Total pages in book: 110
Estimated words: 111359 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 557(@200wpm)___ 445(@250wpm)___ 371(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 111359 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 557(@200wpm)___ 445(@250wpm)___ 371(@300wpm)
Nope, after a dinner of smashed potatoes, steak and corn on the cob, he’d ordered her back to lying on the couch.
After wrapping a blanket around her, he’d laid down between her and the back of the couch, his arm over her waist. Eventually, she’d relaxed and lost the blanket since the man was like a furnace.
Only problem was, he’d now succumbed to the power of the sofa and fallen asleep.
And she needed to pee.
She tried to squeeze out from under his heavy arm, but he just tightened his hold on her.
Shoot. She rolled onto her back, just managing not to fall off the sofa, then attempted to slide again.
He grabbed hold of her arm. He didn’t hold her hard, but there was no getting free.
“Rats,” she whispered.
Even when he was asleep, he was basically bossing her around. Telling her where he wanted her.
Which was apparently here on the couch with him.
If only her bladder agreed. She was close to peeing herself.
She shuffled toward the edge of the couch.
“Where do you think you’re going?”
“Shh, go back to sleep. I just need the bathroom.”
“I don’t want you to go. You’re my snuggle buddy.”
She’d like to be more than just a snuggle buddy.
Hannah sucked in a breath. What was she going to do when he went back to the ranch? She was so used to him in the apartment now. Letting him stay with her had probably been a stupid idea. Because she was attached to him now . . . and she was going to be lonely without him.
It’s for the best, though.
You need to get back to reality. Life with Raid Malone looking after you isn’t real.
Nope, it was definitely her fantasy come to life.
“I need to use the bathroom, though.”
“Too much coffee.”
“Too much water,” she countered. “Someone keeps shoving it down my throat.”
“You don’t like things shoved down your throat?”
“No.”
“Too bad.”
There was a beat of silence. Then she felt her cheeks growing hot as she realized what he was saying.
Jeez Louise.
Was he trying to kill her?
“Raid, let me go before I pee myself.”
All of a sudden, he sat up and brought her with him. A squeal escaped her at the movement before she could stop herself. He stared down at her. “Not going to hurt you.”
“I know.” And she did. But some things were instinctive. “You just moved so quickly. I wasn’t expecting it.”
He grunted. He still looked half asleep. “The power of the sofa got me, didn’t it?”
“Um, yep.”
“Thought so. It’s a powerful thing. I’m gonna pick you up now.”
“What?” she gasped as he stood with her in his arms and started walking. “What are you doing?”
“Taking you to pee.”
“I don’t . . . I don’t need you to carry me.”
“But I want to.” He set her down in the bathroom.
“You can’t always do what you want,” she informed him.
“Can’t I?” He turned her toward the toilet and swatted her ass.
“Hey! You can’t smack my butt whenever you like, either.”
“Guardian!” he sang before he shut the door behind him.
Darn it. If he wasn’t so cute, she would want to wipe that smug look off his face.
“You peeing in there, darlin’? Or just plotting ways to murder me?”
Urgh.
Yep. Lucky he was so cute.
21
“Right, you ready to go?” Raid asked as he looked her up and down on Wednesday morning. She’d wanted to go back to work yesterday, but he’d insisted she wait another day.
Bossy bastard.
She waited for him to say something about her outfit, but he simply held out his hand to her.
Instead of wearing all black or gray today, she’d put on one of her old skirts. Sure, it was still long, but she’d often worn long skirts. And it was a light blue with white daisies on it.
Maybe it didn’t exactly go with the black shirt she had on, but it had made her feel happy when she put it on.
And she hadn’t had that in a long time.
“Uh, yes. You didn’t have to wait for me. I know you start early on the ranch.”
“Baby, you’ve lived with me for several days now. What do you know about me?”
“Well, let’s see, you’re arrogant, you’re bossy, you sometimes snore, you don’t like hearing the word no, and you really like watching sport on TV, drinking beer, and eating steak.”
He stared down at her for a long moment.
“Oh, and you eat a lot. Seriously. A lot.” She was pleased with herself.
“You’re lucky you’re cute,” he muttered.
“Funny, that’s what I’ve always thought about you.” She felt smug about that.
But instead of looking disgruntled, he appeared amused. “You think I’m cute?”
“What . . . that’s not . . . I was trying to point out what a pain in the butt you are.”
“All I heard was that you think I’m cute.” He grinned. “Now, hand over your bag.”
She glanced from the bag she was holding, then over at his hand. The bag only had a book, her lunch, and a jumper. Why would she need him to carry it?