Chapter Fourteen

“I pass out a lot,” Ella said with a groan.

She was speaking to herself. Only a moment later did she become aware that Bryan was standing over her. She realized she wasn’t in her own cabin, either.

“The good news is this time it wasn’t from anxiety,” he said. “The bad news is you were three sheets to the wind. And that’s the proper medical term.”

She laughed. Surprisingly, it didn’t hurt. She’d expected to have a headache, but thankfully, it was so far absent. She sat up. “I’m in your cabin.”

“Don’t worry,” he said. “I kept to myself and didn’t do anything weird.”

“I know you wouldn’t be creepy.” She looked around. “Your cabin’s a lot bigger than mine.”

“I’m a doctor,” he said with a shrug.

“Hey!” She laughed as she tossed a pillow at him.

Once the playful banter had died down, Bryan said, “Do you want to talk about why you chugged champagne last night?”

“Because we’re on a cruise and I was in the mood for some fun,” she lied.

He didn’t buy it. The look in his eyes told her that much.

He gave her another few moments. Soon it became evident she wasn’t going to offer more, so he changed the subject.

“Do you want breakfast?”

“Sure.”

“Want a bath first?”

“You have a tub in here?”

“Like you said, my cabin is bigger than yours.” He jerked his head toward a chair near the bed. Some of her things were there, including the toys she’d bought yesterday. “You grabbed some of your stuff when we went back to your room.”

She scratched her head. “We went back to my room?”

“Uh-huh. After you came to. Just to get a few things. You were insistent on getting your stuffie, those toys, and some diapers.”

She blushed hard. She wondered what all she’d said to the man. Hopefully nothing too embarrassing.

“Since you wanted those toys so bad I figured you’d want to take a bath. Now’s your chance.”

It hadn’t been on her mind, but it did sound lovely.

“Do you need help?” he asked.

She grew tense. He’d seen her naked before. Or partly naked. She had worn her bra during the exam yesterday, but he saw the rest when he’d put the diaper on her.

The thought of undressing in his presence was more than a little thrilling. She wanted him to be naked, too. Mmm. Now that would be fun!

But she remembered that skinny blond from yesterday.

Ella couldn’t compare to that woman, and she knew it.

“I’m fine,” she said.

“You sure?”

“Yeah,” she said. Though she wasn’t sure.

A few minutes later, she found herself in the unexpectedly large bathroom, partly submerged in the deep, bubbly tub full of warm water.

Unlike the tiny bathroom in her cabin, this one had a window. She was giggly as she watched the ocean go by. It was so serene and vast. It made her feel small.

She took a moment to play with the bath toys, smiling as she fell deeper into Little Space.

A moment later, there was a knock on the door.

“Yeah?” she said.

“Are you all good in there?”

“Uh-huh.”

“Are you getting good and clean?”

“Yes, Daddy.” She giggled louder and covered her mouth. “Sorry. That just kinda slipped.”

“No need to be sorry. You can call me whatever you want. We’ll talk more about that later.”

Ella grew excited. Were they going to have the talk? The let’s define the relationship talk?

“If you don’t remember going to your room, I’m guessing you don’t remember running into Captain Reagan and Nelly.”

Ella thought about it and shook her head. She absentmindedly built a tower of bubbles in front of her, smiling at the growing white foam. “Nope. Don’t remember at all.”

“Well, Nelly asked if you wanted to ride go-karts with her today. We’re docking on an island that has a killer track. You up for it?”

Playing with another Little sounded amazing! She’d been hoping to make friends on that cruise. Maybe this was her big chance.

“I’d love to!” she said.

She chewed on the inside of her cheek as she considered her next words. “Bryan?”

“Yes, honey?”

“Would you put me in a diapee after my bath.”

She couldn’t see him on the other side of the door, but she could hear the smile when he spoke.

“Oh, cutie. Nothing would make me happier.”