Right. She sure did. She just panicked.
“Right. Sorry.” And teeny? Where had that come from?
“It’s okay. Go to the bathroom. I promise, I’m not going anywhere.”
Wow. He knew just what to say to make her knees go weak.
You met him yesterday. You’ve known him twenty-four hours. Sure, it felt like it had been longer. They’d just talked for over an hour and it had seemed like five minutes. It felt natural and right. But she had to remember that this was a temporary thing. She had to leave.
She brushed her teeth, washed her face and used the toilet. She took her blood sugar level again.
It definitely seemed like being around him was a good thing for her body and her emotions.
After climbing back into bed, she reached for the phone. “I’m in bed.”
“Good girl. Teeth brushed?”
“Yes.” She blushed a bit at the question. It was something a Daddy might ask.
Don’t think about that right now. Last thing she wanted to do was blurt something out inadvertently.
Wouldn’t that be embarrassing?
“The light’s off? You got everything you need for bed?”
Her snuggly? Check. Princess Nana? Check. Nightlight? Check. She turned off the bedside lamp.
“Yes. I’ve got everything I need. And the light is off.”
“Good girl. Is there anything else you usually do before bed?”
“I read.”
“Hmm, well, I don’t have any stories here to read to you. I might have to make one up, that okay?”
“Yes.” Daddy.
Christ, that was close. She bit her lip. She really had to watch herself.
“What’s your favorite animal?”
“Dragons.”
“Dragons?”
Her eyes popped wide open and she groaned. Idiot.
“Hmm, you do realize that dragons aren’t real, don’t you?”
“Well, they could be,” she defended herself. “Just because you haven’t seen one doesn’t mean it’s not real.”
Oh dear Lord, Marisol. What are you even saying?
“You’re quite right. Dragons could very well be real.”
She let out a sigh. “I know I sound like an idiot.”
“Hey,” he said in a firm voice. “I don’t like you calling yourself names, understand?”
She chewed worriedly at her lip. This was something new to her as well. She’d gotten so used to others putting her down, it seemed almost natural to do it to herself. “I understand.”
“Okay, snuggle in. And just listen.” He started to tell her a story over the phone. It involved a prince, a princess and a dragon. He had such a nice voice that she soon found her eyes drifting shut.
And she didn’t find out the end of the story, unfortunately.
She hoped it had a happy-ever-after.
7
Marisol strode towards the diner.
She was early, but she thought it was best to get out of the house in case her aunt woke up. Although Rosalind hadn’t come in until the wee hours of the morning, so it was doubtful.
She drew out a new paperback she’d bought on her break yesterday. As she strolled along, she read it. She was chewing on a piece of gum, blowing out bubbles with it.
Suddenly, she slammed into something solid. Her book dropped as she attempted to step back and catch her balance. She sucked in her breath, forgetting about the bubblegum and started choking.
Firm hands clasped her forearms before she was turned, one arm was pressed under her breasts as a large hand whacked her between her shoulder blades. She wasn’t sure if it was the harsh smacks of his hand or just the sheer shock of being manhandled, but the gum shot back up her throat and into her mouth.
“Breathe. That’s it. Breathe,” he commanded in a low voice that wasn’t to be disobeyed.
Oh hell. She knew that voice.
He placed a large paw under her mouth. “Spit it out.”
She shook her head. Nuh-uh. No way.
“Marisol,” he said firmly. “Spit.”
She spat the gum into his hand. That was truly, truly gross. He moved away from her, throwing the gum in the trash can before he opened the door to the truck parked alongside the sidewalk. Shit. How had she missed him? She’d walked right into him.
How embarrassing.
He drew out a napkin from out of the truck. He quickly wiped his hand before leaning in and grabbing a bottle of water. He held it out to her.
“You’re not wrinkly and hairy.”
“Um, thanks, I think?” He gave her a strange look.
You’re talking out loud, Marisol.
“Here.” He wiggled the drink in his hand.
“Ahh, no thanks.”
“It’s new. I just bought it. Drink.”
“Oh no, I couldn’t. You’ll need it.”
“Marisol,” he said in a commanding voice.
“Besides, I’m fine. Not thirsty at all.” Except her voice was all raspy from her choking fit and that bottle of water was looking mighty tempting.
“Are you always this stubborn?” he asked with a hint of exasperation.
Her eyes widened at the accusation. “I’m not stubborn. I’m very easy-going. I never make waves at all.”
“Not from what I’ve seen.”
She put her hands on her hips. “Look. Just because I don’t want a drink of water doesn’t make me stubborn.”
“It does when you’re refusing on principle not because you’re not thirsty. I promise, it doesn’t come with strings attached.”
“I didn’t think it did.” She snatched the bottle of water from him, grumbling to herself as she took a few long sips. She was only drinking it because she wanted to, not because he’d goaded her into it.
She tried to hand it back but he shook his head. “Keep it. Drink it. Now, where are you headed to?”
“Umm . . .”
She was saved from having to answer him by a big red truck pulling up. Out climbed Linc and she sighed in relief.
“Morning, Linc,” Ed called out. Obviously, he wasn’t on duty today. He was dressed casually in a shirt, jeans and black jacket.
