Total pages in book: 54
Estimated words: 50402 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 252(@200wpm)___ 202(@250wpm)___ 168(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 50402 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 252(@200wpm)___ 202(@250wpm)___ 168(@300wpm)
“I’m never letting you go, Little girl.”
“Okay, Daddy. Wow! That does get easier,” she marveled before adding, “Daddy? I have to pee.”
“Go, Emerald Eyes. It’s time to get up. Start thinking about how we can make love without rattling your head,” he said, easing off and allowing Ivy to scoot off the mattress.
“Make love?” she echoed before squeezing her legs together and running for the bathroom.
By the time she and her red-hot cheeks emerged from the bathroom, Steele was already up and easing his jeans closed over his morning erection. That didn’t help her blush at all. She froze in the doorway.
“Come on, big eyes. Let’s get you dressed and grab some breakfast. Got anything you’d like to do while I work today?”
“I wish I had my phone,” she mumbled, trying to say something as he stalked forward. The view of his bare chest just kept getting better with each step he took.
“No electronics.”
“Maybe the doctor didn’t mean for a full week. A glance couldn’t hurt,” she suggested.
“No electronics, Little girl.”
His commanding tone made her bristle. “You know, you really don’t get to make all the rules.”
“The doctor set out that rule. I’m just enforcing it,” Steele corrected as he halted in front of her. His gaze fixed on her face, and Ivy knew he watched her reaction closely.
“Fine. I’d like to go get my car today. I have an extra set of keys at my house. Maybe Carlee or Remi could take me over there.”
“I’ll drive you after work. There are still guys out there who threatened you. I’ll call the police today to check on the progress of picking them up. Until they find them or I find them, you’ll have a Shadowridge Guardian escort.”
At the mere mention of the guys who had attacked her, Ivy’s rebellion evaporated. “Surely they’ve given up now.”
When he didn’t answer, Ivy whispered, “Why did they target me?”
“I don’t know, Little girl, but they made a huge mistake.”
“Maybe I don’t want my car,” she said.
“It shouldn’t sit in the parking lot. We’ll go get it this evening and bring it to the compound.”
“Okay.”
“Let’s get you dressed. As cute as you look in my shirt, I think you’ll be more comfortable in a few more layers.”
With no fuss, Steele helped her dress. When she was ready, he steered her into the bathroom and carefully brushed her hair. Ivy had avoided taming her wild tresses because of the bruising on one side of her head. Steele was patient and finessed all the snarls and tangles away.
“That feels so much better,” she sighed gratefully.
“I’m glad. I won’t braid it or put it into a ponytail like you usually wear it until your scalp is less sore.”
“How do you know I usually wear a ponytail?”
“That’s how you’d styled your hair before being wrapped in a sack.”
“You are very observant,” she wryly commented.
“Some people are that important. Let’s go.”
When she resisted, Steele turned to look at her. “What’s wrong, Little girl?”
“I need something to do. I can’t just hang around all day—I’ll go batty.”
“Let’s stop at the play area. Maybe you’ll find something there to help pass the time.”
“There’s a play area. You mean like for kids?” she asked skeptically.
“Don’t knock it until you look. You can also learn how to work on a bike if you’d like. One of the guys will let you help them with a simple job.”
“I’m not very mechanical.”
“Faust will teach you,” Steele assured her.
“Isn’t he the guy that’s always mad?” she asked nervously.
“He’s a good guy. I can always depend on him. You can, too.”
“O-Okay.”
CHAPTER
NINE
Steele made a stop at an open area close to the kitchen. When he flipped the light on, Ivy’s jaw dropped open as she stepped inside. There were books of different genres and types lining one wall. She spotted one section containing the paperbacks of a few books she recognized. Ivy had found those when she’d searched online for Daddies and Littles. But there were more she’d never seen. In addition, there were jigsaw puzzles to put together, board games, coloring books, and other activities.
“Choose a couple of things to take with you into the garage,” Steele suggested. “You can always come back in and swap them.”
Not wishing to rush to the books that really interested her, Ivy selected a book by a mystery writer she recognized. She also picked up a small paint-by-number kit. “Can I do this in the garage?”
“Of course. We’ll find space for you at a table or the desk,” Steele answered.
Holding her selections to her chest, Ivy eagerly followed him to the door that led to the garage. At the entrance, Steele fit the pink ear protectors she’d worn yesterday back over her head. She watched his lips carefully to understand what he said.
“Read or paint first?”
“Paint,” she requested.
Within moments, he had her set up on the corner of the front desk. She watched people come in to drop off their bikes for repair. The variety of people who rode bikes—rough biker-looking guys to clean-cut executive types—intrigued Ivy. All were friendly and wished her a good morning.