Daddy's Sweet Girl (Montana Daddies, #3)

by Roberts, Laylah

  Except it hadn’t felt like a mistake. Not the kiss. Not even calling himself Daddy. An uncomfortable feeling filled him. Why had the kiss felt so intense? Was it just chemistry? Or more?

  Was he making a mistake?

  He studied her. The cutesy pajamas she wore. He remembered the stuffed toy she’d been hugging when he woke her earlier.

  To take things further wasn’t fair to her. Not when what she needed wasn’t him.

  “Abby, how many men have you kissed?” he asked.

  She stiffened even further. “None of your business.”

  He sighed. “I’m betting it’s not many.”

  “Sorry if I wasn’t any good.”

  “No, that wasn’t what I meant,” he said, his frustration building.

  She stood up. “I really want you to go now.”

  He stood as well. He couldn’t insist on staying when she asked him to go. Well, demanded that he go.

  “I don’t want to leave things with you like this. I’m not saying that your needs are wrong just that they’re not for me. I’m not even sure why I—”

  “I get it.” She stomped her way towards the door. Her ass jiggled slightly. He’d always been an ass man. And quite frankly, hers was magnificent.

  He was aware of his erection pressing painfully against his jeans as he stared after her. She opened the door. “Leave, please.”

  “Abby,” he said cajolingly. “Look at me.”

  She kept her gaze on the floor. He moved closer. He stopped when he stood in front of her and touched her cheek with his finger. A shock like a bolt of electricity went through him when she flinched away.

  “Abby.” He dropped his hand immediately, gazing down at her in horror. “I would never hurt you.”

  “Please leave. I want you to go.”

  He hated the vulnerability in her voice. “Okay, sw—Abby, I’m going. I just want you to know that my family does owe you a debt. And we always repay them. So, I’m going to leave my card with my private number. You call me if you need anything. Anything at all. Understand?”

  He pulled his wallet out and grabbed his business card. It wasn’t the one he gave to just anyone, but a special one for his long-term clients. He held it out.

  She didn’t take it.

  His frustration grew. He pulled on the control that he’d honed in his years as a SEAL, and a Dom.

  “Abby, take the card.”

  “You don’t owe me anything,” she said stubbornly.

  “Abby, I get that you’re upset with me. You have good reason. I’m not the kind of guy you need.”

  But he could find her the sort of guy she needed. The ranch was filled with Daddy Doms searching for a Little. So why hadn’t she been snapped up already?

  “More like I’m not the sort of woman you want, right?” she asked angrily.

  “That’s not what I meant.” Only wasn’t it? Even he could hear the lack of conviction in his voice.

  “Leave, Kent. Before I call the sheriff.”

  “I’m not going until you take the card and promise me you will call if you need something.”

  She stared up at him, her jaw set firmly.

  “Funny, I did not pick you as the stubborn type.”

  “Because I’m so quiet and boring?”

  He narrowed his gaze. “That’s the last time I want to hear you say that about yourself. And don’t think I’ve forgotten what you called yourself earlier.”

  She just glared at him. “It’s not any of your business what I call myself. You came here to pay a debt. It’s paid. We both made a mistake, our lips met. Big deal. We’re both adults. Now, I want to go to sleep. I’m tired. So please leave.”

  “Easiest way to get me to go is to take the damn card.”

  She reached up and snatched it out of his hand. “Fine. I’ve got it. Now go.”

  “Promise.”

  “Urgh!” She threw her hands up in the air and stomped her foot down. Oh, there was most definitely a temper under all that shyness. And that small stomp of her foot would find his lap under different circumstances.

  You don’t want a Little. You don’t want her.

  Well, his erection would beg to differ.

  Just as well he didn’t make decisions based on what state his dick was in.

  “Promise me, Abby. I need to know that if you’re in trouble that you will call me.”

  “I don’t get in trouble.” She yawned and a shiver ran through her. She was standing by the open door dressed in threadbare pajamas. She was exhausted. And he was badgering her.

