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)
“This is not a joke, Little girl. And you best prepare yourself for a very red ass when I get home.”
“That shouldn’t be hot,” she whispered.
“Oh, your bottom will be seriously hot. Tell me. Start with what happened in the parking lot of the 7-11 and why you thought it was okay to run into danger and not away?”
“He was hurting her, Dom,” she whispered.
He closed his eyes, hearing the pain and fear in her voice. It was killing him not to be there with her right now. To comfort her. To tell her that she was safe.
“I know, baby. I know.”
“I didn’t know what else to do. I couldn’t run away. He shoved her and she fell on the ground. I just . . .”
He could hear her fast pants and knew she was reliving what had happened.
“Darling girl, listen to me. Are you sitting down?” He made his voice low and soothing. Right now, she didn’t need a stern talking to. She needed some love and care.
“I . . . I . . . no.”
“Right, I want you to walk over to the chair or bed, whichever is closest and sit down, okay? Can you do that for me, baby?”
“I . . . I think so.”
“Tell me when you’re sitting down.”
“I’m sitting.” Her voice was getting thready, and he hoped like hell she wasn’t going to pass out.
“That’s a good girl. You’re listening so well. I’m proud of you.”
“All I did was sit, Dom,” she said with a bit of her customary spirit.
Okay, now he could breathe a bit easier.
“That’s it, baby. Now, I want you to look around and tell me five things you can see.”
“Dom,” she whined.
“Five things, Little girl. Now.” He injected plenty of sternness into his voice.
“Um, a TV. A chair. A window. My suitcase. And a really terrible painting.”
“That’s it, darling girl. Now four things you can touch.”
“The phone.”
“That’s it. And the others.”
“The bed. My clothes. My cheek.”
“Good job. Three things you can hear.”
“You.”
“Anything else.”
“Uh, no. I don’t . . . wait, my heartbeat.”
“Good job. You’re doing so well, and I am so proud of you. Anything else?”
“I think . . . a truck outside. That’s all.”
“That’s a good girl. What can you feel? Three things.”
“The phone. The bed covers. My clothes.”
“That’s it. Two things you can smell?”
“My shampoo. A weird cleaning product.”
“Good girl. Are you breathing better?”
“Yes. Thank you. Sorry.”
“Nothing to be sorry about. Well, other than the fact that you didn’t tell me what was going on and I had to hear about it from other people.”
“You’re working.”
“Gwen. We are going around in circles. Tell me what happened? Why did you even stop?”
“I needed something from the 7-11.”
“What could you have possibly needed that was worth stopping at that time of night,” he grumbled.
“Um, well . . . shoot. I got my period.”
He sucked in a breath. “Baby. Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I’m meant to tell you? But it’s not a big deal.”
No. But he wanted to know everything about her. And that included if she was having cramps or just needed a good cuddle.
“I want to know anything that affects your health and well-being, darling girl. Are you sore? Cramps? Do you need anything?”
Fuck. He wished he was there. If the stomach flu wasn’t going through Sanctuary Ranch right now and taking everyone out, he would be on the next plane back to her.
“I . . . no one has ever cared if I needed anything during my period.”
He was betting few people had ever asked her if she needed anything.
“It’s . . . uh, well . . .”
“You can tell me.” He knew they were off topic, but he wanted her to know that there was nothing big or small that she couldn’t tell him. “Trust me.”
“I do,” she whispered. “I really do. That’s what is scary. I miss you, but it just seems strange. Because this is all so quick, Dom. I’m just not really used to leaning on anyone, and I know I said I wanted to explore my Little side. To have you take charge. But I’m scared as well. Of being hurt when you walk away.”
Shit. This was the most vulnerable and honest she’d ever been with him. And he was thousands of miles away, babysitting an actress who was getting death threats.
Admittedly, she was a really sweet girl. Could barely talk or look at him. But she was kind and thoughtful. Which is something he couldn’t say about all of his clients.
“Listen to me. I know you think these fears are valid, and I am not trying to diminish them. But I am not walking away, darling girl. I know I’m not there in person, but I am going nowhere. I’m holding myself back because I’m trying not to scare you. But I care a great deal about you, and I am going nowhere. I want your promise that you will be there when I get back.”