“I cannot believe I just said that,” Daisy groaned, placing both hands over her face in mortification. “I’m gonna go hide now. I can never see him or you ever again.”
Ellie tugged her hands away from her face, looking up at Daisy from her shorter height. “Well, that’s a shame seeing as I was going to invite you out to the ranch for a cookout.”
“You live on a ranch?” Daisy’s embarrassment faded slightly at that. She’d always loved animals. And she had plenty of authors she edited for who would love some more insight into the way a ranch worked.
“Uh-huh, Bear works at Sanctuary Ranch which is about an hour’s drive from here. We live on the ranch. It’s gorgeous and this weekend, we’re having a cookout. Would you like to come?”
Go to a cookout with a bunch of people she hadn’t met? That sounded like a form of hell.
You came here to settle down. Make friends. Meet people. Can’t do that staying at home.
Shit. Shit.
Be brave, Daisy.
“Daisy? You don’t have to be scared. I’ll be there. I’ll stay with you the entire time. I just thought it might be a good way for you to meet people. But if you’d rather not go—”
“No, no, I’d like to. Thank you. I’m just a bit shy around strangers.”
Ellie smiled. “You don’t have to worry, everyone on the ranch is awesome. I’ll give you directions out there.”
Bear walked in, carrying her laptop bag and a box of linen.
“I just need a piece of paper to write down the directions to the ranch,” Ellie said.
“Directions to the ranch?” Bear asked, sending first Ellie, then her, a look. And that look said he was none too happy about what he was hearing.
He didn’t want her there?
“I invited Daisy to the cookout this weekend,” Ellie explained, seemingly oblivious to the fact that her man looked less than enthusiastic at that news.
“Ellie,” Bear rumbled.
Ellie frowned up at him. “Daisy doesn’t know anyone here; the cookout is a good opportunity to meet people.”
Bear’s eyebrows rose. “You know how Clint feels about strangers on the ranch.”
“I think he’ll be fine about Daisy coming.”
“It’s okay,” Daisy said. “I don’t have to come. I mean, I have lots of unpacking to do and I’ve got work and stuff. Thanks anyway.”
Chicken.
Bwok-bwok-bwok.
Both of them turned to look at her.
“Really. I don’t want to get you into any trouble,” she reassured Ellie.
“Oh, I’m used to getting into trouble,” Ellie said with a wink. “Makes life more interesting, right?”
Not in her experience, no.
“Besides, Clint just likes to grumble but he’s a big softie underneath.”
“Big softie, huh?” Bear said. “I’ll tell him that.”
Ellie didn’t seem worried at the threat. “Please come, Daisy. Really, I’d like you there.”
She glanced over at Bear, but he didn’t offer up any more protests.
“If you’re sure,” she said quietly.
“Of course, I am. Tell you what, why don’t I get one of the boys to come pick you up,” Ellie suggested.
“Ellie,” Bear said again. More silent conversation went on between the two of them.
“That’s okay,” Daisy told her. “I’d rather have my car with me.” In case she needed to make a quick getaway. Besides, she didn’t want to have to ride around with some stranger. Urgh.
Ellie looked disappointed for some reason, but then she plastered a big smile on her face. “I’ll text you the directions to the ranch if you like. Let me know when you’re gonna arrive so I can meet you at the gate.”
Bear just sighed.
“Now, let me show you around a bit. We put in central heating so you don’t need to worry about lighting the fire.”
Daisy followed after Ellie, listening carefully. She was making a new start at her life and she wanted it to be perfect.
* * *
“So, you want to tell me what that was about?” Bear asked as he pulled the truck away from the curb.
“What?” Ellie asked with false-innocence.
“Pretending not to understand is akin to lying in my book and you know where that will get you, don’t you, little girl?”
She stuck her lower lip out in a pout. Damn, she was beautiful, his girl. His love. His woman. His Little.
He reached over and took her hand in his, giving it a light squeeze, ever mindful of his strength and her delicateness.
