Total pages in book: 46
Estimated words: 47381 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 237(@200wpm)___ 190(@250wpm)___ 158(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 47381 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 237(@200wpm)___ 190(@250wpm)___ 158(@300wpm)
She huffed out a laugh. “Silly Daddy.”
He ran his hand under her top, feeling how hot and sweaty she was.
“Baby, are you too hot?” They entered their suite and he put her down.
“Yeah, maybe a bit.”
“Shit. Another temperature spike?”
“No, I think I just got a bit hot outside.”
Fuck. And she’d barely drunk any water. He set her on the sofa and quickly took off her cardigan, then her T-shirt.
“Daddy! What are you doing?” she asked when she was sitting there in just her bra and shorts.
“Cooling you down.” Jumping up, he grabbed her baby bottle and filled it with water.
He sat on the sofa and drew her onto his lap, laying her back against his arm as he put the nipple between her lips.
“Shit. I overdressed you. Then I forgot to make sure you were drinking.”
She frowned up at him, trying to pull her mouth away from the bottle.
“Uh-uh, keep drinking. I want this all gone. Tomorrow, you’re going to need to sit in the shade. And keep drinking water. Understand?” He was a terrible Daddy.
Why didn’t she tell him, though?
When the water was all gone, he sat her up and rubbed her back. Then he turned her to face him, studying her.
“You were supposed to tell me if you weren’t feeling well.”
“I was feeling all right!”
“You were far too hot. And getting dehydrated. I should have noticed. I’m a terrible Daddy.”
“No, you’re not! Don’t say that!”
He thought it was true, though. He had no experience at this, but his overconfidence and arrogance had led him to think he could do this.
“Brand, you’re amazing at this. you’re everything I could ever want in a Daddy. I promise, it was my fault. I didn’t tell you I was uncomfortable so how could you know?”
“I should have noticed.”
“But I didn’t want you to know,” she blurted out.
Huh? “Why not?”
“You were busy. I don’t want to be a bother. You’re important and I didn’t want to interrupt. I don’t want to be too demanding and make you regret being with me.”
His mouth dropped open as she laid everything out.
She bit her lip. “Shoot. I didn’t quite mean to blurt that all out.”
“Well, I’m glad you did. Is that really what you think? Do you think I’m more important than you?”
“You are!”
“And that if you’re too much of a bother, I’ll regret all of this?” he asked.
“Um, well, maybe.”
He narrowed his gaze at her. “You think I’m so fickle I’d just throw you away if you were too much work?”
“No! It’s just… it’s happened before.”
“What do you mean?” he asked. What sort of idiot would throw her away?
“I’m a lot of work. That’s what Keith said.”
“Who. The. Fuck. Is. Keith?” he asked through gritted teeth.
“Nobody.”
“Jolie,” he warned.
“My ex.”
“So, he really is nobody.”
“What?” she asked.
“Well, he’s obviously stupid for letting you go. For not seeing how precious and amazing you are.”
“He cheated on me. With a woman who is a member of the same club. I haven’t been able to return since. He said… he said I was too much work. Too needy and demanding.”
“Fucking Keith is a fucking idiot. I am not more important than you. And you are not to keep things from me because you’re worried about bothering me. By keeping what you were feeling to yourself, you took away from me. Because these last few days, I’ve felt something I haven’t ever felt. Do you know what that is?”
“What?”
“Wanted. Needed. As though I was doing something really important. Desired for who I am, not just the idea of who I am.”
Tears filled her eyes. “I’m so sorry, Brand. I didn’t mean to take anything away from you.”
“Taking care of you, being your Daddy, it’s made me feel whole in a way I never have. But I need you to believe in me. In us. All right? This won’t work if you hold back.”
She nodded. “I just don’t want to lose you.”
“You won’t lose me. As long as you want me. As long as you care for me.”
“I do,” she whispered. “I know it’s too early for this, but I love you, Brand.”
“That’s good to hear because I love you too, Jolie.”
“Really?”
“Baby, how could I not? You’re amazing. So stunningly beautiful and talented. You make me smile. You make me feel like I was missing something and now I’m whole. I’m not ever letting you go, Bumblebee. So best you get that through your head. All right?”
She smiled at him. “All right.”
“Good, now come here.” He wrapped his hand around the back of her neck, pulling her head close to his.
And then he kissed her.
Fuck it was good. She was soft and she tasted delicious. She followed his lead, letting him take control.
He had to end it before he took things too far.
Pulling back, he ran his finger over her bottom lip.
“Don’t stop,” she begged.