Chapter 10

CHAPTER 10

" L et's get you cleaned up for bed, little girl," Jerico said softly as he sat her on the bed.

"I want to see the end of the movie," she fussed, rubbing her eyes.

"It's all over now, Aspen. We'll rewatch it again sometime. Okay?"

"Okay, Daddy."

"Arms up," he instructed as he pulled her T-shirt over her head. She slumped back against him as soon as he'd finished.

"Such a tired baby," he crooned and unfastened her jeans before lifting Aspen to her feet to strip off that garment and her panties. In a short time, he had her completely undressed. Stripping off his clothing as well, he turned back to find her curled up in a ball.

"Shower time," Jerico announced as he picked her back up in his arms.

"I don't want to shower. You said it was time to go to sleep."

"I know. I promise you'll sleep better when you're clean. Daddy will give you a bath when you come home from now on and you can wear your nightgown until bedtime."

"Okay."

She shied away from the warm water as he walked into the spray but soon relaxed against him. "I can stand."

"I know you can." Jerico set her feet on the tile and stayed close to support her as she swayed. Quickly, he washed her, keeping his touch clinical.

"You touched me better than that last night."

"I know, Aspen. I'll make love to you again. Just not when you're too sleepy to know what's happening."

"Okay."

He couldn't help but smile as she repeated that one word again. Aspen was nothing if not amenable, as he made sure her body was clean and then suds free.

"Let me wash your face and it will be time for bed, Aspen."

She sputtered when he turned her to face the water, but cooperated, muttering afterward, "You drowned me, Daddy."

"I'll get a washcloth next time, little girl," he promised as he wrapped her in a thirsty towel and dried the moisture from her skin. He smoothed the cloth over the few wisps of damp hair around her face and finger combed them into place.

"Okay."

He wrapped his arms around her, loving the feel of her soft skin against him and her own personal scent. Stabilizing her, he slung a towel around his waist before lifting her into his arms and heading back into the main bedroom.

"I like it when you carry me, Daddy."

Jerico kissed her forehead before setting her on the bed. He turned to grab her nightshirt, saying, "Let's get this on you, and you can go to bed."

"Silly Daddy. I'm already in bed," Aspen told him, curling up on the pillow.

Revamping his plans, he tossed the nightshirt on the bedside table and concentrated on getting her tucked into bed. Despite her sleepy protests, Jerico got her under the covers. She was snoring softly before he even rounded the bed.

He glanced at the clock to see it was just after eight. Way too early for him to go to bed, but he wanted to be close to her. He could always plot out his next request for team funding stretched out in bed.

Jerico left the room with a backward glance that almost caused him to trip over Rexy at the door. He'd have to remember the dog always wanted to be close.

"Sorry, Rexy," he whispered as he lurched over the dog.

When he'd double-checked all the doors and turned off the lights, Jerico headed back to the bedroom. Aspen had moved into the center of the mattress. Now her hand rested on the comforter stretched toward his side of the bed as if she were searching for him.

Don't read so much into it.

Her reaction to setting up rules and consequences had revealed her fear and unreadiness to trust him that much. He'd known making things concrete would frighten her. It was easier to run away than open yourself up completely. Jerico vowed to show her she could allow herself to live her fantasies without hesitation.

After straightening the bathroom and hanging up his towel, Jerico returned to check on Aspen. He found her scooted over a bit more to use his pillow. Rexy had inched his way through the doorway as well and now lay next to Aspen's empty side of the bed. He's going to be stealing all the covers soon.

Smiling at that thought, Jerico slid into bed, taking up the small space Aspen had left him. Immediately, she sighed, "Daddy" and snuggled up against him. Jerico slid his arms around her and held her even closer. He set the alarm clock on his wrist by feel alone. After years of military deployments, he would wake up before the signal went off, but it was insurance if this sweet armful distracted his brain.

Soft kisses on his chest woke Jerico. He blinked open his eyes immediately, on edge as he assessed the threat level.

"Daddy?" Aspen whispered in concern.

"Sorry, little girl. You surprised me. A wonderful surprise," he added to smooth over his reaction. Stroking a hand over her hair, he tangled his fingers in the silken tresses to tilt her head up so he could capture her lips.

Desire flared between them, and instantly Jerico's body responded. He groaned into her mouth when she squirmed forward to plaster her nude body against his. He ripped his mouth from hers as she stroked a hand down his spine.

"You should go back to sleep, Aspen."

"I can't. It's all your fault."

"My fault?"

"I woke up, and you were all pressed against me. Immediately, I remembered last night, and I was totally awake."

"I see. What do you think would get you back to sleep? It's too early."

"Well, I thought maybe…"

"I like the way you think, Aspen. I have a feeling I'll like the way you taste as well."

"Taste?" she echoed in confusion.

