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)
“Nothing is your fault,” he said harshly. “Hear me? None of this is your fault. It’s all this evil asshole who did this. It has nothing to do with you.” He gave her a determined look. “Now, brace yourself. I’m going to hug you.”
He was?
Thank God.
Gently, he drew her up and against his chest, his arms going around her. She knew that he wasn’t used to giving hugs and the fact that he made the effort with her . . .
It meant everything.
She relaxed into his embrace, letting his strength wrap around her. The sense of safety was overwhelming.
“I might not be good at any sort of emotional shit, but I do protect what belongs to me with everything I have.”
She believed him.
But at the same time, she worried he was out of his depth with her stalker.
“What if you get hurt, though? I couldn’t bear if that happened. Especially if it was because of me.”
He drew back, cupping the side of her face. “I’m not going to get hurt.”
“You don’t know . . . this guy, he escalated so quickly. It’s terrifying. I never thought he’d follow me here, let alone try to kill me. How did he even find me?” She coughed hoarsely.
“That’s something we need to work out,” he said grimly. “But right now, the first thing we need to do is take care of your health. That’s number one. Then we’ll discuss everything else. Here, drink some water.”
She wrinkled her nose. “No more. Don’t like water.”
“It’s good for you.”
“Still doesn’t change the taste. Juice? Chocolate milk?”
“Nope. Water.” He gave her a stern look. “Drink. If you’re a good girl, you’ll get a reward.”
“And if I’m not a good girl?” What was she doing? But the way he spoke . . . was it possible he was a Daddy Dom?
“If you’re a naughty girl, then you get punished.”
She dropped her lower lip out. “I don’t like the sound of that.”
“You shouldn’t. It’s punishment.”
“How . . . how would I be punished? Would you . . . would you leave? Stop talking to me? Not want to be around me anymore?”
Just the idea of that made her breath come in sharp pants. She couldn’t stand the idea of not having him around. Of him pulling back from her.
“Whoa. Whoa, baby. That’s not ever happening. Ever. Get me? Look into my eyes. That’s it. Now, hear me. I am going nowhere. If anything, you’re going to have the opposite problem. You’re not getting any space from me. At least not until I figure out what’s going on. If I can’t be with you, someone I trust will be. But there aren’t many people I trust, so get used to me being on your ass twenty-four-seven. I’m sorry, little girl, but for you, privacy just because a thing of the past.”
She gaped up at him, then cleared her throat. “Right. Okay.”
That was a lot.
And yet, at the same time, it was what she wanted. At least right now.
“So what would the punishment be?” she asked as she took a sip of water.
He shrugged his large shoulders. “I’m rather fond of spankings. If this wasn’t a matter of health, I might be hoping you would disobey me so I got to spank that gorgeous ass of yours.”
And there went the water she’d taken a sip of.
All. Over. His. Face.
Gray stared down at her.
She gaped up at him.
“You know . . . I should have known better than saying that while you were drinking.”
“I’m so sorry,” she said hastily. “Let me clean you up.”
“Do not take your top off,” he barked.
She shied back, unsure what he was talking about. “What? I wasn’t going to do that. And I’m in a gown. Although I feel like I should be insulted by the horror in your voice as you said that.”
He rubbed his temple. “Sorry. I . . . I was just thrown back to another situation. And I’m tired. Don’t worry about it.”
She frowned, totally confused.
“Someone I know . . . she spat some water, then took off her top to wipe it up just before I opened the car door. I don’t want anyone seeing you without a top on. I’d have to kill them.”
“You threaten to kill people a lot. You should probably get someone professional to examine that urge. Before someone takes you seriously.”
“Everyone takes me seriously,” he countered as she grabbed some tissues.
“Right. Come here,” she told him.
“Yeah, girl. That’s not happening. I clean you up. Not the other way around.”
“That’s a weird rule,” she said as he grabbed the tissues from her hand and used them to dry his face.
“Still a rule. Remember that.”
“Oh, I’m not very good at remembering things,” she said softly, tiredly. She slumped back on the bed, glancing down at herself. “Who put me in this gown?”