  Way to be an asshole, man.

  “Abby, please,” he gentled his voice. “Just because we’re not suited to each other is no reason for you not to take me up on this. You never know when you might need help. Promise me.”

  “Fine, I promise,” she said with great reluctance.

  Funnily enough, the knot in his stomach didn’t dissipate the way he thought it would. He took one last look at her, then turned towards the door. “Make sure you lock this behind me,” he ordered. “I’ll wait on the other side until you do.”

  She didn’t answer. Just slammed the door shut behind him. He sighed. But he stayed there until he heard the quiet click. Then he walked down the steps, towards his truck. A sense of wrongness filled him. It pulled at him, urging him to turn around and tell her that he had made a mistake.

  But his mistake wasn’t kissing her. It was pushing her away.

  Instead, he forced himself into his truck, started up the engine and left. It was for the best. There was no way he could give her what she needed.

  ABBY HUGGED HERSELF as she leaned back against the door. Her eyes closed as she heard his truck start up. She’d kissed Kent Jensen. Even though things had gone to shit afterwards, even though he’d been clear to tell her what a mistake he’d made, she’d always have that.

  All these years of crushing on him, she’d never once thought he would end up in her house, that he would kiss her. He was gorgeous. Sometimes sweet. Bossy. Protective. He called to every longing inside her. All she’d ever wanted was someone to watch over her. She knew that she was supposed to be independent, strong, she was supposed to be able to take care of herself. To not rely on a man.

  But she guessed she was just built differently from most people. Growing up, she’d loved reading books where the girl had an older brother. Someone to watch out for her. To give her advice. To warn off other boys from wanting to date her.

  That wasn’t to say her feelings towards Kent were brotherly. Far from it.

  But watching him with his sister, hearing him talk about the way the women on Sanctuary were protected by all the men, it spoke to that part of her that had always longed for a safe place, a family, home.

  Nana had tried her best. She’d loved Abby and her brother. But it wasn’t that warm, fuzzy love. She hadn’t been the type to hand out hugs or praise. She’d kept a roof over their heads, food in their bellies, she’d clothed them, she’d tried to teach them right from wrong. Although that hadn’t really worked with Max. But she hadn’t been one to put up with any sort of emotional nonsense, as she’d liked to call it.

  Abby moved slowly through the house, tidying up the mess. Nana would roll over in her grave if she didn’t clean up before bed. She walked into her bedroom. And froze. All she could remember was Kent kneeling by the bed, his hands on her legs, his handsome face creased in concern.

  She’d thought he cared.

  Idiot.

  He just felt a sense of obligation. She took a deep breath then walked to her bedside drawers, opened the top one and dropped the card he’d given her in. She should probably chuck it in the trash. But she couldn’t bring herself to do that.

  She sat on the bed, and placed her elbows on her thighs as she cupped her forehead in her hands.

  She’d made a fool of herself.

  She sucked back a sob. She would not cry. Tears didn’t solve anything.

  Reynolds don’t cry, Abigail.

  �
�Sorry, Nana,” she muttered. She grabbed Bun-bun, holding him tight.

  I made a mistake. I’m not the kind of guy you need.

  She gave a humorless bark of laughter. Right. More like she wasn’t what he needed.

  Knowing she couldn’t sleep in this room and there was only one way to calm the emotions rioting inside her, she got to her feet, still holding Bun-bun and pulled off her duvet and pillow. She dragged them into the small dining room and dumped them by the table. Then she turned a lamp on in the corner of the room. Moving to the linen cupboard, she grabbed a couple of spare blankets. She arranged them on the top of the table so they draped over the edges, completely covering the table.

  She pulled the cushions off the sofa and used them to create a mattress under the table. Finally, she picked Bun-bun back up, grabbed her duvet and pillow and climbed into her fort. She lay there and took a couple of slow, deep breaths to calm herself.

  As a child, when her mother would bring home a strange man, she’d always hide herself under the bed. Sometimes, Max would join her.

