Angelina Read online

  “That’s my neighbor across the hall. I don’t know his name, but he drinks a lot,” Angelina shared with Paul. “Could you walk me to my door? He scares me a little.”

  Paul told Angelina to stay in the car until he opened her door. Paul helped Angelina with her seatbelt and held her hand as she got out of the car. Walking together up to the building, Paul positioned himself between Angelina and the intoxicated man. He was prepared for trouble.

  “Hey, little girl. I was wondering when you’d get home. Who’s this? Your Daddy?” the neighbor bellowed at them.

  Paul guided Angelina around the man telling her just to ignore him. She clung to his hand.

  “What? You too good to talk to me, little girl? If you need a Daddy, I’ll be glad to be your man,” the neighbor said belligerently. He swung a hand up and grabbed Paul’s shoulder spinning him around.

  Angelina couldn’t tell you what happened next exactly. The minute that man had touched Paul, he swung into a perfectly coordinated reaction. Paul dropped her hand pushing her gently out of the way as he pivoted to avoid the wild punch the neighbor threw at his head. Angelina knew his actions were some type of martial art, but she didn’t know which one. She watched amazed as Paul restrained the man easily and put him into some hold that caused him to sag bonelessly. The neighbor was unconscious without any blow from Paul. She watched in amazement as he lowered the neighbor to the ground and picked up the bottle of whiskey. Paul poured it out next to the man, saying, “I think you’ve had enough.”

  Paul turned to Angelina and asked, “Are you okay, honey?” When she nodded, he ushered her through the broken door and up the stairs to her apartment. Paul took her keys and opened her door. When they were inside, he turned to her and said, “You can’t stay here, Angelina. That man is dangerous.”

  Tears filled her eyes. Angelina began to cry in reaction to the attack. She patted her hands all over Paul’s chest, arms, and torso. “Are you okay? I was so scared. Did he hurt you? He’s so big,” she sobbed.

  Pulling her in close to his body, Paul kissed Angelina softly to reassure her and then, again, several times as she responded to him eagerly opening her mouth to invite his tongue to explore her. Groaning, Paul set Angelina an arm’s distance from his body. “Sweetheart, I’m okay. He didn’t land a punch on me. He’s a big guy, but he doesn’t know how to fight.”

  “You’re so brave and strong,” Angelina again ran appreciative hands over his body. “You’re all muscle. You are like an ultimate fighting machine.”

  “I don’t fight unless I have to, Angelina. Tonight, I had to make sure you were okay.” Paul ran a hand through his black and grey hair. “You can’t live here, Angelina. It’s not safe. That man could break this flimsy door down with one good kick. I’m taking you home with me tonight. I can’t leave you here. Gather enough clothes and supplies for a couple of days.”

  “I... I can’t go home with you. You barely know me. What if I’m a sociopath?” Angelina hesitated. “What if you’re a sociopath?”

  “Zoey would have told you to watch out for me if I was a sociopath. Think of this as an adventure. Come on gather your things. I can’t leave you here,” Paul urged the slight figure. When she hesitated again, he gathered her back to his chest and kissed her thoroughly. “Think of it as a time for us to get to know each other better. I promise you. Nothing will happen that you don’t want to do.” He turned her around and smacked her bottom firmly to get her moving toward the bedroom.

  “Ouch! You spanked me. You can’t spank me like a little kid,” Angelina protested.

  “I will spank you when you need to be spanked, Angelina. Now, stop dawdling.” He took her hand and led her into the bedroom despite her protests that she could pack herself. She tried to block him from entering the room, but he simply picked her up and set her down out of the way so he could open the door. “Oh my god, Little one. How do you live in this mess?” he asked astounded. There were clothes everywhere: on the bed, on the floor, draped over the mirror, stacked on the dresser. He picked up a bright pink wisp of a bra that was hanging on the doorknob.

  “Give me that,” Angelina said her face turning bright red and snatching the bra out of his hand to hide it behind her back. “I meant to clean my room, but I didn’t have any time. I’ve been working a lot at the restaurant. I haven’t even had time to go to the laundromat.” She kicked an overflowing laundry basket.

  “Gather some clothes to wear and anything else you need. We’ll take this with us,” he said picking up the laundry basket. “You can wash these at my place.”

