Total pages in book: 133
Estimated words: 134598 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 673(@200wpm)___ 538(@250wpm)___ 449(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 134598 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 673(@200wpm)___ 538(@250wpm)___ 449(@300wpm)
And he wasn’t going to do it with her input because he knew she would argue with him.
“Are you going to go into your fort?” He’d used basically all of the cushions, pillows, and blankets in the house.
It was impressive if he did say so himself.
“It’s so pretty, though. What if I break it?”
That was what she was concerned about? He crouched and took hold of her chin. “Hey, if you break it, then we fix it. All right?”
“You won’t get mad?”
“Never, baby. I’d never get mad at you.”
Cate gave him a tremulous smile.
“Do you want me to climb in first? Here, I will show you.” He crawled into the space. Of course, he couldn’t actually sit up. And he took up most of the room. But darn, it was comfy.
“You know what? I think I’ll just have a sleep in here. You can do what you like. Just don’t do drugs, take up smoking, or go swimming straight after eating.”
“Daddy! No, you have to leave.”
“I do? Why?”
“Because this is my fort!”
“Well, can’t you share?” he asked.
“Nooo!” she cried.
“Why not?”
“Because you are too big. Your bottom is taking up all of the room.”
He let out a gasp of fake-horror. “Are you saying that I have a big booty? I will let you know that it’s all from squats at the gym.”
She giggled and he smiled. He loved hearing her laugh.
“Fine. I will get out. But you are being very mean to me, Little girl. I might have to cry.” He sniffled and wiped at his cheeks.
Then a small whirlwind threw herself at him. He fell on his back with her on top of him. “Whoa! You just tackled Daddy! Who knew you were that strong?”
She grinned down at him. “Sorry, Daddy. But weren’t you crying just before? You don’t look like you was crying.” Cate tapped his dry cheeks. “Was you lying to me? That is naughty if you were.”
“They must have all dried up. That’s crazy.”
“Uh-huh, sure it is, Daddy. Now, excuse me but I hasta go explore my fort.”
“I don’t know . . . .you think you’ve raised them right and they just come out mean.” He shook his head with a sigh.
Suddenly, she hugged him. “I’m sorry, Daddy. I didn’t mean to be so nasty. What can I do to make it up to you? Did I hurt your feelings?” She started sniffling. “I’m so s-sorry.”
“Whoa. Hey.” He sat up with her in his lap. “I was just joking. You weren’t mean.”
“Are you sure? I might have been. I’m sorry. Sometimes I don’t always say the right thing. I don’t mean to be rude.”
“All right, this backfired on me. Catie-pie, you didn’t say anything rude. You weren’t mean. It was just a joke. One I won’t make again.”
“You’re sure?”
“I’m sure. I’m sorry that Daddy upset you.”
“It’s all right to make mistakes, Daddy. That’s how we learn.”
“That is very wise.”
“I am very smart.”
“Yes, you are. Now, go test out your fort. Would you like to read a book for a while?”
“I can reads a book in it?” she asked, eyes wide with excitement.
“Yep. You sure can. I’ll get your eReader when I get my laptop. You just stay there, Catie-pie.”
“I will, Daddy. I like it in here.”
“Good girl.”
41
Cate put down her eReader. She never thought this would happen . . . but she didn’t want to read anymore.
It had been nice and relaxing in her fort, to begin with, but after fifteen minutes, she began to feel lonely and all of her worries started to leak through the calmness she’d achieved with Ethan.
What if the stalker hurt Rhoddy?
What if he came after her and hurt Ethan?
Maybe she should take herself out of the equation and go to the vacation house. She wouldn’t need any protection and Ethan could help protect Rhodes.
She rolled over onto her tummy. Then to her back.
“Baby? You all right in there?”
Was she all right?
Not really. And she knew what would make her feel better. Going back to her routine. Which would likely mean heading to her closet to read or to the office to work.
But she didn’t want to be alone or to work.
There was one other thing . . .
She crawled out of the fort and over to where Ethan sat on the sofa. Which had no cushions on it.
“Is that comfortable?” she asked.
“It’s fine. Baby, why are you crawling? What’s wrong?”
“I just . . . I feel like I’m . . . the thoughts won’t stop.”
He set aside his laptop, looking concerned. “Baby, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have left you in there alone. I thought you might like some time to relax with your book. Come here.”
Ethan patted his lap.
But she shook her head. His forehead started to wrinkle.
“Baby?”
“I have another idea,” she blurted out. “Could I . . . while you’re working . . . could I, um, suck on you?”