Total pages in book: 110
Estimated words: 111278 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 556(@200wpm)___ 445(@250wpm)___ 371(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 111278 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 556(@200wpm)___ 445(@250wpm)___ 371(@300wpm)
It had been his job to show her that there was more to life than work. He’d given up on her.
Dominic wouldn’t do that.
Heck, if he didn’t get through by talking to her, he’d just lay down a few rules.
And enforce those rules with some trips over his knee. If anyone needed a spanking, it was this girl. The way she so casually made self-deprecating comments about herself told him all he needed to know about what went on in her head.
Her lead foot, the way she didn’t take care of herself, even the fact that she had traveled that far on her own.
Nope. He didn’t like any of it.
And he knew that if she was his, she wouldn’t be speeding or doing anything dangerous again because he’d be sure to give her a hell of a spanking if she did. And she wouldn’t travel out of the state on her own. He really didn’t like the idea of her in a hotel room alone at night.
“Do you have one of those special locks that stops people getting into your room?” he asked.
“What? No! Oh my God, do you think someone’s going to break into my hotel room? No, that’s crazy. Except . . .”
“Except what?” he asked sharply. Had someone tried? That was it, she was coming back to the ranch with him. She wasn’t safe.
And it was his job to make sure she was.
Shit. These feelings she stirred in him were strong and sudden.
“Well, you found me, didn’t you? And that receptionist confirmed that I was there. What’s to stop her from letting other stalkers know where I am?”
“You have other stalkers?”
Actually, wait. That didn’t come out quite right.
“No, I don’t think so. You’re the only creeper following me around and trying to lure me to your truck with the promise of candy.”
“Um, is everything okay here?”
She turned, glancing up into the face of a well-built, stern-looking man with short hair peppered with gray.
“Yes, of course.”
Dominic sighed. “Gwen, this is Ed Granger, the sheriff of Wishingbone. Ed, that wasn’t quite how it sounded. I am not her stalker.”
“He did try to lure me into his truck with candy, though,” Gwen said.
“Gwen,” he said firmly.
“What?” She gave him an innocent look before taking a sip of her drink. “Ooh, this is good.”
He leaned in to whisper to her. “You’re racking up the punishments, Little girl. Now, tell the truth, before I take you out the back and give you the first spanking.”
“A spanking stalker. That’s all I need,” she muttered.
“Ma’am? Are you all right? Dominic isn’t hassling you, is he?”
Dom sent Ed a sharp look. On the one hand, he was grateful that someone was watching out for her other than him. But did Ed seriously think he would do that?
“Oh my God. Did you really just ma’am me as well? You’re number six.”
“Number six?” Dominic asked. “How is he ahead of me?”
“Oh, you’re off the list now.”
“I am? Why?” he asked.
“You threatened to spank me!”
Unfortunately, there was a lull in the noise in the bar right as she said that, and several people turned to them.
“Go Dominic!” Loki yelled out. “Don’t worry, doll. I can tell he’s an excellent spanker, but if he doesn’t do a good job, you just come find Loki.”
“Loki!” Ed barked. “Enough.”
“Dear. Lord,” Gwen muttered, her face bright red as she attempted to slip off the stool.
Heck, no.
“Oh no, you don’t.” He put his arm over her. “You are not running off on me again. Stay there.”
“But half the bar just heard me say that you spank me!”
“Actually, you said that I threatened to,” Dom told her, giving her a firm look. “No. Running.”
“I wouldn’t worry,” Ed said. “Half of this bar is spanked on a regular basis.”
“What? Really?” she asked, staring up at the sheriff.
“Yep, and the other half does the spanking.” He winked at her. “You’re staying here in Wishingbone?”
“Um, yes. I am.”
“Hmm, my deputy has pulled over a visitor today and yesterday for speeding and safety violations. Said she was red-haired. You wouldn’t know anything about that, would you?”
“I’m sure I don’t, Sheriff.”
“Gwen,” Dom warned. He wasn’t about to let her lie.
Ed shot his gaze to Dominic, looking amused, before he gave Gwen a stern look. “I don’t want to hear of any more traffic violations, understand? I take the safety of my citizens very seriously.”
“I wasn’t putting anyone’s life in danger,” Gwen said weakly.
“I was talking about you as well. As long as you’re staying here, you’re one of mine.” Ed grabbed his drink and headed back to his table. Which happened to be the table behind Kiesha’s. All of the men usually sat there while their women kicked ass in the quiz. Hmm, he still didn’t see Juliet or Brick or Xavier.
“Did he really mean that or is that something he just says?” she asked.