“Morning, Ed,” Linc replied with a nod of his head before turning his attention to her. “Morning, Mari-girl. Everything okay?”
“Fine.” She smiled at him widely.
“We just had a collision,” Ed countered.
Really? Did he have to make it sound so bad?
“A collision? Are you all right? What happened? Was it in that crap piece of car of yours?” Linc asked with concern as he gently ran his hands over her arms and down her body. “Where does it hurt?” He turned to Ed. “Why haven’t you taken her to the hospital?”
“I’m fine. It wasn’t a collision.” She glared at Ed. Why did he have to make it sound like that?
“It didn’t happen while we were driving. She walked straight into me.” Ed bent down and picked up her book, looking at the cover.
Which had a half-naked, muscular man on the front. She wished she had her eReader. Nobody could see what she was reading then. Truth was, Ed wasn’t the first person she’d banged into while she was reading and walking.
Once, the man she’d bumped into had shoved her aside and she’d ended up on her ass on the road in a puddle.
That had been humiliating.
“Can I please have that back?” She reached for the book, snatching it from Ed’s hand. He grinned at her.
“Wait. Was she reading while walking again?” Linc turned to her with a frown.
“Again?” Ed asked. “This happens often?”
“She nearly ran into a lamp post day before yesterday.” Linc crossed his arms over his chest.
“Hmm, that so?” Ed replied.
“Yep. And I seem to recall telling her then that I didn’t want her walking around with her head in a book again.”
She gaped at Linc. What? Had he actually been serious about that? She could feel the blush ri
sing in her cheeks as she stared from Linc to Ed then back again.
“Never thought I’d have to instigate a no-reading-while-walking rule.” Ed shook his head.
“What? You can’t just make up rules!” She turned to Linc. “He can’t, can he?”
“Well, let’s see. He is the sheriff.”
Her mouth dropped open. “You’re the sheriff?” She gulped.
Ed nodded and she took a longer look at him. He was about an inch taller than Linc and just as broad with dark hair and gray eyes. He filled out that shirt of his nicely. She couldn’t believe she’d just thought that.
He’s a cop. The goddamn sheriff.
But he wasn’t in uniform right now, which made it easier to be around him.
“Even the sheriff can’t just make up rules like that.”
“Well, I was hired to protect the people of this town, including you, little miss. And this is the second time you’ve been in trouble, isn’t it?”
“Second time?” Linc asked in a low voice.
Uh-oh.
“We have to get going, don’t we, Linc? Sorry I crashed into you, Sheriff. It won’t happen again. Bye!” She slipped her hand into Linc’s arm and tried to move him.
It was like attempting to shift a mountain. The man was made of solid muscle. She let out a frustrated noise. “You could’ve just let me steer you away.”
“I could have,” he agreed.
The sheriff raised his eyebrows and turned to Linc. “The two of you are headed somewhere?”
“Going on a picnic by the river,” Linc explained.
“Ahh. I see.”
Something flashed over Ed’s face. She wasn’t sure what it was, but it looked almost like regret. That made no sense, though.
“Laid a claim, have you?” Ed asked.
“I’m trying,” Linc said.
Huh? A claim on what? What were they talking about?
“Sorry. If I’d known that I would have told you about pulling her over the other night for speeding.”
“What night was this?” Linc asked quietly. Staring down at her.
She had to stop herself from shuffling her feet in guilt.
“When she was at Sanctuary Ranch for Charlie’s bridal shower. Surprised you didn’t have her stay over. It was late for her to be driving home alone on that road.”
“We only just met that night,” Linc said, his eyes narrowing as he scowled at the sheriff, obviously not liking the rebuke in his voice.
She glared at the sheriff as well. She could look after herself, thank you very much.
Well, not really. But still. His words were worthy of a glare in her opinion.
“You move fast,” Ed observed.
“When I find something I want, I know I need to move quickly before someone else steps in and snatches it up.”
Ed nodded slowly. “Wise call.”
Okay, she was really confused.
“We best go. You ready, Mari-girl?”
“Yep.” Relief flooded her. She’d spent enough time around the sheriff. Even though he didn’t seem a bad sort. For a cop.
“All right. I’ll leave you to your picnic.” Ed gave a tight smile that seemed forced. He turned to her. “No more walking around while you’re reading, Miss Marisol. You could have hurt yourself or someone else. And you could have been in real trouble choking like that.”
“I was only choking because I crashed into you.”
“And you crashed into me because you weren’t watching where you were going.” Ed gave them both a nod before turning and walking around.
Linc spun her carefully to face him, but the gentleness of his hands was at odds with the fierce frown on his face.
“What does he mean you were choking?”
Linc checked her over again for injuries.
What was she thinking? Speeding? And hadn’t they just talked about her habit of walking around with her nose in a book? Obviously, he should have been firmer.
Easy. She only wants to be friends.
Ahh. But that wasn’t what he wanted. He admitted he was hoping to change her mind. Anyway, friends could still be protective, right? Hopefully, she’d eventually trust him with whatever was going on in her life.
