She nodded. “When you fuss over what I’m eating or whether I’m taking my vitamin or looking after myself. Holding my pinkie all night because you know touch helps keep the nightmares away. Or washing my hair because you know I can’t.”
“I like washing your hair. And brushing it.” He’d dried it with the hairdryer before brushing it out and braiding it. She actually hadn’t felt that cared for in a long, long time.
So yeah, she knew.
“Maybe I could give you a hug. Just a quick one,” she whispered.
“All right,” he agreed. She leaned in and hugged him really quickly, wrapping her arms around his neck while he awkwardly patted her back.
It was short. But it was enough.
“I’m sorry I was naughty, Wolfie,” she said, leaning back. Her bottom throbbed but it definitely wasn’t unbearable. She had a feeling he’d been careful with her.
“No more running or I’ll go back to carrying you everywhere. And no skipping vitamins or trying to get Aleki on your side. That’s not how this works.”
That was actually what she felt the worst about.
“I’m sorry. I’ll try not to do that. I’m learning. This is kind of a lot.”
“Tell me about it.”
She stared at him for a moment then started giggling. His face softened and he brushed a strand of hair back off her face. “From now on, I do your hair.”
“All the time?”
“Yes. I enjoy it. It’s relaxing.”
She softened. “All right. I can deal with that.”
“Now, how is your arm?” he asked briskly. “Is it hurting? Do you need painkillers? I need to make you a protein drink.” She let him dress her again as he muttered about her care and health.
Yeah, cuddles were important. But she could wait until he was comfortable with that level of intimacy.
Even if it took forever.
She looked around for Aleki, expecting to see him back in the kitchen. She frowned when she saw he’d disappeared. She was worried about him. Something felt off. Plus, she felt like she wasn’t getting as much time with him as she was with Caleb and Wolfe.
She needed to rectify that.
29
Vivi stood outside Caleb’s office door. She’d thought they weren’t meant to work while they got to know each other. But she guessed he had things he had to attend to.
She didn’t want to interrupt him if he was doing something important. She bit her lip worriedly. It wasn’t like she couldn’t wait.
After her spanking, Wolfe had made her a protein drink and a snack, which she’d done her best to eat, before he’d gone off to adjust something on her schedule.
He was nuts. But it seemed she kind of liked crazy.
But she was concerned about Aleki, and when she was worried or unsure about something there was always one person that made her feel better.
The door opened suddenly and she gasped, jumping. Ouch. That didn’t help her sore foot.
&n
bsp; “Shit, baby, you okay? I didn’t mean to scare you.” Caleb reached for her, holding her steady.
“Ahh, yeah, you just caught me by surprise. Sorry. Don’t tell Wolfe I did that!”