  She winced as she remembered some of the noises she’d heard. As a child, she hadn’t recognized what they were. She’d often worried that the man her mother had brought home was hurting her. Sometimes they would. There would be the slap of flesh meeting flesh. A cry of pain. Her mother limping the next morning or telling her and Max that the fresh bruise on her face was just because she was clumsy.

  Abby was clumsy. She’d never once had a bruise on her face. Let alone multiple times.

  Of course, she hadn’t realized the lies her mom had told them as a kid. But part of her had still known something was wrong. Hiding herself away had made her feel safer. As she’d grown older and was no longer able to fit comfortably under her bed, she’d started hiding under the covers. When Nana took them in, she’d often let Abby build a pillow fort like this one.

  As a teenager, she’d stopped building them. Knowing it was weird and childish. But after Nana died, when things got bad with Max, and when she was stressed or worried, it was the only thing that gave her any sense of safety.

  Pushing down the shame and embarrassment she felt, she snuggled into the cushions and grabbed tight hold of Bun-bun.

  This wasn’t the first time she’d been rejected.

  She’d get over it. Like she always did.

  Chapter Seven

  Kent strode out of the stables. He’d hoped a ride would clear his head. Rid him of some of the temper flooding him.

  Yeah, that hadn’t worked out.

  He kicked a rock off the pathway, sending it flying. Shit.

  “Woah, big bro, what’s eating you?”

  He turned to find Eden watching him. Her blonde hair was tied up in a high ponytail, she was dressed in a sweatshirt and jeans and looked about twelve. She was one of his favorite people in the world. From the minute she was born, when he was eight years old, he’d vowed he would take care of her.

  But right now, he wasn’t in the mood to talk to her. Or anyone else.

  “Nothing,” he muttered. “Got to go.” He walked towards her, then knowing he was acting like a jerk, he lightly touched her head in apology. “You should have a hat on, it’s cold out here.”

  She sighed. “Where are you going?”

  “Back to work.”

  “Kent, wait.”

  He paused, then forced himself to turn. Even though he was in a foul mood that was no reason to take it out on Eden. And if she needed something then he’d never forgive himself for not being here for her.

  She still hadn’t given him or Clint an acceptable reason for why she had been at the Suck ’n Blow. Clint had told her that she was grounded until she came clean. He knew there was a running bet about who would cave first.

  Clint would blow a gasket if he heard about it.

  Kent had his money on Clint giving in first. Eden could out-stubborn them all.

  “Yeah, baby? You need something?”

  She nodded and wheeled her chair closer. “I wanted to talk to you.”

  “Everything okay?” he asked in concern. “Something bothering you?”

  “More like someone and his name starts with C and ends with pain-in-my-ass.”

  His lips twitched. “Strange name.”

  She glared up at him. “He’s making my life hell.”

  He raised with one eyebrow. “Why? Because he’s not letting you get away with whatever you want?”

  “Yes,” she wailed. “He’s always been overbearing but now he’s being impossible. Speak to him for me?” She gave him a sweet smile. Which normally worked. She’d always had him wrapped around her finger.

  But not this time.

  “Nope.”

  He rocked back on his heels, ready for the explosion. Her head shot up. Her eyes widening. “What?”

  “I said no.”

  “But...but...you never say no!”

  He pulled his hat off his head and ran his hand through his hair. He’d barely slept last night. He’d had a late-night conference call with a businessman in New Zealand who wanted to hire their services for some employees he was sending to the Congo. Then afterwards, he’d worked out for a while to try and exhaust his mind. His body had been begging for sleep by the time he’d showered. Only for him to toss and turn for hours. And when he did sleep the dreams...

  Shit.

  “Kent?” Eden’s voice was soft now. All anger and indignation were gone. “Are you okay? What’s going on? Is it something at work?”

  “I’m fine,” he snapped. Then silently cursed as he saw the hurt look on her face. “Sorry, boo,” he said using the nickname for her that he’d had since they were kids. “I’m not sleeping well and it’s making me short-tempered.”

