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)
“I wasn’t hurt. You were!”
“Yes, because I’m your bodyguard. They came for me first in order to get me out of the way and go after you. And now we don’t know if this house is safe.”
“He could know where I live,” she whispered.
“Yes, he could.” He didn’t sugarcoat his words. “He likely does since it seemed like he was lying in wait for us. But you don’t need to worry because he’s not getting in here. Hayes will take watch overnight. He’s going to stay awake, and I’m going to sleep in the hallway outside your room. Okay?”
“You . . . you can’t do that. Your injury . . .”
“It will be fine.”
“What if that person follows us and tries to get to me again? He could follow us to the Ranch.”
“Then I will protect you. And Sanctuary Ranch has the best security you’ll find. Not only are there cameras and alarms, but a bunch of ex-military guys live there.”
“I don’t know,” she said. “You’ll be safer if you stay away from me.”
He shook his head.
“Don’t you understand that I’m trying to protect you?” she cried.
He stared at her for a long moment. “That’s why you tried to fire me? To keep me safe?”
“Yes. Only you won’t listen to reason, you Neanderthal! You got hurt because of me!”
“Baby, I would a thousand times rather I got hurt than you did. Protecting people is my job. I was trained to do this.”
“You told me that you mostly sit behind a desk!”
How often did he get hurt on the job?
“I do most of the time,” he said soothingly. “It’s true that I rarely go out on jobs, but that doesn’t mean I haven’t kept up my training. I can protect myself, and I can most definitely protect you. This is just a scratch.”
Just a scratch? Just a scratch!
“He had a knife!” she cried. “Oh God. This is definitely a terrible idea.”
“Look at me. Bebe, look at me,” he said firmly.
She stared up at him. There was no way she could risk him. It wasn’t happening. That wasn’t a scratch.
“You’re still fired.”
He smiled. And then he started laughing.
What was he doing?
“Don’t you believe me? You’re fired. You need to leave and I’m not coming with you.”
“Baby, you’re coming with me even if I have to carry you the whole way over my shoulder, kicking and screaming.”
She shook her head. “You can’t do that. I don’t want you to get hurt!”
Corbin’s expression hardened and he cupped her face between his hands.
“Be careful of your arm,” she ordered. “You shouldn’t be moving it this much.”
“Bebe,” he said firmly. “Stop fussing over me. I’m fine. You need to listen. You are coming home with me. I know you’re scared. There’s a lot for you to worry about. The guy who attacked you. Going to a strange place with a man you haven’t known that long. But you do not need to worry about me. I am fine. I told you that I can protect you and myself, and if you doubt me once more, I’m going to start getting insulted.”
Well, hell.
Men.
Their egos were so darn fragile.
“I know it feels like we haven’t known each other long enough for you to move in with me. But think of this as a holiday with a guy who thinks you’re incredible. Who thinks you’re beautiful and smart and precious. Things can move as slowly as you want them to, okay? I am not rushing you. What I do want is for you to be safe and close to me, where I can watch over you.”
“You . . . you really think I’ll be safe there? That we both will be?” she asked.
What if she managed to convince them both to leave and she stayed behind?
God. Then the stalker would come after her with a knife and there would be no one standing in his way.
“I’m certain of it.”
She studied his face, looking for any sign that he was unsure or worried. But there was nothing on his face but calm certainty.
Would going to the Ranch really be such a terrible thing? Sure, she wouldn’t be able to work on her house. But that could wait. There was no other reason she needed to be here. She could go and get some fresh air in Montana and get far away from this crazy stalker.
Bebe nodded, suddenly feeling exhausted. She was just too tired to fight this anymore.
And there’s a part of you that doesn’t want to fight it.
Because that part of her wanted to belong to this man as much as he belonged to her.
“All right, then. I’ll come back with you.”
“That’s my good girl. So sweet. So precious.” He leaned in, his nose rubbed against hers.
Bebe let out a soft sigh of pleasure. Was he going to kiss her? His lips brushed against her left cheek, then her right.