“I understand.”
He took hold of her hand and led her into a tidy living room with a cathedral ceiling, making the room feel cavernous. She looked up, seeing gable windows. There was a fireplace that had already been lit. She rushed forward but he kept hold of her hand, not letting her get close.
“Be careful around the fire, okay? Don’t stand too close.”
She thought about pointing out that she wasn’t an idiot, but he’d already shown that he was on protective overdrive tonight. So she just nodded.
“You can have a snack while I set up your room.” He looked her over with a frown. “Or do you want a shower first?”
She did feel kind of sweaty and gross. “That would be great.”
“All right.” He grabbed her hand again. A shiver worked its way up her skin at the feel of him touching her.
The man was potent.
He pointed to a room off the living area. “Through there is the kitchen and dining.” They walked down a short hallway. “My room.” He nodded at the door across from his room. “The bathroom and your room are down there.” He opened the bathroom door and walked to the shower, turning it on. Again, everything was neat and clean. Weren’t men living alone meant to be messy? “You got PJs in here? Toothbrush?”
“No, I didn’t have time to grab any.”
“I’ll get you one of my T-shirts.”
He opened the cupboard and rustled around, pulling out a toothbrush in its packaging as well as a razor. “Here you are. Help yourself to anything you want. Clean towels are in here.” He pointed to another cupboard. “I’ll grab that T-shirt. When you’re clean and dressed head back out to the living area.”
She nodded. He quickly returned with a red T-shirt. After showering, a wave of exhaustion washed over her and she had to sit on the toilet lid for a moment. She only had one pair of panties so she’d gone without. She’d have to wash them now so she could wear them tomorrow.
Tears filled her eyes.
She knew she was just tired. That she had to get up and keep moving. Nobody was going to do this stuff for her. She’d been taking care of herself for a long time. Sometimes, though, it would be nice to let go of all the worries. To let someone else shoulder some of the decisions. Take care of her.
Linc takes care of you.
Yes. But she couldn’t get used to it. She wasn’t sure if he was taking care of her because he still wanted her. Or because he felt like he had to because she had nowhere else to go.
And she didn’t want to ask.
A knock at the door startled her and she realized she’d actually fallen asleep on the toilet. Yikes. That was embarrassing.
“Um, yes?”
“You okay?” he asked.
“Oh, yeah, coming.” As soon as she found some energy.
“You dressed?”
“Yep.”
The door suddenly opened without warning and she let out a startled cry. Okay she hadn’t been expecting him to just walk in. Thank God she hadn’t been lying about being dressed.
Walking forward, he crouched in front of her, resting his hands on her thighs.
Oh shit. She was all too aware of her bare pussy. Her clit throbbed as she pressed her thighs together.
“You’re all done in, aren’t you?” he crooned.
She sniffled. “Sorry. I just need a minute.”
“I don’t think a minute will help. You’re spent. You need a good night’s sleep.”
She wasn’t sure if that would be happening tonight. She wasn’t a very good sleeper anyway. And with everything that had happened tonight, plus being in a strange place, she was pretty sure sleep would elude her.
He brushed a thumb over her cheek. “Right. Let’s do what we have to in order to get you tucked up in bed. Any talk can wait for tomorrow. Do you need to pee?”
Her bladder just made itself known. Crap. Why did she have to have such a small bladder?
“Urgh, yes.”
“I’m guessing you won’t be comfortable with me staying while you go?” he asked.
Was he serious?
“You would guess right.”
He rolled his eyes at her. “Don’t know why. It’s just peeing.”
“I bet you wouldn’t want me watching you pee,” she countered.
He grinned. “Wouldn’t worry me. Just a bodily function. We all do it.”
Yeah, but that didn’t mean she wanted him around while she went. Sheesh. He stood and held out his hands, helping her stand. Thankfully, she was so short that his T-shirt reached mid-thigh.
“Right. You can pee on your own. But I’m going to leave the door cracked open. If you have any problems, call out.”
“I’ve been peeing on my own for a long time,” she told him dryly.
“I know. But you’re under my care now. You’re exhausted and trembling. I don’t want you falling and hurting yourself, okay? So just humor me.”
“Don’t stand out there listening to me,” she ordered.
He leaned in, brushing his lips across her cheek. “One day, you will be completely comfortable with me in the room when you pee then you’ll learn you’re worrying over nothing. I’ll take these and put them in the wash.” He picked up all her dirty clothes before she could say anything and left the bathroom.
Yeah. She didn’t see that day coming anytime soon.
Some things just didn’t need to be shared. Mumbling to herself, she peed and washed her hands then grabbed her backpack and made her way out into the hallway.