  But this time it wasn’t nightmares plaguing him. They weren’t the thing that crept into mind when he least expected it.

  Nope, that was a pair of hurt-filled hazel eyes, surrounded by the longest eyelashes he’d ever seen.

  Eden stared at him worriedly. “Want to talk about it?”

  He gave her a half-smile. “Don’t think that will help.”

  “You’re always making me tell you about my shit.”

  He raised his eyebrows at her language.

  She shook her head. “I’m not a kid anymore, you know.”

  “I know,” he replied quietly.

  “Do you? Does Clint? I mean, really? Grounding me? I’m nearly twenty-six years old! I shouldn’t have to put up with this crap.”

  “You know the way our family works, Eden,” he told her mildly. “Clint is just looking out for you. You gave both of us a hell of a fright the other night. You want to tell me what you were doing there?”

  She pressed her lips together. Yeah, that’s what he’d thought. Stubborn. He shook his head. “I’ve created a bad habit by running interference for you with our big bro, but not this time. Because I agree with him. You could have ended up badly hurt, raped, murdered.” He crouched down in front of her, in much the same position as he’d been with Abby three nights ago. He winced. He wouldn’t think about that right now. “You mean the world to us, Eden. We don’t want anything bad happening to you.”

  She let out a sound of frustration.

  “It’s only because we love you.”

  She snorted. Then she sighed. “I love you guys as well. But if I don’t get off this ranch soon, I’m gonna go freaking insane.”

  “No, you won’t. There’s plenty to do here. Are you supposed to be wheeling yourself around with your sore ribs?”

  “They feel better.” She bit her lip. “I wanted to go into town and check on Abby. I called her yesterday and she sounded funny.”

  He stiffened. “She did? Funny, how?”

  “I don’t know. Just weird. I just...I don’t think she has many people watching out for her. Macca told me you put a new lock on her door. Was she all right?”

  All right? No, he wouldn’t say that.

  “I just feel terrible about all the times I’ve essentially i
gnored her. I mean, I’ve never been rude or mean to her, of course. I’ve always shut anyone down when I’ve heard them say something mean.”

  “Who says mean things to her?” he demanded. Fury filled him. How dare anyone be nasty to her?

  “Well, mostly they say things behind her back. They call her mouse.”

  He clenched his hands into fists. He wanted to teach her that she shouldn’t allow anyone to put her down.

  “I just wish now I’d made more of an effort to get to know her. I just...I feel bad. She helped me when most people would have run the other way. Do you think you could go check on her?”

  Yes. “No.”

  Eden’s eyes widened. “What? Why not?”

  “I’ve got a lot to do right now. I’ll see if Macca is free to check on her.”

  Only he didn’t want to do that. Not at all. Because the too-charming Aussie already seemed to be taking too much of an interest in Abby. Just yesterday he’d asked Kent if he’d done anything about her car problems or whether he wanted him to install a security system.

  He ground his teeth together. He should send Macca to see if she was all right. The other man would be a good fit for her. He was a Daddy Dom like Clint. He was tough, smart, loyal. But he could also be very compassionate.

  He’d be a much better fit for Abby than Kent was.

  So why didn’t he want the other man near her?

  “Kent? What is it? You don’t like Abby?”

  “Of course, I like her. She’s an absolute sweetheart. Who wouldn’t like her?” He frowned thinking of what Eden had just told him. “I don’t like that anyone would put her down. She made a few disparaging remarks about herself...”

  “Well, I know she didn’t have the easiest upbringing. Her nana was a stern woman. I only saw her a few times, but she wasn’t the cuddly, sweet kind of grandma. And Abby’s brother, well, you know about him, right?”

  “No. I don’t.”

  “Oh. I figured you would. You usually know everything,” Eden teased.

  “What about her brother?”

  “He’s bad news. If you wanted something, you’d talk to Max Reynold and he’d get it for you. Didn’t matter how illegal it was.”