I nod slowly. “Well, I suspected both of those things, so they aren’t on my list. But I would like you to consider my requests carefully and not shoot me down before I even have a chance to finish my sentence. Human women have feelings. You will hurt mine if you don’t think carefully about what I’m saying before you start shaking your head.”

“Okay, Baby girl. I promise.”

“I’d like five things.”

He swallows, looking concerned.

I bravely plow forward. “First, I’d like you to take me to your office and show me what you do for work. You’ve never mentioned it, and I’m curious.”

He smiles. “I’m more than happy to do that.”

“Second…” I hesitate. My list is all over the place, and I hope he doesn’t think it’s madness. “I’d like you to restrain me to the changing table, remove my diaper, and use that evil clamp on my nipples one at a time until the pain chases away some of my self-loathing.”

His eyes widen, and he blinks. “Really?”

“Yes. I’ve craved that sharp pain ever since Dankin introduced me to it. I want to feel it again.”

He licks his lips. For a moment, I worry he’s going to turn me down, but then he nods. “I can do that, Baby girl.” His voice is gravelly, and he shifts his weight. I hope that means the concept excites him.

“Third, that clamp is going to make me come harder than I ever have in my life because my arousal has been steadily growing ever since I woke up two weeks ago. After that first orgasm subsides, I’d like you to fuck me clear into tomorrow.” No sense sugarcoating it.

He chuckles. “Done.” He’s starting to relax. I’m guessing he’s less worried about the rest of my list.

“Fourth, while my nipples are still sore from the clamp, can we go get them pierced?”

He’s taken aback. “Today?”

“Yes.” I chew on my bottom lip.

He narrows his gaze. “Coincidentally, I’ve already chosen the perfect stones for you and had the hoops made.”

I grin. “Really?”

“Yes. Ekert came by a few days ago while you were sleeping. I’ll call him and make sure he’s available this afternoon. If he is, we can go. However, I do want you to approve the stones I chose. They will dangle from your pretty nipples for the rest of your life. It’s important that you love them. If you don’t like them, we’ll pick different ones, and Ekert can reset them.”

I smile broader. I can’t believe he’s willing to accept my input on this topic. I’m beyond shocked. “I will love them.”

He narrows his gaze. “You don’t even know what color they are.”

I shake my head. “It doesn’t matter. If you selected them, I will love them. I know you put a lot of thought into choosing what you wanted for me, and that’s all that matters. Whatever you chose is exactly perfect, and I will cherish them for the rest of my life.”

Papi actually looks choked up. All he can do is nod and kiss my fingers again before rubbing my knuckles back and forth across his lips. Eventually, he whispers, “You said you had five requests. What’s the last one?”

“I want to see Mia. I’m ready. I promise I’ll be good.”

He drops my hand so he can lean over and kiss me, a sensual deep kiss on my lips that lasts for several minutes and leaves me breathless. When he breaks contact, he says, “I love you so much, Ava.”

I smile. I’m finally able to return that sentiment. “I love you, too, Papi.”

Chapter Fifteen

Ganrax

I unbuckle my Little girl and scoop her up in my arms. “Let’s see. First stop, my office.” I kiss all over her face as I settle her on my hip so she’s upright.

I love the way she giggles. “I bet I can walk.”

I shake my head and groan. “That wasn’t on your list. Let’s not give Papi a heart attack, okay? We can save walking for tomorrow. Today’s list is super long.”

She giggles again and sets her cheek on my shoulder. “Okay, Papi.”

Thank the heavens. I can’t believe how well this is going. I step up to the closed door of my office and hesitate.

“Are you nervous about me knowing what you do for work?” she asks.

“Very.”

She cups my face with both hands. “Why? Are you a secret spy for the government?”

I chuckle. “Hmm. Sometimes.”

Her eyes widen.

I laugh again. “Only in fiction.” I open the door and step into my favorite space in the world. Well, it was my favorite until I added a nursery and then a mate. Now that room is my new favorite, but this one is a close second.

Her eyes widen and she gasps. “What… Are you a graphic designer like me?”

I shake my head, but I can see why she would think that since there are giant prints of book covers on the walls and all over the room. “Nope. I don’t have an eye for art. I’m a science fiction author. I hire other people to do the art.” I pull in a deep breath. “Maybe you’d be interested in designing my covers…”

She inhales sharply and faces me, not blinking before she wraps her tiny arms around my neck and squeezes me tightly. “Really? You’d let me do that?”

“Of course. But only if it’s something you’d like to do.”

She bounces on my hip. “Papi, I would love to do that! I’d be honored.”

I wrap a hand around her hip to steady her. “Be careful with that arm, Little one. I don’t want you to bonk it into anything and reinjure it.”

She lifts it. “It’s fine, Papi. It doesn’t hurt at all. I think you fixed it with your weird serum.”

“I assume my serum helps, but let’s not take chances.” I lift a brow.

“Yes, Papi. I’ll be careful. When can I read your books?”

I chuckle. “Would you like to do that instead of the rest of your list today?”

She shakes her head, sending her pigtails flying. “Not a chance. I’ll start reading tomorrow.”

I brush a lock of hair from her face as I back out of the room. I started putting her hair in curly pigtails several days ago. She’s never said a word about whether or not she likes them, but until an hour ago, she wasn’t speaking to me in full sentences.