He was standing there, waiting. Which didn’t surprise her. Her dirty clothes were gone so he must have chucked them in the wash.
“I could have washed my clothes.”
He raised his eyebrows. “Of course you could have. I didn’t take them because you’re not capable. I put them in the wash because I want to help you.”
“Oh.” Way to sound ungrateful, Marisol. “Sorry, I’m not used to people, uh, helping me.”
He frowned slightly. “I figured that. Your aunt isn’t the motherly type.”
She let out a small bark of laughter. “No, definitely not.”
“Gonna need to put an extra blanket on your bed. Don’t want you getting cold.”
He seemed to have an obsession about keeping her warm. It was kind of cute.
“Come on, I have a snack ready in your bedroom.”
She made to follow him, but her legs seemed to have a mind of their own. She stumbled as she tried to walk, falling into the wall.
“Bad legs. Do as you’re told,” she muttered to herself.
Linc turned and grabbed her by the waist. “Whoa there. You’re not supposed to walk into the walls. And did you just tell your legs off?”
He drew her up into his arms, holding her against his chest.
“They’re not listening to me.”
“Hmm. I know what that feels like.” He gave her a pointed look.
“What does that mean? I listen to you.”
“Right. You just don’t always do what I say.”
“You’re not in charge of me.”
He set her down on a comfy, large bed. The covers had already been pulled back and a lamp was on beside the bed, giving the room a soft glow.
“Not yet. But tomorrow, you’re gonna learn that in this house, in this relationship, baby, I’m the boss.”
16
In this house, in this relationship, baby, I’m the boss.
Those words wouldn’t stop swimming through her head. She rolled over, barely suppressing a groan. This bed was super comfortable. The room was lovely. Not only had Linc made her a snack, but he’d produced an ice pack for her neck, fussing over her in a way no one had before. After she’d eaten and checked her blood sugar level, he’d tucked her in tight, then sat with her to tell her one of his stories. She’d closed her eyes and pretended to fall asleep, knowing he likely wouldn’t leave until she did.
He’d left the door cracked open with the hall light on. She’d waited until he was out of t
he room to climb from the bed and turn the lamp on then shut the door. Luckily, the lamp had a dim setting so it wasn’t too bright.
It had taken her a while to get out from under the covers. The man sure did know how to tuck a girl in tight.
The door didn’t have a lock, but she had to hope he wouldn’t just walk in. Going to her bag, she’d grabbed snuggly and Princess Nana.
Now here she was, her thumb in her mouth, snuggly rubbing back and forth under her nose as she tried to get to sleep.
It was so quiet here.
And when she closed her eyes, the events from tonight just kept running through her brain on repeat.
Not to mention her body felt like she’d been run over by a train. Seemed jumping from a second story balcony wasn’t a great idea.
Who knew?
There was also a part of her that was somewhat disappointed she wasn’t sleeping in Linc’s bed. She knew that was crazy. If he’d wanted her to sleep with him, she’d likely have freaked out. But now she was worrying that he didn’t want her like that.
She knew he was upset with her and she understood why. She just didn’t know how to fix things.
Knowing she wasn’t going to sleep, she pushed the blankets back and stood. A groan escaped as her body protested. Maybe she should have taken a bath. It was too late now, she didn’t want to wake Linc up. He’d told her that he would get up early and go do a few jobs then be back around eight. He definitely needed sleep more than she needed a bath.
Grabbing the bedding off the bed, she knew there was only one place she’d feel safe enough to maybe sleep. Opening the closet door, she made a bed for herself on the floor. Then she dragged in Princess Nana and her snuggly.
With a yawn, she snuggled into her makeshift bed. Wishing she had her eReader, she lay there until her eyelids eventually grew heavy. Exhausted, she finally slipped into sleep.
Linc moved quietly through his cabin, Marisol’s clean clothes in his arms. He’d been up for a few hours working, clearing some time so he could come back and see Mari. He’d also spoke to Kent about her situation. Kent had assured him he’d put everyone on alert, and that whatever Linc needed, he was there for him. He wished he’d checked in on her this morning before he’d left. Actually, he wished he’d insisted that she sleep with him. In his bed.
But he figured that was pushing things too far too fast. He didn’t want to scare her off. Plus, he’d needed some time to process things. He wasn’t happy about everything that she’d kept from him. But he also had to realize that they hadn’t known each other long. If she’d done this after they’d been in a relationship for a few months, their chat would go very differently from the one he intended to have with her.
He wasn’t surprised that she was still sleeping, she’d been exhausted last night. But he was wondering if he should wake her. He’d had a chat with Doc about type one diabetes and Doc had suggested sticking to set times for eating. He wasn’t sure when she usually ate breakfast and it was now after eight. Although she did have a midnight snack, so maybe he shouldn’t worry so much.
