Total pages in book: 117
Estimated words: 116760 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 584(@200wpm)___ 467(@250wpm)___ 389(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 116760 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 584(@200wpm)___ 467(@250wpm)___ 389(@300wpm)
Bob nodded as though he believed that. “You sure?”
“Yep. He’s actually my bodyguard. My dad hired him. Can you believe that bullshit?”
Bob narrowed his gaze, though, not looking as amused as Bebe sounded. “Not bullshit if you’re in trouble. You in trouble?”
“Never, Bob. How would I ever get into trouble? I’m an angel.”
Bob snorted. “Now, I’ve heard it all. You be safe, Bebe. And you keep her safe, boy.”
He shuffled away and Corbin didn’t relax until he was half a block away, then he turned to glare down at Bebe.
“Right. We’ve got some talking to do.”
Whoa.
Seemed like the switch had flipped. Gone was sweet Corbin, who blushed easily, and in his place was a fierce, dominant, protective caveman.
She wasn’t sure which side of him she liked best.
You don’t like dominant men, remember?
Hmm, she didn’t like lying dipshits who dumped her on TV. There had been nothing dominant about Ericc.
And yes, he’d spelled his name with two c’s.
Corbin grasped her left wrist but didn’t hold her hard. She knew she could break the hold easily.
But for some reason, she didn’t.
Instead, she let him steer her into the house and onto the back porch. He took in the porch as it groaned and tested some boards with his foot. “Is this safe?”
“That’s debatable. It’s held up this long, figure it’s got another five minutes while you get what you have to off your chest.”
He eyed her for a long moment, then drew her back into the house. “Don’t go out there again.”
Bebe heaved out a breath.
Yep, Bossy Dom was definitely here.
“It’s fine. I was joking. I had a building report done when I bought the place. The porch is solid.”
“I still don’t want you going out on it until a contractor checks it. And I don’t mean you,” he added as she opened her mouth.
Huh.
Rude.
She thought she was doing an excellent job of renovating her house. Just because it was kind of a mess, everything was half-finished, and she’d never renovated anything in her life was no reason to denigrate her abilities as a builder.
“Now, we’re going to have a talk about what just happened.” Corbin drew a chair away from her small wooden table. Most of the furniture had come with the house. Which was just as well since she didn’t really have spare money for furniture. “Sit.”
“You know, you’re cute when you get all commanding.”
“Bebe,” he said in a low tone. “Sit.”
She sat.
Sheesh. Very potent. She eyed him carefully as he started to pace.
“Pacing is never a good sign,” she stated. “It’s like jumping straight to level three.”
“What?” he asked, pausing and looking confused.
“It’s a level three. Frowning and a stern voice is level one. Hands on hips is level two. Pacing is level three. Crossing arms over the chest is definitely a level four. Then there is: ‘come here and stand in front of me while I lecture you.’ Totally level five and the level you don’t want to reach.”
He blinked at her several times. “Are you familiar with people lecturing you?”
“You could say that.”
“Your parents?”
She couldn’t help it. She burst into giggles. “My parents? Good Lord, no. They’d have to notice me in order to lecture me. No, I’ve had other fun experiences of being lectured to death. I know my lecture levels. You jumped a few levels which isn’t a good sign.”
“Then you should let me just pace for a moment.”
“I should? Why is that?”
“Bebe, just . . . just hush for a minute.” He stopped and placed his hand over his face. “Let me calm down.”
Hmm, this was different. She wasn’t used to anyone trying to calm themselves down before they spoke to her.
Perhaps she’d give the poor guy some slack.
So she sat and watched him.
Like a good Little girl.
Well, not a Little Little. She didn’t do that anymore.
Not since him.
The asshole.
“Right.” Corbin stopped in front of her. “We need to get something clear.”
“Yes?” she asked.
“You do not ever get between me and an unknown threat.” He gave her a stern look.
“But Bob isn’t an unknown!” she protested. “I’ve known him for ages!”
“Really? How long?” he asked.
“I dunno. Two months? So he’s not a stranger.”
His jaw tightened. “I’m not finished speaking. So hush.” He didn’t say it in a mean tone. No, his voice was calm and even.
Which kind of meant it had more of an impact.
“Bob was an unknown to me,” he told her. “Which meant that I had no idea whether he was a threat or not . . . to you. Do you know what my job is?”
“Um, to protect me?” she asked.
“Yes. I am here to protect you. Which means that anytime I stand between you and an unknown threat. You do not step around me when I put you behind me.”
“But you didn’t see the instructors as a threat yesterday. And when I was shopping with Hayes yesterday, he didn’t look at everyone like they were a threat!”