Total pages in book: 37
Estimated words: 35740 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 179(@200wpm)___ 143(@250wpm)___ 119(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 35740 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 179(@200wpm)___ 143(@250wpm)___ 119(@300wpm)
“Colt? I think someone might be following me. There’s been a truck behind me for a while.”
“Yeah. I know.”
Pause. “What do you mean, you know?”
“I mean it’s me, baby girl.”
“You’re following me?”
“I’m escorting you. There’s a difference.”
“Like a good and proper stalker should.”
“What? You think I’d let you drive up a mountain in a storm by yourself? Not happening.”
“You could have just told me you were in town. I would have come to the station. I told you I would.”
“I like seeing you in my house. Besides, too many eyes and wagging tongues at the station. One thing most people don’t know about law enforcement, they love gossip almost as much as they love coffee.”
The soft snicker that comes through the speaker squeezes around my heart.
“Now, just pay attention, I’ll be right here.”
By the time she pulls into my driveway, the rain’s coming in sideways and the trees are bending like they’re ready to snap. I’m out of my truck and on her before she even kills the engine.
She bolts for the steps, but she’s soaked through before she even makes it halfway. I grab her around the waist and haul her under the overhang.
“Jesus, baby girl.” She’s trembling, jacket plastered to her body. “That got bad fast.”
I drag her inside, grab a towel from the hook, and wrap it around her shoulders. She’s shaking like a leaf, water dripping off her lashes. Her wet clothes cling to every soft curve, every inch of her that I’ve been trying so damn hard not to touch.
“You’re not driving back down tonight.” My dick clearly takes control, sick and tired of my cock blocking him from the one girl that’s put him on high alert in years.
Her head jerks up. “What?”
“Look outside. The road’ll be a washout within an hour.”
She stares at the window like she’s trying to find a reason to argue. Trees are bent horizontal. Rain’s smacking the glass hard enough to rattle it.
“I can’t stay here.” She shakes her head, her hair falling out of that crazy bun on top of her head, framing the face I want to decorate with my cum.
“Why not?”
“I just... I don’t have anything with me. No clothes, no—”
“I’ve got clothes. One bed, but I’ll take the couch.”
Her cheeks flush. “Colt—”
“Not a request, baby girl. You’re staying.”
Thunder crashes overhead, so loud she jumps.
“Hey.” I close the space between us, steadying her. “Just noise.”
“I know.” Her voice is soft. “Storms make me nervous.”
It’s more than that. I can see it in her eyes. In the way her arms are wrapped around herself, tight like she’s holding something in.
I don’t push.
“Come on. Let’s get you warm.”
I lead her to the couch and wrap her in about ten blankets then step over to stoke the fire. Outside, the storm whips up a frenzy matching the one she’s whipping up down in my crotch. Inside, she’s a soft bundle of limbs and wool, curled into my couch like she belongs there.
“Better?” I ask.
She nods, peeking out from under the blankets. “Thank you.”
Another solid clap of thunder cracks overhead, and she flinches again. This time, I don’t wait. I lower onto the couch next to her, tugging her into my chest, looping an arm across her middle, the other across her chest.
“I’ve got you,” I breathe with my lips near her ear. “You’re safe with Daddy.”
She sighs and sinks into me and the relief I feel in her body gives me a satisfaction I haven’t felt in so long.
When’s the last time I wanted to do this? Just sit here and let a woman feel safe just by being held, breathing the same air.
Never, if I’m being honest.
There’ve been women, yeah. Not nearly as many as town gossip would like to think. I’m known as the player of the Boone brothers and I never fought the title. I didn’t really earn it either, but one thing you learn growing up in small towns, people talk shit. Mostly made-up shit just to pass the time.
Wildfire is no different.
“Colt?” Her voice is barely there.
“Yeah, baby girl?”
“What did you mean when you said I’m safe with Daddy?”
I go still.
Because answering means trying to figure it out for myself.
“It means I take care of everything,” I push my mouth against her damp hair. “You don’t have to worry about a damn thing. You get to be soft. You get to rest. Chase your dreams. Have fun. Know that someone always, fucking always has your back. And I’ll protect you from everything. Even yourself, if I have to.”
She’s quiet for a beat.
“That’s... a lot.”
“That’s nothing, baby girl.” I cup her face gently, brushing my thumb across her cheek. “That’s just the beginning. You’re a fucking firecracker, babe, don’t get me wrong, I want to do all those things for you, but I also want to do other things. Pure filth and fucking fantasy, but I want to start here. Where we are. I want you to trust me. I don’t remember ever wanting that before.”