Total pages in book: 40
Estimated words: 40942 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 205(@200wpm)___ 164(@250wpm)___ 136(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 40942 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 205(@200wpm)___ 164(@250wpm)___ 136(@300wpm)
“No,” he replied.
Harry cleared his throat. “Sounds like the two of you have some things to talk through.”
“I’ll say,” Kiesha said. “He thinks she’s his girl. She thinks she’s looking for a Daddy. Are you a Daddy, Stafford? I always got a bit of a vibe.”
“I don’t think that’s our business,” Harry told Kiesha.
“Well, of course it is. I have to know what is going on. I’m the expert on Wishingbone society.”
“That’s her way of saying she likes to listen to gossip,” Harry said dryly.
“So, are you going to tell us what’s going on?” Kiesha asked.
“I like you, Kiesha,” Stafford said as he took hold of Blakely’s hand. “But it’s really none of your business. Now, if you’ll excuse us, I need to talk to Blakely.”
“Is that all right with Blakely?” Harry asked. “Do you want to go with Stafford? Do you feel safe with him?”
“Of course she’s safe with me!” Stafford snarled. “What are you trying to insinuate? That I would harm her?”
“You walked into The Wishing Well, threatened Aiden, and then picked her up and carried her out. And you weren’t going to stop to let us check on her. So I’m going to check on her now and you’re going to let me,” Harry said firmly.
Whoa.
Harry could really bring out the Dominant when he wanted to.
“Wow. That was sexy,” Kiesha told him.
“Glad you think so,” he told her. “Remember that when I’m punishing you later for running out without telling me where you were going.”
“What?” Kiesha cried. “Nooo. I was trying to save a friend.”
“You still ran off without me,” Harry told her. “And that’s not allowed. You could have put yourself in danger and I won’t ever allow that.”
Blakely sighed. Lord, she was so happy Kiesha had that with Harry.
And totally jealous that she didn’t have that sort of relationship.
16
Stafford opened the passenger door of his truck. Grabbing Blakely around the waist, he lifted her in.
He drew her seatbelt over her and buckled her in. Just like the other time she’d ridden in his truck. Only it felt different this time.
“What’s happening?” she muttered as he tugged at the seatbelt, checking it.
“I’m driving you back home. Where you belong.”
Where she belonged? But it wasn’t her home.
He situated the seatbelt between her breasts, his hand brushing against her nipple. A shiver of arousal ran through her.
“Is something wrong with the seatbelt?” she asked in a slightly breathless voice.
“Just making sure it’s safe,” he said gruffly. “Special cargo.” He shut the door before she could comment.
Special cargo?
She really, really didn’t know what was going on.
Why would he call himself her boyfriend? Why follow her to The Wishing Well and carry her out after threatening Aiden like that?
Had he changed his mind about them being together?
Blakely snuck glances at him as he got in and started up his truck. She couldn’t help but watch his hands as he drove. They were strong and tanned.
Sexy.
“What about my car?” she asked. “Shouldn’t I drive it home?”
“I’ll send someone to get it tomorrow. I don’t want you driving at night.”
Oh.
“You’ve gone quiet. I thought you’d have more questions,” he said. “Or arguments.”
“I don’t really know what to say. I don’t know what’s going on.”
And she was afraid that she’d gotten this all wrong.
Maybe he wanted her back at the ranch because Grandpa Jack needed her.
“Is Grandpa Jack okay?” she asked worriedly. “Should you have left him alone? Does he need me?”
“Grandpa is fine,” he said. “He can stay by himself for a while. That’s not why I came after you.”
“It’s not? Then why?”
“I deserve that,” he said, shaking his head.
“Deserve what?”
“I didn’t come for you for Grandpa Jack. I came for you.”
Stafford could still see that asshole’s hand on hers.
Anger, unlike anything he’d felt before, had filled him and if she hadn’t been sitting right there, he’d likely have punched the other guy.
Fuck. He needed to calm down.
He couldn’t afford to get arrested right now.
But Blakely needed to learn who she belonged to. And belonging to him meant that no other man got to touch her.
Or look at her.
Talk to her.
All right. Perhaps he needed to rein his possessiveness in a bit. He’d make exceptions for some men.
Like Grandpa Jack.
Yeah, Grandpa Jack could talk to her.
“For me?” she whispered.
“Yes. For you. I came to get you because you have no business going to some damn speed-dating night. What were you thinking? You could have met some creep.”
“I could meet a creep anywhere,” she said. “There might have been a creep in the bar or the grocery store. It’s not easy out there, meeting people. Especially when you’re looking for a Daddy. A kind, caring Daddy is hard to find. Although, there’s an unusual number of Daddies here. Must be something in the water. It would be nice to find someone to love me, to put me first, who will take care of me and who I can look after too. Is that wrong?”