Total pages in book: 103
Estimated words: 103356 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 517(@200wpm)___ 413(@250wpm)___ 345(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 103356 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 517(@200wpm)___ 413(@250wpm)___ 345(@300wpm)
Tanner turned to her. “You are not doing this. I forbid it.”
“You can’t forbid this.”
“I can forbid it. And if you even think of doing it, I’m going to spank you until you can’t sit for a month!”
Her gaze narrowed. “I’m doing it.”
“Over my dead fucking body.”
Lilac sighed as she watched Tanner pace back and forth.
After their argument in Alec’s office, he’d picked her up and carried her upstairs to the bedroom. And she’d let him because she knew he needed that.
He had to protect her.
But if this was the best opportunity, they had to take Stefan out, then she wanted to take it.
She had to. And she couldn’t let Tanner stand in her way.
He’d made her get into bed, telling her that she needed a nap.
But there was no way she could sleep when there was so much tension between them. But Tanner hadn’t left. He just kept pacing, thinking, muttering to himself.
“I feel bad for doing something that you obviously don’t like when I know you’re just trying to protect me.” She rubbed her belly. “I don’t want to argue with you. Or have you upset with me.”
“Fuck.”
He closed his eyes, looking pained. “I don’t want you to do this.”
“I know. But I think it’s the best idea we have. And you’ll make sure that I’m okay.”
“I promised you that you wouldn’t go within ten feet of him.” Opening his eyes, she saw the pain in them. The agony.
God, maybe she was wrong. Perhaps she shouldn’t do this.
“If I allow you to do this, then you do everything you are told, understand me?”
“I understand,” she whispered. “I’m sorry, Tanner. I’m not doing this to hurt you. Or upset you.”
“I know, baby. Fuck, I know.” He sat, facing her. Cupping her face, he gave her a stern look. “But you will obey every order. And you will not get hurt.”
“I promise.”
He drew her to him, rocking her back and forth.
“I love you, baby. Nothing can happen to you.”
“It won’t.” God, she hoped nothing went wrong.
Pulling back, he kissed her gently. “You need to nap.”
“I need something else more.”
He raised his eyebrows, giving her a stern look. “You’ve already had your wicked way with me today. Restrain yourself.”
Dear Lord. She rolled her eyes at him. “Not that. I, uh, I think maybe you need something else and so do I.” She moved from the blankets and placed herself awkwardly over his lap.
He rubbed her ass. “You want me to spank you?”
She wouldn’t say want. But she thought that perhaps it would help the guilt in her stomach.
“I think it would help me feel better. And you, as well.”
“I’m not your brother, I won’t harm you.”
She turned to look up at him in shock. “I could never see you as my brother. Ever.”
He swallowed heavily. “Good. Because all I want is to protect you.”
“I know you do. This has nothing to do with Stefan. I promise.”
“Good. But I’m not going to spank you now. You’re still recuperating.”
“I wasn’t sick, Tanner. I’m not ill or injured. Please.”
He sighed and lowered her panties. He’d taken her jeans off when he’d put her to bed for a nap. “This won’t be hard or long. Because you’re not at a hundred percent. But I will wallop your ass after this is all over for putting yourself in danger. Understand me? You agreed to this plan, but you agree, knowing your butt will not sit comfortably for a week.”
“I agree.”
“Safeword?”
“Scotch,” she replied. The word was barely out of her mouth before his hand landed.
When he said it wasn’t going to be hard or long, she misunderstood, thinking it would be soft and quick.
It wasn’t.
Yeah, it didn’t last for too long, but when he finished, her ass was definitely hot, and she knew she’d be feeling it the rest of the day. She didn’t cry, but her breath was choppy as he turned her over and held her on his lap.
“I love you, baby. So, fucking much. Nothing can happen to you. Nothing.”
48
Today was the day and Lilac was so fucking nervous. She’d been awake all night, unable to sleep.
Tanner had tried to wear her out, giving her three orgasms with his mouth. But it hadn’t helped. Her mind had kept going over everything that could go wrong.
Now it was five in the morning and Tanner was heading out with Maddox, Butch, and Raid to the meeting point. West and Alec were going with her later. Beau and Jaret were staying with all the women and children. Along with Victor Malone and the men he’d brought with him.
He was kind of a scary guy. Silent. Huge. But everyone seemed to trust him to take care of things here.
Alec had called Stefan yesterday afternoon and made all the arrangements for this morning.
It made her shiver, thinking about Stefan, wondering if he was close by.