  There was no arguing with him. Paul patiently waited as Angelina packed a few clothes and her make-up in a duffle bag. When she was done, he took this from her and slung it over his shoulder freeing up one hand. He locked her door and pocketed the keys. Pulling her behind him, Paul led the way out of the apartment and passed the still passed out neighbor. Dropping the laundry basket and the duffle bag into the trunk, he bundled her into his car and once again buckled her seatbelt safely around her. Paul walked around the car, got in and started the car, driving it toward Dr. Richards’home.

  Chapter 3

  They drove in silence. Paul’s hand rested on Angelina’s thin knee. Finally, he asked, “Are you okay?”

  “I’ve been afraid of that guy for weeks. I usually can avoid him, but he makes me uncomfortable. Thanks for being there tonight,” Angelina paused and blew out an exasperated sigh. “What am I going to do now? I can’t break my lease for three more months, and I have no idea where I could move. It’s pretty cheap there, and I don’t get paid very much as the assistant manager.”

  Paul pulled up to the ornate gate at the entrance of the Richards’ estate. He pushed in the code and drove through the open gate to turn right at a crook in the driveway down a small adjoining paved road until he reached a beautiful cottage tucked into the trees. “Let’s worry about all that later. You must be tired. Come in, Angelina. Let’s get you settled for the night, and we’ll talk tomorrow.” Paul carried in the duffle and laundry basket as he ushered her into his home. He set the laundry basket on the couch and carried her duffle into a bedroom.

  “This is my guest room, Angelina. Please make yourself at home.” He set the duffle down on the bed and opened the door to the adjoining bathroom. “There are towels in the bathroom if you wish to take a shower. Let me know if you need anything. Do you think you can sleep?” Paul asked watching her yawn widely.

  “I’m so tired that I could probably sleep in your car. Thank you, Paul. I don’t know how I’ll ever repay your kindness and your help,” Angelina’s eyes filled with tears.

  Paul took the small wilting figure into his arms and hugged her tightly to him. He wiped her tears away with gentle hands. “You don’t need to thank me. Can you get yourself ready for bed?” he asked softly.

  Angelina yawned again. “Oh no, I forgot a nightshirt!”

  Paul walked to the dresser. He pulled out a frilly, short nightie that was a beautiful, soft, pink color. “This may be a little big on you, but it will work for tonight.” He walked over and laid it on the bed. Sitting down on the bed, he pulled Angelina between his legs and began undressing the small, young lady. Angelina weakly protested as he lifted her shirt over her head. Paul continued without hesitation. He unbuttoned her slacks and opened the zipper to slide her pants down around her ankles. Next, he reached around her and unsnapped her bra lifting it off her high, small breasts revealing light pink nipples clenched in the cool air of the bedroom. Paul took a mental picture of her but remained very businesslike to reassure Angelina. He slid her panties down her legs and urged her to step out of her shoes and pants. When Angelina stood naked in front of him. Her arms wrapped around her torso to hide her body. Paul again hugged her to his warmth. “What a beautiful baby, you are!”

  Angelina could feel his body’s reaction to her nudity. He was all steel and hard edges. She was embarrassed to be naked but strangely at ease with Paul. She trusted him totally.

/>   “Lift your arms, sweetheart,” Paul instructed as he lifted the nightgown over her head and threaded it over her arms. He smoothed it down her body brushing the sides of her breast as he continued down her torso. He turned and pulled down the covers. “Do you need to potty?” he asked softly. When Angelina nodded shyly, he turned her toward the bathroom and patted her on her bare bottom. Shivers went through Angelina at his intimate touch. She felt herself becoming wet in an aroused reaction.

  The nightie barely reached her bottom, and it flared out at the end causing it to float around exposing her pert bottom and her red curls at the vee of her legs. Her pale skin glowed in contrast to the soft pink of the nightie. Angelina reached the bathroom and felt along the inner wall to turn on the light. It cascaded into the bathroom revealing a large room that was decorated with all sorts of pictures of baby animals on the walls. Angelina started to close the door but heard Paul say, “Leave it open, sweetheart. I want to make sure you’re okay.” Angelina blushed and looked back at him.

  Paul nodded, “Go ahead and use the potty, Angelina. You’re tired. We need to get you to bed.”