Jerico kissed her hard. As their tongues wrapped around each other, he trailed a fingertip down the centerline of her body and felt her reaction. His little girl liked this idea. She turned eagerly onto her back as he shifted to loom over her and settled his pelvis between her thighs.

Lifting his mouth from hers, Jerico trailed kisses along her jawline and down the sensitive cord of her neck. He nipped at that spot that drove her crazy at the curve onto her shoulder as he cupped one rounded breast in his hand. Continuing his path, he drew his tongue over her breastbone and paused between Aspen's breasts to caress her.

He pulled one nipple firmly into his mouth. As she wiggled below him, Jerico lashed his tongue across her nipple. Her quick inhale when he nipped at the rosy tip told him everything he needed to know. His little girl responded to a taste of pain. He looked forward to spanking her. Aspen would hate it even as her body responded fully to the punishment.

"Such a perfect little girl," he whispered against her skin and felt her fingers tighten on his shoulders.

Jerico inhaled deeply as he reached her silky adult hair. Her sweet scent beckoned him. He ruffled his fingers through the sparse curls and told her, "Daddy will shave this off tomorrow. You will be so sensitive."

Glancing up over her beautiful form, he saw her bite her lip and nod.

"Good girl," he praised her and rewarded Aspen by lightly tracing the cleft of her pussy downward.

He raised his finger to his lips and tasted her sweet juices. "I need more."

Jerico lowered his mouth to her mound and pressed a single kiss against her before trailing his tongue along the seam of her pussy. Aspen moved her thighs apart for him. He placed a hand under each bent knee and pushed them up and to the side to display her fully to his gaze.

Celebrating his excellent night vision, Jerico memorized the beauty in front of him. He didn't delay too long before pressing his mouth to her inner thigh, coated with her juices. She shivered as he licked her sensitive skin.

Allowing his lips to brush across her lower lips, Jerico shifted his mouth and glided his tongue through her pink folds. She froze immediately, as if afraid that he would stop if she moved. Smiling against her, Jerico knew that abandoning this prize was damned unlikely unless the roof collapsed on top of them.

He circled the inner rim of her opening with his tongue before dipping inside to explore her tight channel. Her hand brushed over his buzzed haircut.

"Please."

"I know, little one. It's important to play a bit every day," he lectured her, knowing that the words would fly over her head but leave a mark on her memory. He planned to take his own advice.

Lowering his mouth back to her, Jerico swirled his tongue around that small bundle of nerves above her entrance. Her thighs tensed under his touch and he smiled against her. She was so responsive. Sealing his lips around the small bud, he sucked gently and heard her quick inhale.

Without pausing his efforts, Jerico lifted her leg to drape over his shoulder to free up his hand. He stroked his fingers through her wetness and pressed two fingers deep inside her tight passage. His cock jerked at the memory of those velvet walls gripping him so tightly. He distracted himself from his own desires by searching for those responsive spots deep inside her she enjoyed. As he touched one, a high keening sound escaped from her lips and her hips rose to push against him.

One .

He gentled his touch but continued to enjoy her as she spasmed around his fingers. When her breathing smoothed out, he renewed his efforts. Her body responded immediately, and he felt the tension rebuilding inside her.

"Daddy? Make love to me," she pleaded.

"I am. Daddy's in charge."

"But…" she wailed.

Jerico didn't respond. He simply focused his efforts on her pleasure. This time, as her body tensed, he trailed his fingers down to her small entrance. Tapping it, he pressed one fingertip into the tight ring of muscles.

"Nooo!" she protested.

Not hesitating, Jerico pushed further inside. "Daddy's in charge," he reminded her again before thrashing his tongue across her clit.

Immediately, she responded and exploded in a massive burst of pleasure that rocked her body. Her fingers bit into his shoulders and he knew she held on to tether herself to him. He enjoyed being the stability in her world. Jerico realized he always wanted to have this position in her life.

Two.

"No more, Daddy," she pleaded.

"One more and then you'll sleep, little girl."

He scooped up a bit of her juices and applied the slick fluid to that smaller entrance. This time, he teased the opening as he nibbled and licked her inner labia. When Aspen began to meet his shallow forays inside by lifting her hips, Jerico replaced one fingertip with two and pressed further inside. Stretching her, he suspected the small bite of pain would push her into a climax rapidly.

"Ahhhh!" she screamed into the room as her body arched toward him.

Three.

After extending her pleasure for as long as possible, Jerico removed his fingers and shifted himself upward. He held her against him until her breath settled. Easing himself away from her, Jerico warmed the water in the bathroom sink as he washed his hands and dampened a washcloth. When he returned, she was on the brink of sleep. He wiped her juices from her skin and tossed the cloth into the hamper.

Sliding back into bed, he loved her instinctive move to snuggle against him. She pressed a sleepy kiss on his chest before giving in and tumbling back into dreams. Her hold on him never weakened.

Jerico quieted his mind and slept with the skilled ability of a trained soldier. His dreams, however, were of one adorable woman.