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)
Or did this have something to do with her hidden box in the closet? What the fuck was going on? And why would that make her pull away from him? Refuse to come with him to Sanctuary?
“You going to sit there all day or go and make her tell you what’s going on?” Hayes grumbled as he walked back into the kitchen.
Corbin sighed. “You know, I think I liked it better when you were an antisocial bastard who didn’t care what anyone else did.”
“Oh, I’m still that,” Hayes said. “It’s just hard not to care about that girl. She needs someone to care about her.”
Fuck.
“I know she does. She doesn’t want to come with me because I’m a Daddy Dom. But she’s a Little. I mean . . . I assumed she was. I found . . . stuff hidden in her closet.”
“Hmm. Well, I ain’t got no answers for you, so there’s no use telling me. Go talk to her.”
Corbin rolled his eyes, but Hayes was right. He wouldn’t get any answers by sitting here and talking to Hayes.
Getting to his feet, he let out a deep breath.
“Don’t let her go,” Hayes told him quietly. “Life is short and you never know when your time on earth is gonna end.”
Corbin wanted to say something comforting about how his wife wouldn’t want him to waste his time here either. But he didn’t think it would go over well. Hayes needed someone in his life . . . a reason to want to live.
So Corbin nodded and headed upstairs. He knocked on her door but didn’t wait for her reply. He knew what it would be.
“Go away. Don’t you know you’re supposed to be invited inside before you walk into someone’s bedroom?” Bebe asked from where she lay on the bed.
“Must have missed that lesson in manners.”
“I think you missed a few more.” She glared up at him as he sat on the bed beside her.
Her eyes were swollen and red, and his heart ached for her. Whatever was going on in her head was torturing her.
“Baby, you’re coming with me to Sanctuary.”
And that wasn’t what he’d meant to lead with. Probably wasn’t his smartest move either. She sat up, shooting fire from her eyes.
“You can’t tell me what to do, Corbin.”
His own eyes narrowed as he gave her a firm look. “I’m in charge of you.”
“I fired you.”
“You didn’t hire me in the first place.”
“This is silly. It’s semantics. Corbin, I’m not coming with you.”
“You were last night.”
“Yes, but that’s before I found out . . .”
“That I’m a Daddy Dom? Why does that make a difference?”
“Because I’m not a Little.” She stared at him, chewing on her lip. “I’m not a Little and that’s what you need. So it won’t work. I’m sorry.”
“That’s the problem?”
“Yes.”
He knew that likely didn’t even scratch the surface of what was going on here. Bebe was so secretive sometimes. And she wasn’t going to just open up and tell him, not without a push.
“Then there’s no problem at all.”
“What do you mean?” she asked.
“I don’t need to be with a Little. Sure, I enjoy being a Daddy Dom, but it’s not my entire life. I’ve had relationships with people who aren’t Littles. I want you, Bebe. It doesn’t matter to me if you’re a Little, a sub, into pet play, or none of the above. I. Want. You.”
A sob escaped her. “Why do you have to be so perfect? And why do I keep crying? Urgh, it’s so damn irritating.”
“Got to tell you, though, you need some rules and boundaries. You’re reckless with your safety, which is something I will not allow.”
Shit. He probably should have held that all back.
She wiped at her eyes. “It’s nice of you to say all of this, but it’s not very practical, is it? I mean, it won’t work in practice. Your Daddy side is bound to peek out, to make an appearance.”
“Not going to lie, that might happen. But you said you like it when I get a bit bossy. And I think you need that. Someone to set down a hard line. To ensure your safety when you won’t. To take care of you. You’ve never had that and you deserve it. Sometimes that might come across as me Daddying you.”
“Is that a word?” she asked.
“It should be. Is that a problem? My Daddy side coming out occasionally?”
“Sort of,” she whispered.
“Hey, look at me.” He tilted her chin up. “I care about you, Bebe. I don’t think you quite get that yet. But I’m going to keep telling you until you do. Caring about you means that I will never force you to do something you don’t want. I am not your mother. I will not bully or blackmail you until you give in. I want what is best for you. And what is best is for you to be happy.”