Total pages in book: 74
Estimated words: 73664 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 368(@200wpm)___ 295(@250wpm)___ 246(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 73664 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 368(@200wpm)___ 295(@250wpm)___ 246(@300wpm)
“The hell it’s not!” Dad advances on Austin, poking a finger into his chest.
But Austin stands his ground and he grabs my hand. My dad’s practically breathing down his neck and he’s taken my hand to reassure me.
I swallow. “I’m a grown woman, Daddy.” I clear my throat and speak louder. “I’m sorry about breakfast. I didn’t mean to miss it, but—”
“Did you forget why we were going to have breakfast together?” Dad demands. “To talk about the Bridgers and why I think you should stay away from them.”
Austin drops my hand. “Carly?”
I gulp audibly. “We were to talk about Jonathan Bridger and why he took our land.”
“They’re all Bridgers,” Dad counters, glaring at Austin.
Here I am again, stuck between a rock and a hard place. Daddy and Austin.
Daddy, who’s protected me—or tried to—his whole life.
And Austin, who I’ve known for less than a week, but who has shown me I’m still desirable, still able to feel. The ache between my thighs is a reminder of that.
My choice should be a no-brainer.
But it’s not.
Not even slightly. Because Austin said that once he took me, I was his. I was already naked when he told me that. He didn’t have to proclaim it because having sex was a sure thing.
Therefore, he meant it, even though I’m clearly fucked up and have a fucked-up family.
Even so, I love my father, but I also…
No. It’s not possible that I love Austin. It’s too soon. Sex isn’t love.
But Austin was so caring, so willing to do whatever I needed. He’s not standing down from my dad, willing to face his anger head on. He’s not interested in a one nighter because what man would face my dad otherwise?
And now? I’m not interested in only one night either.
I can’t—I won’t—give Austin up. Not because he knows how to do things with his tongue that are probably illegal in some states. Or that he makes me feel alive. Feminine. Pretty.
He makes me feel whole for the first time in…years.
Still, I will hear my father out about the Bridgers. I owe and respect him that much.
I turn to Austin. “I need to know why he’s so dead set against your family, me working here. All of it.”
“You working here is now the least of my concerns,” Dad says gruffly. “I wanted to keep you out of this mess, but I can see they got to you too. Let’s go. I’m taking you home.”
The little girl in me—the one who cried on that island for her daddy to come rescue her—wants desperately to obey.
But the woman—the empowered twenty-seven-year-old woman—knows I cannot.
I must stand my ground. If I don’t now, I never will.
I shake my head. “I love you, Daddy, and I do want to hear what you have to say, but I’m not coming with you.”
A vein throbs in his temple. I don’t remember seeing him this angry before, not even when I told him I was working at this ranch.
“What the hell did you to do her, Bridger?” Dad advances on Austin once more.
I slide my body between them, stopping his attack. I grip my dad’s upper arm. “No. He didn’t do anything, and I don’t want you talking to him like that.”
“It’s okay, Carly,” Austin murmurs in my ear.
“No, it’s not okay, it’s—”
“She’s safe here,” Miles says. “No one will ever hurt her with us near.”
“Damn straight,” Austin whispers.
Chance nods.
“Three against one?” Dad practically growls.
I want to roll my eyes but know that won’t help.
Austin steps forward, effectively sandwiching me between them so I have no choice but to step aside if I don’t want to be crushed.
“There is no fight here, Mr. Vance.”
“I ought to kick you into next week,” Dad snarls.
Austin huffs. “I’d like to see you try. You sure wouldn’t get very far. And for what, exactly? Loving on your daughter?”
I melt at the question, but only for a second.
Dad ruins it by saying, “You touched her?”
“Oh, for God’s sake!” I curl my hands into fists. “Stop it, both of you! This isn’t an elementary school playground and my sex life is not up for discussion.”
“Sex?” Dad looks close to having a stroke.
“Carly…” Austin’s voice cuts over my dad’s harsh tone.
“No. Enough. Daddy, I spent the night here. With Austin. That’s my business. And his. No one else’s.” I look to Chance as well, making sure he understands he needs to lay off. “We fell asleep and I missed having breakfast with you, which wasn’t my intention.”
“You planned to what… Fuck and flee?” Dad says on a snarl.
I gasp at his crude words.
“Don’t disrespect your daughter like that,” Austin commands.
I’m taken aback by what my dad said, but I won’t stand down. Not now. Still, I have to blink back tears. “Not that I owe you an explanation, but I’m very sorry I missed our breakfast.” I turn to Austin. “And Austin? Don’t you ever talk to my father like that again.”