Total pages in book: 152
Estimated words: 155037 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 775(@200wpm)___ 620(@250wpm)___ 517(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 155037 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 775(@200wpm)___ 620(@250wpm)___ 517(@300wpm)
Tink needed someone who could take care of her. Someone who was strong enough to lay down some boundaries and enforce them. But who had empathy and could be kind.
She would jump feet first into any situation without thinking about her own safety, especially to help a friend. How often had she jumped into a fight with him and gotten hurt when they were younger?
And every time he scolded her, she’d just shrug and smile.
Tell him that was what friends did.
“Lachie. Three things.”
“You. The damn refrigerator rattling. Wind outside.”
“Good. Three things you feel.”
His own failure as a friend and a man?
Yeah. He knew better than to say that. The last thing he wanted was to upset her.
“You. You and you.”
“Haha. You are such a comedian.”
He started noticing how good she felt pressed up to his back.
Isa’s breasts were pushed up against him. All that was between them was their underwear and the tiny nightgown she was likely wearing.
He needed to move before certain parts of him reacted, making them both uncomfortable.
Reaching behind him, he grabbed hold of her, and pulled her around his body so she sat in front of him on the bed.
He gave her a stern look.
“Don’t be mad, Lachie. I can’t leave you alone when I hear you crying out. I just can’t.”
“You have to. If I think I’m going to hurt you, then I can’t live with you anymore.”
“You’d kick me out?” Her eyes widened and he could see real panic in them.
Fuck.
Think before you speak, asshole.
This was technically his house. His grandfather had left him everything when he died. Turns out his grandfather had owned over fifty acres of land. Including where Loki had built this house.
“No. I’d go.”
“But this is your house.” She drew her legs up to her chest and he while he tried not to stare at her, it was hard not to. She was wearing a pale pink silky nightgown with lace over her breasts and shoulders.
She was a temptation sent to torment him.
He couldn’t protect her if she left.
Fuck. What is wrong with you?
You’re the one who just told her that you couldn’t be around her.
Groaning, he held his head.
“If you want me to go, I . . . I will,” she said hesitantly.
“You’re not leaving,” he told her. “I’m sorry I said that. I wasn’t thinking properly. I just don’t want to hurt you.”
“You won’t,” she whispered back, taking his hands in hers and drawing them away from his face.
“Promise me you won’t let me,” he said desperately.
“I promise. It won’t happen. Come on, we both need to sleep.”
His eyes moved over her face. She looked as tired as he felt. “Is everything all right, Tink?”
She smiled. “Of course.”
“You wouldn’t lie to me, right?”
“We don’t lie to each other.” She sighed. “I just . . . you know the company I work for was bought by another company. It’s a bit stressful there at the moment.”
“Is someone bullying you?” Anger filled him. He didn’t like bullies. But he really hated anyone upsetting his girl.
“What? No. Sheesh, Loki. I’m not five anymore. I’m not being bullied. It’s just work. Honestly. And I’m a bit tired. And so are you. Lay down. I’m sleeping with you tonight.”
“I’m not sure that’s a good idea.” What if he had another nightmare? What if he hurt her in his sleep?
“It will be fine. You’re exhausted now. You never have two nightmares in the same night.”
That was true. And he selfishly wanted her next to him, curled up in his arms.
“I should shower.”
“You’re good,” she told him. “Stop making excuses so you don’t have to sleep beside me.”
“Not that, never that,” he mumbled, drawing her close as he lay on his back.
He breathed in her scent.
Coconut.
Yum.
“I might need to get away for a few days. Clear my head.” It’s what he did when things got too much. When the memories built up.
He felt her stiffen, then relax. “Okay. I’ll miss you. Leave me a note if I’m not here and let me know when you’ll be back.”
Isa heard his breathing deepen and let out a sigh of relief. She hated when he had these nightmares. And like hell, was she ever going to just lie in her bedroom and let him suffer alone.
That’s not what you did for your friends.
And it wasn’t what you did for the man you’d loved forever. Even if he didn’t feel the same way about her.
It made her sad, but she’d never risk their friendship.
Besides, Loki didn’t share her kinky interests, anyway. Not that she’d ever actually played with a Dom. Or had a Daddy Dom. But she was jealous of her friends and their relationships.
Georgie, Kiesha, and Juliet all had men who were Daddy Doms. Juliet had two!
Isa wasn’t exactly sure what she wanted, but when she read stories about dominant men who protected, cherished, and disciplined their women . . . well, it made her long for something she didn’t have.