Total pages in book: 54
Estimated words: 50753 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 254(@200wpm)___ 203(@250wpm)___ 169(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 50753 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 254(@200wpm)___ 203(@250wpm)___ 169(@300wpm)
“Blade, I don’t think….” Sapphire’s mouth snapped closed as she entered the work area. All the bikers turned to look at her.
“Blade’s in the last work bay. Stay between the painted lines,” Faust told her softly before addressing the others in a louder tone, “She’s his.” The bikers all nodded and called polite greetings.
What is going on here? Shaking her head, Sapphire walked down the aisle he’d pointed out.
The space was divided into different sections. Even to her untrained eye, she could see that each area had a particular focus. Spotting Blade, she hurried to his side. Unable to resist, she scanned his hard body. Blade had a physical job, but he obviously worked out as well. His powerful ass and thighs alone screamed he’d done a million squats.
“Everyone thinks we’re together,” she hissed, forcing herself to focus.
Blade looked around and answered, “We are.”
“Not like in the same space. They think we’re together-together.”
“I can live with that. Here. I’ve cleaned off my bench. Set the sketches here,” Blade said as he turned on a light on the surface.
She stared at the devastatingly handsome man and didn’t budge. “Why did you say I was yours?”
“Have you ever had that knowledge deep in your gut that something was right? Like an interview for a position you were confident you’d enjoy, or an apartment that feels happy?”
“Of course. What does that have to do with anything?” Why was he talking about places to live or jobs?
“I’ve looked for my Little girl for a long time. I’m sure I’ve found her,” Blade said, holding her gaze with his. His voice was quiet. In the noisy environment, she knew only she could hear him.
Sapphire took a step forward. “I’m not even positive I’m a Little girl,” she whispered. Her heart pounded so loudly, she wondered if he could hear it. Her emotions flip-flopped between excitement and fright.
“Then we figure it out together,” he suggested, moving closer. He reached a hand out to smooth over her hair before tangling his fingers in the locks at the base of her skull. Blade tightened his grip, and Sapphire tilted her head back to ease the tug on her hair.
Blade slowly lowered his mouth to hers. She had what felt like a lifetime to stop him and didn’t even consider shifting away. When his lips met hers in a soft kiss, she rose on her tiptoes to press her mouth against his. Something drew her to him.
He wrapped his free arm around her waist, guiding her forward. The design sheets crinkled, crumpled between them.
Damn, this man can kiss. Sapphire abandoned herself to the pleasure he cultivated. The long slow kisses wiped every thought from her mind. When he deepened the kiss, she moaned into his mouth. He tasted like peppermint-flavored masculinity. Suddenly, her favorite flavor shifted from chocolate to sweet mint.
When he lifted his head, a small sound slipped through her lips. Without consciously meaning to, Sapphire lifted her fingers to her lips as she stared at him in wonder.
“I know, Little girl. I feel it too. You’re mine until you decide our relationship doesn’t work for you. I’m hoping that never happens.”
“I’m not sure how to be Little.”
“Can you be brave for Daddy?” he asked.
“Daddy?”
“Being Little takes being true to yourself and trying different things to find what makes you happy. I’ll be with you every step of the way,” Blade promised.
“We just met each other,” she protested. She should move away from him, but she didn’t want to.
“I think we’ve already figured out the most important details, right?” he asked and brushed her hair away from her face.
Sapphire nodded.
“Door going down,” a loud voice announced. The open bay doors crept toward the floor with a metallic rattle.
Realizing where they were, Sapphire stepped back. Blade tightened his arm around her and then released her as if he were reluctant to let her go. “I forgot they were here,” she whispered. “What are they going to think of me?”
“You’re mine. That’s all that matters. The Shadowridge Guardians take care of their own,” he told her in a very definite tone before changing the subject. “Show me your designs.”
“Oh.” She raised the sheets and walked to the workspace he’d indicated before to set them out. Sapphire held her breath as Blade scanned all the images closely.
“I like how you colored these in instead of just noting the stones. That makes it easier to imagine. These are incredible. You skirted the line between attractive and too girly perfectly.”
“Could you show me where these are going?” Sapphire asked.
“I can put blades in several places on a bike. How much do you know about motorcycles?”
“Pretend I’m a total novice,” Sapphire answered. She wanted to hear what he would tell her. Besides, she wasn’t an expert. She’d just ridden on the back of a bike, holding onto her art school boyfriend. Like her previous love interests, he hadn’t lasted too long. Heavens knew he wasn’t a Daddy. Was that what made Blade so exciting?