  Angelina walked in toward the toilet and glanced back at the door. He wouldn’t be able to see her, but she was sure he’d hear her urine hitting the water in the bowl. She yawned again. She was so tired. It was okay. He didn’t care if she went to the bathroom. Angelina sat on the toilet and looked around as she peed. The room was huge. Several closed cabinets appeared to lock. Angelina could see a bench that was waist high. Was that for massages or something else? There seemed to be cords at the corners. Did those hold the sheets on the table? Angelina shook her head and promised herself that she’d look more closely tomorrow. She finished pottying and wiped herself dry. After washing her hands, Angelina went back into the bedroom. She tried to keep the nightie down to cover herself up but it was impossible. Any way she moved exposed her bottom and her pubic area to him. She was reassured that he didn’t seem to be bothered by her flashes of skin.

  Paul had turned back the covers, and he helped her scoot underneath the sheet and blanket. He pulled them up to her chin and tucked her in carefully. Paul kissed her on the forehead and said, “Goodnight, Little one. Sleep in tomorrow morning if you can. It’s very late.”

  “Ooooh, this bed is so comfortable. Thank you, Paul, for coming to get me,” Angelina yawned through her words. “I have tomorrow off so I can figure out what to do.” Her eyes slowly blinked until they closed fully and Paul heard a soft, snuffling snore coming from the petite figure tucked in the bed.

  Paul looked down at her. Such a tiny girl was swallowed up by the soft bedding on the twin bed. She looked so happy. It was good to see that she felt comfortable enough to fall asleep while he was watching. He stood there looking down at her for several minutes before saying again, “Goodnight, Little one. I’m so glad I’ve met you.” Paul switched on a nightlight in the bathroom. He picked up her clothes that she’d worn to work and carried those out of the room. He hesitated in the doorway and reentered to turn on the baby monitor in the big teddy bear next to her bed. He’d be able to see and hear her if she needed him.

  Chapter 4

  He threw the contents of her laundry basket into the washer adding in her discarded clothing from work. Everything would be clean when they woke up, but it would be all wet. She’d have to stay in her nightie, or he’d find some other clothing for her to wear. The memory of Angelina standing before him nude flashed back into his mind. Her red hair draped over her shoulders but wasn’t long enough to cover her pert breasts. Those beautiful pink nipples had pointed out at him in the cool air. Her skin was pale white and dusted with tiny freckles. Her body was very slender, and the top of her head barely reached his shoulders. Paul wondered how old she was and remembered that she’d put her purse on the chair in the living room as they had walked into the house. He quickly found it and opening it saw that the contents were as big of a jumble as her bedroom had been. He found her billfold after rummaging around in the large purse. Pulling it out, he located her out-of-state driver’s license and read: Angelina O’Brien, age 26, 5’3, 115 pounds. She had obviously been working too hard and not eating enough. Paul knew she didn’t weigh 115 pounds now. She was too thin.

  Putting her wallet back into her purse, Paul glanced back at Angelina’s door. She needed someone to take care of her. Maybe he could be that someone. Paul smiled. He was going to do his best to convince her. Paul headed to his room and switched on the baby monitor. Angelina slept soundly. One arm had worked its way out of the covers and was flung to the side of the bed. He could hear her soft snores. She was out.

  Paul took a quick shower and sent Dr. Richards a text that he wouldn’t be in tomorrow. The doctor didn’t have his office open tomorrow so he wouldn’t be needed to open the gate for new visitors. He’d talk to Matt soon. His boss would understand perfectly. Dr. Richards left his Little, Zoey, alone very rarely. She tended to need his attention, and they enjoyed spending time together.

  Jumping into bed after checking the monitor one more time, Paul fell asleep as well. His dreams were of a red-haired baby that needed his care. The baby, Angelina, was dressed only in an absorbent diaper decorated with little duckies. They sat on the floor playing with toys until Angelina decided that she wanted to sit in his lap and climbed on his legs to settle in against him. She felt very good in his arms. It was a very good dream.

