Total pages in book: 215
Estimated words: 217988 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1090(@200wpm)___ 872(@250wpm)___ 727(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 217988 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1090(@200wpm)___ 872(@250wpm)___ 727(@300wpm)
“Thanks.” She gave him a smile. “The weird thing is that he did nothing. I thought he might start in on having me sign the NDA again, but he saw me and he looked almost ill. He jumped in his car and drove off. It was so weird. I just . . . what those women said to me just shook me even though I know I shouldn’t have let it get to me.” Turning her head, she buried her face against the Fox’s body, trembling. “I just wish I’d stood up for myself instead of running away.”
Brody stared at Autumn, feeling helpless. Reaching over, he rubbed her back while the Fox stared off into the distance, looking furious
“It’s okay, Tutu. We won’t ever let them near you again. I wish you’d called me, though. I’d have come over straight away.”
“I didn’t want to be a bother.”
“You are never a bother,” Brody said fiercely. “Right, Fox?”
“I should have protected you from them better,” Fox muttered.
She shook her head. “I wouldn’t let you do much to Laura or Brad, remember?”
“Well, that’s now null and void.”
“You can’t kill Laura and her bitch friends for upsetting me.”
“Can’t I?”
“Daddy, please don’t.”
He scowled down at her. “You’re defending them?”
She cupped his face between her hands. “No. I just want you safe. I don’t want you to harm them for your sake. Not theirs. Please.”
“I have a better idea than killing them, anyway.”
Autumn gave him an alarmed look, but he shrugged. “They deserve it for the way they’ve treated you.”
She looked thoughtful. “As long as you’re not at risk.”
“Don’t worry about me, Bunny. I’m at the top of the food chain.” He brushed her hair off her face, seemingly back in the here and now. “But Pup is right. You should have called him. Next time something like that happens, you call us immediately, understand?”
“Yes. I’m sorry.”
“And you are never a bother.”
Brody watched him kiss her before he turned to him to do the same. His butt was still burning, but that had been pushed aside in the wake of taking care of Autumn. “Let’s get you both into bed. You both need sleep. And I have some work to do.”
The Fox walked into their bedroom an hour later with Autumn’s bottle. He’d warmed up some milk for her. She’d just gotten out of the shower and was dressed in a white onesie with cherries on it that he’d bought her for Christmas. Well, Santa had.
But he was really Santa. Shh. It was a secret.
Her eyes lit up as she saw the bottle. He could hear the shower going so he knew Brody was still in there.
“What’s that, Daddy?”
“Your bottle. I warmed up some milk for you.”
“I don’t know, Daddy. I think it would taste better with a shot of caffeine in it.”
“I’m sure you do. However, this is what you’re having.” He walked over to the chair that was in the corner of the room. It would be better if it was a rocking chair. He made a mental note to add one to the nursery he’d created for her in his den. He’d added things he wasn’t sure she would want, like a changing table and crib. He’d also created a playroom for both her and Pup.
He hoped they liked it.
“Come here.” He patted his lap.
She gave him a longing look, but hesitated. “Are you sure?”
“Course I’m sure.” He gave her a look of disbelief. “You think I wouldn’t want to feed you your bottle? Baby girl, if you let me, I’d completely take over your life. I’d make every decision, feed you every bite of food, bathe you, dress you, I’d want it all.”
“I think that might be a bit much. And you wouldn’t get anything else done.”
“True. Pup would need some of my time and attention as well.”
She nodded as she walked over. Her onesie had a drop seat and built-in socks, which was adorable.
“He is very naughty,” she agreed.
“That he is. I think my hand is going to get very sore taking care of him.”
“Poor Daddy. I could kiss it better.”
“Thank you, baby girl.”
She took hold of his hand and kissed the palm.
“Much better.”
She beamed at him. Despite the murderous rage that had filled him earlier, he now felt almost at peace. It was amazing the way she affected him.
He helped her onto his lap so she was lying over him sideways, with her back against one arm and her head resting on his chest. He held the nipple to her mouth. “Open.”
He slid the nipple into her mouth, contentment flooding him as she sucked.
Her hand came up and lightly covered his around the bottle, but she didn’t try to pull it away. Her eyes closed and she kept sucking. Gradually, she grew more relaxed.
The bathroom door opened and he glanced over to see Brody walk into the bedroom. He was wearing a sleeveless top and striped pajama pants.