Hanna's Awakening Read Online Free Page A

the dressing room area on the premise of finding her at least one pair of pants and some t-shirts.
    As he fumbled through a stack of jeans, he realized she probably needed underthings too. Christ. He groaned inwardly. What the hell had he gotten himself into? Ever since she’d arrived at his house a week ago, he’d been one giant walking erection.
    “Can I help you find something, sir?”
    Ben’s head shot up at the sound of a woman’s voice. A sales associate. Thank God. He stood up, glancing over his shoulder at the dressing room. “Yes, um, my daughter’s getting a whole new wardrobe for college. She might need help picking out… underthings.” Covering his mouth, he coughed uncomfortably. “You know. Panties. Bras.”
    The woman, a plump redhead with a saccharine smile, raised an eyebrow. He didn’t need to be psychic to read her thoughts. She obviously found it strange that a woman old enough to go to college was out shopping for bras and panties with her dad. Cringing, his mind raced for an explanation to offer the woman.
    He came up empty.
    “Is that her underwear size?”
    Ben held a pair of jeans in his hands, the same size as the dresses. “Yes. Think so.”
    “What about bra size, sir?”
    “Huh?”
    “What’s her bra size?”
    “Not sure. Maybe you could bring a few sizes for her to try out.”
    “Of course. I’ll be back in a few minutes.” She disappeared to the other end of the store where panties and bras hung on racks.
    Ben gave himself a mental shake before calling for Hanna outside the dressing room. She appeared in front of the mirrors, head inclined as she approached him. A long, flower-patterned purple dress clung to her bosom and waist, flowing out from her hips to graze her ankles. And she definitely, most definitely, wasn’t wearing a bra. A hint of her nipples showed like tiny peaks through the fabric.
    “Wear that one to lunch.” The words escaped his mouth before he could think.
    An hour later, he carried several bags to his truck filled with dresses, jeans, a few shirts, shoes, pajamas, and unmentionables. After locking up his truck, they ventured back inside the mall to a walk-in hair salon. The hairdresser suggested Hanna donate some of her long, beautiful locks to cancer patients. Hanna readily agreed. When it was all said and done, she’d lost fourteen inches of hair, but it still swept over her shoulders in shining waves. Ben couldn’t stop staring, especially when it blew in the breeze as they exited the mall.
    “Do you like pizza?” He opened the car door, waiting for her to crawl inside.
    “Yes. I’ve had it before. Sarah made it once, but Daat and my brothers didn’t like it so she never made it again. I’ve never had it from a restaurant though.” She graced him with a smile as she hopped on the seat, smoothing out her dress.
    “Let’s go get pizza, then.” He leaned over to buckle her in, then closed her door and rounded the truck, sliding in to start the engine.
    “Mr. Foster?”
    “Yes?” From the corner of his eye, he noticed her hands twisting on her lap. He turned his body to face her, puzzled over her sudden anxiety.
    “Thank you for the job. Thank you for the room. Thank you for the clothes. I am so grateful for your help. You’re a very good man, helping me like this.”
    The urge to gather Hanna in his arms was unbearable. He wanted to hold her and promise everything would be okay. To tell her she would grow up to have a wonderful life, despite being estranged from her biological family. He ached to soothe her fears. He also ached to possess her, to teach her pleasure and keep her with him forever. To cuddle her and take care of her the way a sweet little girl like her deserved. The thought of eventually letting her go, sending her off into the cruel world he’d once escaped, filled him with angry despair.
    Though she was incredibly shy and quiet, he saw a fire burning within her. An independent streak that had been squashed by years of