Total pages in book: 173
Estimated words: 174632 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 873(@200wpm)___ 699(@250wpm)___ 582(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 174632 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 873(@200wpm)___ 699(@250wpm)___ 582(@300wpm)
“You will be.” He let out a deep breath. “Maybe we better stick to a sandwich airplane.”
“It might be best, Daddy.”
After she’d eaten as much as she could, he got up. “I’m going to run you a bath and change the sheets while you’re in it.”
She made a face. “I’m sorry you have to take care of me.”
“That’s another punishment,” he told her sternly, picking up the notebook and writing something in it.
Assbaboons. She was going to be in so much trouble once they started punishing her again.
Forty minutes later, she was sitting in a fresh pair of pajamas on a clean bed while Ian sat behind her, brushing her hair.
The lightweight pajamas were new. A pale silver that she really liked with soft lace at the cuffs of the bottoms and the hem of the top.
The top was a shirt-style with buttons. They were sweet but also a bit sexy.
“I like these pajamas, Daddy,” she told him.
“Good. I’ll get you a pair in every color.”
She stiffened. “I don’t expect you to buy me things.”
He turned her around so she was facing him. Cupping her chin, he tilted her head back. “Let’s make something clear. Jack and I have some money. We’re not billionaires, but we’re comfortable. And all that money was accumulated to take care of our woman when we found her. That woman is you. We will use our money to do whatever we want to look after you. No arguments.”
She sighed but left it alone. “Where is Jack?” It wasn’t like him to leave her alone for long. Especially since she’d been rescued.
“He’s, uh, sleeping.”
“Good, he needs his sleep. I can tell he’s stressed.” He’d spent most of his time just staring at her.
“How are you feeling now, Little girl?”
“I’m a mess. And not just because of this.” She rubbed her temple. “Because of so many things.”
He ran a finger down her cheek. “Does any of that have anything to do with the patches of hair that you’re missing?”
She sucked in a sharp breath. “Oh God, they’re obvious?”
“Only because I’ve done your hair a few times. Are you losing your hair? Is something . . . are you sick?”
Monkeyballs. He sounded so concerned that she knew she had to tell him.
“No. I’m not sick.” She sucked in a breath. “I, um. Sometimes . . . I get overwhelmed. It’s all too much, and I . . . I pull my hair out.”
The silence was too much.
“You think I’m crazy, don’t you?” she blurted out.
“No, Little girl. Hey, listen to me. No.” It was said in a firm voice. “But I do not like that you’re so anxious you hurt yourself. That is something we will need to address.”
Along with all of her other issues.
She didn’t say that out loud, though.
“I think I want a nap.”
“Do you want me to nap with you, Little girl?”
“No. I . . . I feel slightly overwhelmed. Sorry. I just need some space for a bit.”
Ian didn’t look entirely happy but he nodded. “I just want you to promise me something first. The next time you feel overwhelmed, like you need to pull your hair out, you’ll come to me or Jack. Promise?”
“Are you going to tell him?”
“Do you want to tell him yourself?” he countered.
“No. I’d rather you do it.”
“Okay. I’ll do it. We are here to take care of you. Use us however you need to. All right?”
“Love you, Daddy.”
“Love you too, Little girl.”
54
Maggie couldn’t sleep.
She felt exhausted. Drained. But every time she closed her eyes, she saw Jameson. He’d helped crack the shield she’d put around herself, then he’d walk away and let Ian step in.
That can’t have been easy.
And she couldn’t stop thinking about him . . . the things she wanted to talk to him about.
Climbing out of bed, she knew she had to see him now. She glanced at the monitor on the nightstand. Hopefully, Ian and Jack weren’t watching. They needed their sleep. She was frankly surprised that Jack had left her.
Would Ian tell Jack about her hair pulling?
Monkeyballs.
What a mess she was.
She made her way slowly down the stairs, holding on tight to the railing, her legs trembling.
Jameson was sitting with his laptop in the dining area. He looked up briefly, then did a double take.
“Maggie! How did you get down here?” He stood up and in his haste he knocked his chair over. He looked flustered and unsure as he rushed over to her.
She wasn’t used to seeing him like this and somehow, it actually made her feel better. Seeing that he was human.
He hovered around her, not touching her as she moved to the table. But he quickly slid around to pull out a chair for her.
“Thanks,” she said.
“Did Ian carry you down the stairs?” he asked, pouring her a glass of water.