Not that she wasn’t strong in her own way. She had a core of strength that amazed him. But she was his to care for. And Bear was a big guy. He’d never want to do something to harm his girl.
“Ellie,” he warned. “Tell me what’s going on, unless you’d like to spend the afternoon lying on your stomach in bed with your red-hot ass on display.”
“Hey, you can’t spank me for being nice.”
“Course not,” he grumbled. “I’ll be spanking you for being a brat and not answering me when I ask you a direct question. Spill it.”
She sighed. Long and dramatically. He had to bite back a smile. Damn, she was too cute. He could think of a number of different ways he’d like to spend the afternoon. With his mouth between her legs for a start. Then having her ride him. And then he’d do her hair up into two high ponytails and give her Little some play time. With Daddy watching over her closely.
“I’m not sure what you mean, I was just being friendly.”
“Ten.”
She turned to glare at him. He just glanced at her briefly before turning back to the road. He didn’t want her to sense his amusement. That would send the wrong message. This was serious. It wasn’t like her to hide things from him. He liked that she was an open book. Of course, she only thought she was keeping something from him. He was pretty sure he knew exactly what was happening.
“Why is it ten? I didn’t do anything,” she complained.
“Why’d you invite a stranger to the cookout?”
“I was just being friendly. Daisy is my tenant and she doesn’t know anyone. She seemed lonely.”
He’d give her that, the other woman did seem very alone. And he’d felt bad about leaving her. But she wasn’t his responsibility, even if she was their tenant.
“She did,” he agreed. “But she’s not part of Sanctuary, Ellie.”
“Neither was I. But I am now.”
“Because you’re mine, little girl.”
She glowed at those words. “I am. And Daisy might be someone else’s.”
He sighed. It was just as he’d expected. “You’re matchmaking.”
“Well, you can’t deny that there are a whole lot of single men on Sanctuary who need a woman of their own and Daisy might just fit the criteria they’re looking for.”
He shook his head. “You can’t know that she’s a Little or a sub. That she’d want a relationship like the ones that happen on Sanctuary.”
“You mean you didn’t get that vibe off her?”
“Ellie,” he said sternly. “We met her for five minutes. You can’t know. And you got no business inviting her to Sanctuary without checking with Clint first.”
“I can’t have friends over?” she asked quietly.
“You know that’s not what I mean,” he replied. Concern filled him. “You lonely, baby? If you need to get off the ranch more often or if you have needs that I’m not meeting then—”
She reached over and placed her hand over his mouth. He pulled them carefully off the admittedly deserted road. Still, he wouldn’t take the risk of being distracted while driving. Especially when carrying around such precious cargo.
He turned to look at her and she dropped her hand. She shook her head, staring up at him with such love in her expressive eyes that his breath caught in his throat.
“Oh, Bear. I don’t need anything or anyone but you. There isn’t a need you haven’t met. Usually, y
ou figure them out before I do. I love you so much.”
“I want you to be happy.”
“I am. I promise. I love living on the ranch. I have amazing friends, a wonderful home and a gorgeous, loving man. There’s nothing more I need. I just. . .Daisy looked kind of sad. On her own. And I got the feeling that what she had in her car was all that she owned.”
Yeah, he’d gotten that feeling too.
“She had this lost look in her eyes. I get what that feels like. You rescued me. I wanted to help her.”
“You got a kind heart, baby girl. But not everyone can or wants to be helped. And I don’t want you getting hurt.”
She smiled. “You’ll protect me.”
He leaned in and kissed her. “Always. But you’re telling Clint about inviting her.”
“What? Can’t you do that for me?” She stared up at him with wide eyes.
“Nope.”
“But you’re supposed to protect me.”
He snorted. “Clint ain’t gonna hurt you and you know it.”
“His lectures hurt. He gave one to Eden the other day that lasted two hours.”
Bear just shook his head at that. Then he started up the truck again and pulled out onto the road. “And you’re still getting those ten.”
