Total pages in book: 54
Estimated words: 50753 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 254(@200wpm)___ 203(@250wpm)___ 169(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 50753 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 254(@200wpm)___ 203(@250wpm)___ 169(@300wpm)
Sliding off his thighs, she whispered, “Can I have a rain check for that?”
The heat in his eyes blazed hotter. She knew she was in for it when he got his hands on her in private. “You’re playing with fire, Little girl.”
“I can’t wait. Go back to the shop, Blade. I’m fine here. I’ll call if I need you.”
“You sure, Blue Eyes?”
“Definitely. I’ll send you text updates,” she promised.
“Go help your customers. When I can stand without knocking things over, I’ll take off.”
“Without knocking things over?” she repeated and scanned his body, trying to pinpoint what the problem was. Her gaze landed on his lap. “Oh!”
“Don’t stare at it, minx. You’re going to make it worse,” he growled.
Giggling happily, she winked at him and headed over to take care of her customers. When she checked back a while later, the stool was empty. Sapphire missed him immediately.
Thankfully, the shop was busy. Time flew by. Sapphire had never been so grateful that Monday was one of her short days—and that was saying something.
She stood studying the exterior on the new camera for several minutes after she’d closed the shop. It was taking all her courage to walk outside. Finally, she wanted to get home so badly, Sapphire risked it. Opening the door into the artificially lit area, she stepped out.
Sapphire scanned the area and froze when she saw a man bracing his muscular butt on her car. “Couldn’t you have stood in the light? That would have made it easier for me to come out of that back entrance.”
Blade pushed away from the car and walked forward to hug her. “You’ll find it less difficult tomorrow and less scary the time after that. Soon, you’ll remember but not allow yourself to react. Eventually, you’ll forget until you’re on your way home….”
“Do you think that will happen?”
“Someday. There’s no timeline. Trauma takes a while to fade.”
“How did you get so smart?” Sapphire asked before pressing a kiss to his neck.
“I might have had a few negative encounters over the years. We should work on that idea of Ivy’s to create something beautiful that has a hidden defense component,” Blade suggested.
“I actually drew a few sketches today. I’d love to get your opinion of them—I don’t think I’ve come up with a really good idea yet.” Sapphire realized she’d forgotten where she was and how frightened she should be back here. “How do you make things so much better?”
“We’re good together, Sapphire. I’ll always be there for you,” he promised, bringing tears to her eyes.
She swallowed hard before blurting, “I love you.”
His lips widened in a breathtaking smile. “I love you too, Little girl.” He pressed a soft kiss to her lips before deepening it.
Savoring his taste, Sapphire responded with all the emotions inside her. She wiggled closer, erasing the space between their bodies. His arm tightened around her waist, and one hand smoothed over her lower back to cup her bottom. Desire flared inside her. That hand lifted her to press her pelvis to his. Feeling the proof of his arousal, Sapphire wanted more.
She ripped her mouth away from his. “I need you, Blade.”
“Let’s go inside, Blue Eyes.”
Their previous conversation zinged into her mind. He wouldn’t. “The workbench?”
“I can’t wait to see you stretched over it. Your sweet ass and pussy on display. Are you wet, Sapphire?”
“Drenched,” she admitted, rubbing her mound against his thick erection.
“You have one job, Little girl. If our play scares you, tell me. Don’t hesitate. Tell me. Promise.”
“Yes,” she said, understanding even as their passion exploded, he wanted to take care of her. “You have my word.”
“Get the key,” he demanded.
She loved his urgency. Digging in her pocket, she fumbled for her keys. Blade plucked them from her hand and quickly dealt with the lock. He swept her inside, secured the reinforced door behind them, and dropped the keys to the floor to free his hands.
He leaned over and scooped her up over his shoulder before she realized what he was up to.
“Blade!” she protested.
He answered with a sharp spank to her bottom without slowing. “Daddy.”
Navigating through the darkness, he carried her through the crowded storage area at the rear of the store. His movements were sure and quick, as if he had the night vision of a predator. The shop area was lit with the last rays of sunshine filtering through the display window’s security shutters.
Unable to resist the rounded butt in front of her eyes, Sapphire swatted it, only to shake her hand to deal with the resulting sting. “Damn that’s hard.”
“You, Little girl, are in big trouble,” he growled, not faltering a step as he approached her design area.
The world spun around her as he set her back on her feet. She clutched his leather vest to stabilize herself. “Sorry?”
“No, you’re not. But you will be,” he said confidently as his hands ripped her T-shirt off and tossed it away.