Total pages in book: 153
Estimated words: 154595 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 773(@200wpm)___ 618(@250wpm)___ 515(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 154595 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 773(@200wpm)___ 618(@250wpm)___ 515(@300wpm)
“Maeve! Maeve, breathe!”
Jeez, bossy britches, don’t you think I’m trying?
Breathe, Maeve.
“Girl, you better fucking breathe right now,” a deep voice growled, the command clear.
Suddenly, her arms were free and she flung them out, hearing someone grunt in pain. But she managed to take a small breath, then another.
“That’s it, girl. Good. Another breath. Good girl. My good girl.”
The voice soothed her, despite its roughness. That voice meant safety. It meant honesty, loyalty, and protection.
She was tucked into a wide lap and warmth filled her. Opening her eyes, she stared into Gray’s worried gaze.
“Breathe. In. Hold. Out. That’s it . . . that’s my girl.”
His girl. She was his.
He was hers.
“Fuck, sorry, baby. I went to run you a bath and you stopped fucking breathing. I won’t let you go next time. Not for anything.”
She wasn’t going to argue with that. She stared up at him, frowning at the red patch on his cheek.
“What’s this?” She reached up to lightly pat his cheek.
“Got in the way of someone’s hand.”
Her eyes widened and she sat up, narrowly missing bumping into his chin. “What? Someone hit you? Where are they? I’m gonna get them.” She punched her fist into her palm.
Normally Maeve wasn’t into violence. She tried hard to spread kindness and tolerance.
But hurt someone she loved and that fucker would pay.
Gray stared at her in shock. Then a smile flicked at his lips, making her stare at him in wonder. They were so rare, those fleeing smiles. But beautiful.
“What is it?” he asked, running a finger down her face.
“You’re so beautiful.”
“Girl,” he grumbled, like she knew he would. “I got balls.”
“You sure do.”
“And a dick.”
She licked her lips. “Uh-huh, it’s super delicious.”
He closed his eyes. Was there a hint of pink in his cheeks?
Surely not.
“My dick is not delicious, girl.” He gave her a firm look.
“Would you rather it was gross? Strange desire.”
“No, I don’t want it to be gross, you brat,” he grumbled. “Fuck. Fine. My dick is delicious. Now what was my fucking point?”
“I don’t know, Daddy. You were the one making it.”
Oh, the look on his face told her that she was so close to a spanking. Her ass tingled at the thought.
“Maybe you should look into doing Sudoku or crosswords,” she suggested.
“Why would I want to do that?” he asked incredulously.
“Because you seem to be a bit forgetful.”
“Girl, if I’m forgetful, it’s your fault.”
“Poor Daddy.” She patted his cheek. “You just can’t keep up, can you?”
“Are you wanting your butt paddled?”
“No, Daddy. Gosh, you give a man a bit of sympathy and he threatens to spank you.” She shook her head sadly. “Wait, you never told me who hit you. I want to hurt those motherfuckers.”
“Motherfuckers?”
“Uh-huh. You think I can’t swear. I’m an excellent swearer. I think I might have an award in swearing.”
“Do you?”
“No, but I’m thinking of getting one. Maybe for you. You’re very good at swearing.”
“Thank you. Wait, is that a compliment?”
She grinned at him.
“Oh, someone woke up in a good mood, didn’t they?”
She sobered slightly, thinking of her nightmare. Not that she could remember much except for the fact that she couldn’t breathe. She cuddled into Gray, realizing that he was naked except for some boxers. “I don’t like those dreams, Daddy.”
Feeling the need to soothe herself, she put her thumb in her mouth.
“Neither do I. You have to stop scaring me half to death.” The words were scolding, but his tone was almost worried. She slid her thumb from her mouth and put soothing kisses on his chest.
“You’re so pretty and yummy.”
“Now, I remember what I was scolding you for.”
She leaned back to stare up at him. He gave her a stern look back.
“You were scolding me, Daddy? That’s not very nice.” She dropped her lower lip.
“You’re pouting.”
“I can’t be. I don’t pout.”
“Funny, what’s this then?” He tapped her lower lip. “And I was scolding you for calling me beautiful. And calling me pretty might be worse. I have balls and a dick.”
“I know. They’re two of your best features. Only coming in behind your eyes, lips, face, chest, arms, and your ass. Your ass is number one. That thing is sinful. Can I bite it?”
“No, you may not bite it.”
“I’ll be gentle.”
“No.”
Her lip dropped again. Darn thing had a mind of its own.
“Who hit you, Daddy?”
He sighed. “A little brat who likes to pout.”
Her eyes widened. “Me? Oh no, I’m so sorry, Daddy!” She’d hurt him? How terrible. “I’m so, so sorry!”
“Hey. It’s all right. You didn’t mean to. Don’t get upset. It barely hurt.”
“It left a mark! It might bruise. I might have bruised you.”
“Girl, you didn’t fucking hurt me. Stop that right now.” He gave her a stern look, then alarm filled his face.
“Fuck! The bath!”
He jumped up and she giggled as he raced into the bathroom, dressed just in his boxers.