“A scolding and a spanking? Sheesh, that’s what I get for trying to be nice?”
“Nope, it’s what you get for trying to keep things from your daddy.”
“I just want everyone to be as happy as we are.”
He gave her a look. “Ain’t no one as happy as I am to have you.”
2
“Coming to the cookout?” Kent called to Jed as he strode out of the gym and down the passage towards where Kent stood with his woman, Abby. His muscles burned, sweat slickened his skin and he was about as relaxed as he ever got.
There was still no damn way he was going to some cookout.
“Nope.”
Kent quirked a grin.
“It will be fun,” Abby, Kent’s woman, spoke up. “Charlie is doing most of the cooking. I promise Ellie hasn’t been anywhere near the food.” She smiled up at him. She was a sweet thing. Perfect for Kent. He’d never seen his boss this happy.
It was kind of sickening. And he was jealous as hell.
First Bear then Clint now Kent. Everyone was falling like flies around him, finding gorgeous women to love and cherish and discipline, while he. . .
Would never have that.
“Ellie’s even invited her tenant,” Abby offered hesitantly. “She said she’s really lovely. Doesn’t know anyone around here.”
Kent gave her a stern look. “You and Ellie aren’t matchmaking, are you?”
Abby’s eyes widened. “Matchmake her with Jed? No.” Then as though she’d realized how what she’d said might sound rude, she turned her gaze to Jed. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean that the way it sounded. . .I just meant, well, Ellie said she’s real quiet and shy. And I mean, you would be ill-suited with her, right? That’s not your type, your type would be. . .” she trailed off.
“Rambo Barbie?” Jed offered, knowing his nickname.
“No,” Abby squeaked. “Oh Lord, help me.”
“Dug yourself a big ole hole there, sweet girl,” Kent said with a sigh.
“I’m so sorry, Jed. I didn’t mean to be rude.”
And he knew she hadn’t been. Just as he knew that he had done nothing to put her at ease around him. He didn’t have much patience for social niceties. It was no wonder they all called him Rambo. All he’d ever cared about was the job.
“If you don’t want to come, I’ll bring you up some food,” Abby said quickly. “Of course, by the time I get it up the hill, it will probably be all over the floor of the truck. . .”
“I’ll come,” he said abruptly.
“What?” She blinked, staring at him. Even Kent looked shocked. Considering how he treated any social get-together in the past as more painful than being stabbed in the eye, he got their incredulous looks. But he also couldn’t have Abby feeling bad, or worse, trying to bring him up some food.
“I’ll come,” he growled again. “Just don’t make a big deal out of it.”
“Sure. Okay. See you there!” She smiled big.
He just shook his head and stomped away. She was going to make a big deal about it. He just knew it.
* * *
She had no business being here.
Stupid. Stupid. Stupid.
She needed to leave. Just turn her car around and head back to her house in Russell.
Except it’s not your house. Your belongings fit into the trunk of your car. You have nothing.
You are nothing.
No. That wasn’t true. She was something. She wouldn’t let that asshole’s words get to her. She was loved. She was smart. She was Daisy.
Not nothing.
She took a deep breath and pulled out the sucker in her mouth. It was nearly gone. She crunched on it. Hopefully, the sugar would help with the jitters that were making her hands shake. She looked around, unable to see Ellie anywhere. As instructed, she’d parked her car in front of the huge, imposing gates.
Sanctuary Ranch.
Nice name. She doubted it lived up to its promise, though. No such thing as a sanctuary. Well, once she’d had it. In Jed’s arms. It was the only place she’d felt safe. Loved. At peace.
She took a deep breath. Let it out. She had to move on. She knew Jed had. A few years ago, she’d made the stupid decision to go searching for information about him. Only to discover he was engaged. To a gorgeous, classy brunette. They would be married by now.
She pressed her hand to her stomach as though there was a gaping wound she was trying to put heal. She should never have gone looking. It hurt too much.
