, Princess.”
“Why?”
“Why would I want you with me?” he asked.
“Yes. I mean, I’m not a lot of fun these days,” Tiffanie said, glancing away as her mouth turned downward.
Phineas cupped her chin, raising her gaze to mesh with his. “I’ve had an amazing time with you. I’ve cherished every moment you’ve spent with me. We don’t have to play flag football in the backyard just to have fun.”
The corners of her mouth twitched upward in amusement. “Flag football?”
“Full contact seemed a bit much,” he teased.
“Let me talk to Ivan.”
“Okay. Would you like me to give you some privacy, Princess?”
“Do you mind?”
“Not at all. I’ll go start a bubble bath for you.”
“Oh, that sounds lovely.”
Phineas grabbed her phone from the coffee table and handed the device to her.
He kissed her lightly before exiting the room.
Following through on his plan, he turned on the water in the tub and adjusted the temperature to be warm but not too hot.
He grabbed the bubble bath he’d stocked months ago under the sink and poured some of the lavender-scented mixture into the tub before setting the bottle on the edge.
If he had his way, his Little girl would soak here often.
A knock on the doorframe drew his attention to the waif-like figure who stood there. “Ivan wants to speak to you.”
“Okay. Why don’t you go potty while I talk to your brother.”
She nodded and hesitated.
He removed the phone gently from her. “Go, Princess. I’ll be back in a minute.”
When she disappeared, he walked through the bedroom into the hall to get away from the rushing water filling the tub. “Ivan, I’ll take care of her.”
“I know you will. She’s got some medicine that she should have in the morning. Tiffanie doesn’t like the taste. She’ll try to skip it.”
“I’ll make sure she gets the right dose.”
“Want me to set the container on your doorstep?”
“Tiffanie will need clothes. We’ll come tomorrow morning.”
“Sounds like you’re planning to keep her.”
Phineas could hear the concern in Ivan’s voice. “Only if she wishes to stay, Ivan.”
“Gotcha. Sorry, worried older brother,” Ivan admitted.
“Take the night off. Go meet some friends. I’ve got this.”
“Phineas, she’s special and has had a tough time.”
“Thank you for caring so diligently for her, Ivan. Having both of us can only help, right?”
A moment of silence followed before Ivan said, “She deserves all the support. I’m glad you’ve connected, Phineas.”
“Me too. Here’s my phone number in case you need it.”
With that information exchanged, the two men hung up. Phineas returned to the bathroom. He smiled at Tiffanie, who hovered in the doorway. “Ready for your bath?”
“Is everything okay?”
“Perfect.” Phineas shut off the water before the bubbles could overflow.
“Oh, good. I was afraid he’d give you the third degree. Ivan hovers a lot. Don’t get me wrong, Ivan is my rock. I’ve relied on him so much.”
“I’m glad he’s been there for you, Princess. Now you have two people in your corner.”
Tiffanie nodded and waved a hand at the tub. “This looks heavenly. I can’t wait to get in.”
“Let’s get you undressed and in the tub.” Phineas stepped close.
“I can do it,” she said.
“You could, but I’m here to help. You’re tired. Let’s save as much of your energy as possible.”
“I’m not…. I’m not attractive anymore.”
“You are absolutely beautiful now, Little girl.”
“But….”
“Trust me, Princess. You are very special to me, Tiffanie. Let me take care of you.”
After another brief pause, she whispered, “Thank you.”
“There’s my Little girl.”
Phineas lifted the bottom of her T-shirt over her head and tugged her leggings down.
She was rail thin—the hollows of her body too pronounced.
He stroked her skin lightly, and Tiffanie leaned into his caress.
How long had it been since someone had caressed her?
Phineas lavished soft touches and sweet words on her.
“You are lovely, Princess.” He drew her panties down to meet her leggings and helped her step out of the garments.
A couple of pink, healing incision marks revealed she’d had some kind of laparoscopic surgery months ago.
He dismissed those as he scanned her. Phineas’s cock jerked in his pants as he revealed her blonde adult curls.
Get yourself under control.
“My skin is so dry. I look like I have snakeskin covering me.” Her voice distracted him.
“Daddy will rub some gentle lotion into your skin after your bath.” Phineas stood and walked around her to unfasten the clasp of her bra.