He knew it was a risk, showing his cards now. But yesterday, as he’d watched Clint and Charlie declare their love for each other, all he could think of was Marisol. And he knew that was what he wanted with her.
He’d demanded honesty from her, shouldn’t he give it back?
But maybe he’d take her on the picnic first. If she was going to reject him, he’d at least like it to happen on a full stomach.
“What was he talking about, you choking?” he asked.
“He was exaggerating. Seems to be something he does a lot of.” She scowled.
“Marisol, tell me.”
“It’s really nothing. I was chewing on some bubble gum and when I crashed into the sheriff, I kind of just sucked it in. I started to choke. But I was fine. It was just gum.”
He gave her a look and she had the grace to appear somewhat guilty.
“What am I going to do with you, Mari-girl?” he murmured.
“Take me on a picnic?”
He cupped her face between his wide hands. Damn, her skin was smooth. And her cinnamon and apple scent swirled around him, tempting him. He had to fight the urge to kiss her, to see if she tasted as sweet as she smelled.
Slowly.
“I can do that. But we’re gonna be having a chat about all this.”
Her eyes widened at his stern tone. “I’m in trouble?” Her voice was smaller, the words almost childish sounding.
He swallowed heavily. God, she sounded like a Little. He wondered if she knew about age play and Daddy Doms.
He tapped her nose. “How about you tell me? Do you think it was wise to speed? It’s dangerous. It puts you at risk. It puts the other people on the road at risk. Have you had your brakes checked lately? Would they even work that well if something jumped out in front of you?”
She sighed, dropping her gaze down. “You’re right.”
He tipped up her chin. “I just want you to be safe, Mari-girl.”
“I know. And I get it. I’ve always had a bit of a lead foot. And I tend to get distracted.”
“And I made myself clear about not wanting you to walk around with your head in a book, right?”
She nodded, blushing slightly.
He ran his thumb across her cheek. “You’re precious, Mari-girl. I just don’t want something happening to you. As your friend, I’m asking you to take better care of yourself. Okay?”
“Okay.”
8
You’re precious, Mari-girl.
She could barely contain her smile as she followed him around to the passenger side of his truck. She’d never been precious to anyone before. Not that she could remember anyway.
Careful. Don’t let it go to your head. You barely know him, remember?
Linc opened the door and she stared up into the high cab. What happened to running boards? Obviously, they hadn’t made this vehicle with the vertically challenged in mind.
Before she could attempt to climb up, big hands wrapped around her waist and lifted her into the air, placing her on the seat.
Whoa. She’d had a demonstration of his strength the other night when he’d grabbed her, but it still took her by surprise. As she was trying to gather her wits, he took hold of her seatbelt then leaned across her to buckle her in. His chest pressed up against hers.
Her nipples instantly hardened. She bit her lip. Holy shit. He was muscular. The feel of him sent her senses into overdrive.
All too quickly, she was belted in and he was moving away from her.
Calm, girl.
She’d never reacted to a man like this before. Mind you, she hadn’t been around that many men. Just her aunt’s husbands, and most of them ignored her. Which was a good thing. Then there was Saber, Tiger and their friends.
She definitely didn’t want t
heir attention. Being around Linc was completely different. Instead of scaring her, he actually made her feel safe.
She snuck glimpses over at him as he hopped into the truck and started it up. Those hands of his were enormous. What would it be like if he touched her? Cupped her breast, ran his hand down her stomach to touch her . . .
“Mari-girl? Marisol? You okay?”
“What?” She stared at him. Mierda! Had he been talking to her? Good work, Marisol.
“Are you all right?”
“Oh yes, I’m fine. Sorry. I just zoned out a bit.” She winced. Great. Now she made it sound like she was bored or something. “Sorry. It’s not the company. I tend to spend a lot of time in my own head.”
He drove them out of town. She hadn’t done much exploring around. Her aunt usually only liked her going out in the car if it was for work or to run errands for her, so she was stuck on foot.
“That so?” he murmured thoughtfully. As though he saw much more than she wanted him to. She licked her lips.
“We’re going to the river?”
“Yep. We’re headed to a nice spot I know of.”
“Did you have a good time at the wedding?” she asked, kicking her feet back and forth. They didn’t even touch the floor and she couldn’t see out the front window.
“I did. Charlie made a beautiful bride. And Clint could barely take his eyes or hands off her all night.”
She glanced down at her lap to hide her sadness. How amazing would it be to meet someone who loved her like that? To have the wedding of her dreams? She couldn’t see that in her future.
Linc parked the truck and she looked around in interest. They seemed to be in the middle of nowhere. Where was the river?
“Stay there. I’ll come round and help you down.”
Before she could answer, he was out of the truck, moving around with long strides. The sun glinted off his dark hair. God, he really was gorgeous.
What was he doing here with her?
She didn’t know. Right then, she didn’t much care, either. Maybe it was selfish. But she wanted this experience. The memory would keep her going for a long time. She didn’t know where she would be next month, but she could always have this.
He opened the door and reached across to undo her seatbelt. Whoops. She could have done that herself.
Daddy in Cowboy Boots (Montana Daddies Book 9) Page 6