No doubt his grandfather approved of her. At least that old bastard was dead now. Her brother had sent her his death notice eight months ago.
Yes, it was definitely time to start a new life. Make a place for herself.
Headlights approached.
No going back now, Daisy.
* * *
He knew it was a bad idea as soon as he arrived. This was not his scene. He’d just eat some food, drink a beer and head back to his cabin. Alone. Jed walked towards the tables that were laden with food. Charlie must have been prepping for this for days. He grabbed a plate, and started to load up.
“Hey, Jed.”
He looked over at the greeting and nodded at Charlie as she walked closer to the table and started rearranging dishes.
“Charlie. Good spread.”
Her smile flashed like a beam of light across her face. “Thanks. I wasn’t sure if you’d come, especially after Abby put her foot in it. I mean. . .um. . .I’ll just shut up now.”
He raised his eyebrows with a sigh. Obviously, Abby had told her friends about their conversation. Clint came up behind Charlie, putting his arm around her waist. “Thought I told you to sit down and put your feet up. You’re so exhausted you’re swaying.”
Jed studied Charlie under the lights that had been strung through the trees. She did look tired.
“She’s been working non-stop for days to prep all of this,” Clint grumbled. “Next year, you’re going to enlist some help.”
“Oh, so there’s going to be a next year?” Charlie teased. “Last night you were grumbling that this was never going to happen again.”
“That’s because when I woke up at one this morning to find that instead of sleeping beside me, you’d waited until I fell asleep to sneak out of bed and go down to the kitchen to make some more potato salad. There’s enough potato salad here to feed Napoleon’s army.”
Jed had to agree with that.
“Hmm, now that I think about it, I guess there’s a reason that you don’t want to sit, huh?” Clint asked her.
Jed had to hide a grin as Clint squeezed her ass and she squealed. She’d obviously received a spanking for her disappearing trick. Well-deserved too. That was his woman, his Little, she’d find herse
lf tied to the bed for the rest of the night.
Or secured in a cot.
He let out a sigh. He’d tried to repress his Daddy Dom side over the years. He’d played at clubs with subs, some of them Littles. But he’d never had a Little who was his. His fiancée hadn’t been into the lifestyle. Getting engaged to Jennifer had been a mistake. He’d gotten involved with her to please his grandfather. When he’d realized how ill-suited they were, he’d ended things.
“Looks like Ellie’s visitor is here,” Clint grumbled, pulling him from his thoughts. The other man was scowling as he stared at someone behind Jed.
“Clint, be nice,” Charlie told him. “Ellie said she doesn’t know anyone.”
“Yeah, and I know nothing about her. This is my ranch. Up to me to look out for everyone here. What if she’s a serial killer?”
Charlie sighed and shook her head. “Your brother runs a security agency. He has a bunch of deadly bad asses working for him, are you really worried about one woman?”
“I’m not worried,” Clint argued back. “And I’ve learned never to underestimate a woman. All I’m saying is that if I start letting people invite whoever they like to the ranch then soon Eden’s going to want to bring back all her crazy friends. And if one of them slaps my ass, you might go into a murderous rage and kill them. I’m just trying to save you from a jail cell.”
Charlie and Jed stared at him incredulously. Then Charlie burst into laughter. Jed shook his head. People round here were crazy.
Strawberries and sugar.
He grew tense at the familiar scent.
“Hey guys, can I introduce you all to my new tenant? Clint, Charlie, Jed, this is Daisy.”
Lots of people had that name. Didn’t mean it was her. He turned. Stared at her. It was like a sucker-punch to the gut. He couldn’t talk. Couldn’t breathe.
“Hello, Clint, Charlie, thank you for having me.”
Her gaze turned to him. He couldn’t see the color of her eyes in the dim light, but he knew they were a deep gray. Her hair, when he’d known her, had been long and straight, now it was cut shorter into more of a bob. She’d always described her hair as plain brown, but she was wrong. There was nothing plain about her.
Daddy’s Lost Love Page 2