“That sounds heavenly.”
“Let me help you into the tub, Princess.” While concerned by the boniness of her frame, Phineas didn’t allow any negativity into his expression. Even in her thin state, Tiffanie’s beauty drew him as well as further ignited his desire to care for her.
Tiffanie settled into the warm water with a sigh of delight. She gathered the suds to her chest as she ran her fingers through the silky liquid. “This is the best.”
Phineas grabbed a washcloth and rubbed the wet material over her back. She rounded her shoulders, silently asking him to continue. Bringing her pleasure made him happy. She deserves the best.
He moved on to wash her back and neck. After pressing a kiss to the curve of her jaw, Phineas lifted one of her arms from the water.
Starting at her fingers, he cleaned every inch of her skin, massaging her lightly.
When she sagged slightly in the water, he wrapped an arm around her shoulders and suggested, “Why not relax against the back of the tub?”
“It’s always cold,” she whispered, shivering slightly at the mere thought of touching the porcelain.
“I’ve got the solution.” Phineas grabbed a thick towel from the rack and folded the fabric carefully to create a cushion for her head and shoulders. “Let’s try this.”
She hesitated. “I’ll get the material wet.”
“That’s the sole purpose of a towel. Let me worry about details like that, Little girl.”
Tiffanie nodded and relaxed against the cushioning. “Oh, that’s incredible.”
“I’m glad.”
Refocusing on her bath, Phineas washed her other arm before whisking the washcloth over her collarbones. Her watchful gaze fixed on his face as he stroked lower. Was she afraid he’d find her wanting? Phineas allowed her to see the desire in his eyes. The corners of her mouth curved up.
“So pretty,” he complimented as he swirled the material over her small breasts, loving the catch in her breath.
He forced himself to continue bathing her, realizing that her energy would vanish completely if he dallied too long. He paid attention to her flat tummy and shifted down to her small mound.
“I haven’t shaved recently,” she blurted out.
“I don’t care, Princess. I’m a grown-ass man. My legs are hairier than yours. If you’d like me to, I’ll be glad to take care of that for you next time.”
“Really? You’d do that for me?”
“You’ll figure out quickly I’ll do just about anything for you, Little girl. Spread your legs for me.”
She hesitated, and an adorable blush colored her cheeks. Slowly, she inched her thighs apart.
“Good girl.” Steeling himself from lingering, Phineas cleaned her pink folds and between her buttocks.
He lectured himself about reining in his desire as he touched her so intimately.
The dwindling suds allowed him to catch precious glimpses of her most private areas.
Her quick breaths told him she wasn’t immune to his touch.
Despite his ironclad control, his body reacted.
His cock threatened to push a hole through his jeans.
Phineas forced himself to leave her most intimate spaces to focus on her legs and feet. Her muscles quivered as he washed her. He loved that she was so responsive to his stroking caresses. She submitted to his touch so beautifully, enchanting him.
Finishing, Phineas scanned up her sweet curves, finding her eyelashes resting on her cheeks with that tiny smile curving her lips. She appeared completely relaxed and happy. He memorized this moment. This was what he wanted for the rest of her life.
“You forgot my face, Daddy. Do you want me to do it?” she asked without opening her eyes.
“Thank you for reminding me, Princess. Daddy will take care of you.” He grabbed a fresh washcloth and shifted closer to the end of the tub. Gently, he cleaned her face before patting her skin dry.
A yawn stretched her mouth, urging him to tuck his Little girl into bed. “Time to get out, Tiffanie. Let Daddy help you stand.”
“Really? The water is still sort of warm.”
“I’ll bathe you often. I promise.” Phineas stood and scooped his arms into the tub to lift her out of the lingering suds.
Sighing as if horribly put out, Tiffanie wrapped her arms around his neck. “That was great, Daddy.”
“I’m glad you enjoyed it. Let’s get you dried off so you can curl up in bed.
” He set Tiffanie on her feet and gently whisked the moisture from her.
He took a few minutes to smooth lotion over her skin and loved hearing her sighs of appreciation as he soothed her dryness.
Wrapping a fresh towel around Tiffanie, he scooped his Little girl into his arms.
“Would you like to sleep in Daddy’s bed or in your crib, Princess?”
An enchanting rush of color hit her cheeks. “Daddy’s bed.”