  Chapter 5

  The next morning, Paul was up at his normal 5 am. He made coffee and sat at the kitchen table thinking about how he should best handle this situation. He read the news on his iPad and just relaxed. At 7:00, a message came in from Dr. Richards stating that he’d see Paul tomorrow unless he needed another day off. Paul rarely took any vacation or personal days since he’d lost Lillian. He had a lot of days built up that he could take to spend with Angelina if she’d let him. At 9:00, he called and talked to Rob at the service station. Rob promised to look at the car as soon as possible. He’d send his Little, Tony, over to pick up the car later this morning and then they’d tow the car to the station. Tony called Paul directly when he arrived at the gate, and Paul jogged his way to the gate with the keys from Angelina’s car. He was glad to get some fresh air. He wasn’t used to sitting around. Angelina obviously needed some sleep. He wasn’t going to wake her up.

  Finally, at 10:30, Paul began to hear Angelina stir in her room. He walked down the hallway and found her sitting on the edge of her bed. She blinked slowly trying to focus her eyes and wake up enough to get up. Her nightie was tangled around her waist exposing her from the bottom of her rib cage down. Paul found the sleepy Angelina irresistible. He sat next to her on the bed and lifted her slight body to sit on his lap cradling her in his arms. Angelina made a sleepy, contented sound to be snuggled up to his warm body, and she relaxed against him, tucking her head under his chin. Paul slowly rocked her, rubbing her back and dropping tender kisses on the top of her head.

  After several minutes, Angelina woke up sufficiently to sit up straight on his lap. “Oh, I’m sorry,” she whispered as she scrambled off his lap. Hurrying, she stood next to the bed, only to realize that her nightie was too short and she was exposed to his view. She sat down quickly on the bed and yanked the covers over her exposed pelvis. “Gosh, I’m sorry. What a show I’m giving you!” Angelina said blushing bright red. She looked around the room urgently, “Where are my clothes?”

  “I threw everything into the washer, Angelina. I bet it’s all ready to go in the dryer now. You can stay in your nightie until your clothes are dry,” Paul answered as if he didn’t notice her discomfort. He had deliberately not changed the wash so the clothes would be wet when she awoke. He wanted her to become used to being exposed around him. A morning in her cute, short nightie would reassure her that it was okay to show him her pert bottom. “I bet you’re hungry. I’ll fix you some breakfast. Why don’t you potty and take a shower if you’d like before coming to the kitchen? It’s right out your door and to the left. Just follow y
our nose,” Paul suggested as he pulled the covers away and lifted her to stand on her feet.

  Immediately, Angelina’s hands went in front of her to shield her pubic area from his view. Paul hugged her rigid body until she relaxed against him. “It’s just me, Angelina. You don’t have to be shy around me. I’m here to help you. Think of me as your Daddy. I’m probably old enough to be your Dad. Here, raise your hands, and we’ll take off this pretty nightie. You don’t want to get it wet in the bathroom.” Paul pulled the nightie over Angelina’s head. Her arms went up automatically to help him. Paul laid the gown on the bed. Turning back to Angelina as she blushed naked in front of him, he turned her around and patted her bottom as he urged her toward the door. “I’ve set a towel out for you. When you get out, make your bed, and come to the kitchen. Everyone makes their bed in this house, okay?”

  Paul left the room leaving the door open. She needed to get used to losing her privacy. He searched his thoughts as he realized how his decision had already been made. She was perfect for him. He hadn’t thought he’d ever be lucky enough to find another Little to take Lillian’s place in his heart. Already, Angelina was wrangling her way into his affection. Now, he just had to convince her to stay with him as his Little. He could tell she’d never had a relationship like this. Hopefully, he could show her how much she needed a Daddy to take care of her.

  Chapter 6

  Angelina hurried into the bathroom. “What am I doing naked in front of Paul?” she questioned herself sternly as she looked in the mirror. “Have I lost my mind?” Angelina hurried across the big bathroom to use the toilet. “Why does he keep telling me to go potty?” A shiver went down her spine. “Is there any way he could know that I fantasize about being taken care of like a Little girl?” She decided there wasn’t and hurried into the shower turning up the heat to try to wash away her thoughts. “He had said those magic words, ‘Think of me as your Daddy.’” Her thoughts whirled in her head as she quickly washed her body. Lingering between her legs, Angelina felt the slick moisture revealing her arousal. “I’d love to have someone as special as Paul be my Daddy. He’s so brave and strong. He’d be a perfect Daddy,” Angelina thought as she finished her shower.