Opening up her door, he peeked in. He frowned when he saw the stripped bed.
What the hell? Where was she? Why had she taken the top sheet and blankets off the bed?
He strode in, worry flooding him. Had she left? But no, there was no way she could have. She didn’t have any clothes or a way off the ranch.
Setting her clean clothes on the dresser, he crouched down to check under the bed. Not there. He turned to the closet door and opened it.
His heart nearly stopped as he found her. It was a walk-in closet, and she was so short that she didn’t even look scrunched up. She was lying on her front with one leg cocked up. His T-shirt, that she was wearing, had ridden up just enough to show him the curve of a plump buttock and a hint of her pussy lips.
Fuck. Shit.
Immediately, his cock hardened and he felt like a pervy asshole.
Crouching down, he flicked the blanket over her naked backside. He noticed that she had a princess doll tucked into her bent arm. And in her hand, she held the corner of a pastel-colored blanket. She was sucking on her thumb and rubbing the blanket under her nose.
Fuck. That was adorable.
And another sign that his gut was right.
That she was a Little.
Affection filled him as he watched her. He wondered how long she’d had the blankie. It looked a bit old and worn in places. Should she be sucking her thumb? Maybe a pacifier would be better. He wondered if she’d ever tried one.
Suddenly her eyes opened. She looked up at him.
Then she screamed.
Marisol scrambled backwards quickly hitting a wall as she tried to get away from the man looming over her.
There was a man in her room. A man in her room.
Tiger!
“Marisol.”
She whimpered. Why hadn’t she locked the door? Idiot!
“Marisol!” He reached for her and she slapped at his hands. Tiger coming for her. Tiger grabbing her, forcing her to her knees.
“No! No!” she screamed.
“Marisol, it’s me. It’s Linc.”
“No. Noo! Tiger, no!”
“Oh jeez, baby girl. Teeny, it’s me. Shh, you’re killing me here. It’s me. It’s Linc.”
“Stay away. Stay away.”
“I’m not going to touch you. Just breathe, teeny. Look around you. You’re not with Tiger. You’re with me. Linc.”
The calmness of his voice combined with the fact that he wasn’t trying to touch her finally got through to her.
“L-Linc?”
“That’s right, Mari-girl. It’s Linc. Can you open your eyes up and look at me?”
Shudders worked their way through her body as her breath heaved in and out of her lungs. She looked up at him, taking him in.
Relief flooded her body. Linc. She was at his house. Nowhere near her aunt’s place or Tiger.
“Oh God. I’m so sorry.” She wiped at her cheeks as she realized she was crying. “I was dreaming about . . . about what happened and then I woke up and saw you there. Sorry. I didn’t hurt you, did I? I’m so sorry.”
“Hush,” he told her gently as he sat on the floor. Then she realized she was in the closet. Crap.
“Come on. Come out of there.” He stood and held out his hand, helping her out. Then he led her to the bed. When she was sitting on the mattress, he grabbed some tissues from the box on the nightstand. Kneeling on the floor in front of her, he grasped hold of her chin and wiped her face free of tears with an expert touch. “Of course you didn’t hurt me. And it was my fault for standing over you like that. No wonder you woke up screaming.”
She drew back and he let her go, studying her intently.
“Wait. What are you doing in here? Were you watching me sleep?”
Red tinged his cheeks. Was he embarrassed? Wow. She hadn’t thought someone as confident and together as Linc would blush.
That was sexy.
“I came in to check on you and you weren’t in your bed so I went looking for you. Sorry.”
“Oh God. Please don’t tell me I was doing anything embarrassing,” she moaned.
He raised his eyebrows. “What could you possibly do that would be so embarrassing?”
Any number of things. Drooling. Talking in her sleep. Sucking her thumb.
“I was worried that you might be sleeping too long. Why were you in the closet?”
She shrugged. “I often did that as a kid. I guess it feels safer to me somehow.”
He frowned. “You feel unsafe here?”
“No, no I don’t. It’s just . . . with everything that happened, I suppose I was feeling anxious. So I crawled in there.”
“No more sleeping in the closet,” he commanded.
“I was fine in there. It was comfy.”
“Not happening. Remember, I’m the boss.”
Oh yeah. She wasn’t forgetting him telling her that anytime soon.
“I should
have stayed with you until you fell asleep.” He studied her. “You still look tired. You might need a nap later.”
She didn’t know why, but him telling her she might need a nap made her want to squirm. It also made her want to pout like a three-year-old who was certain that they definitely didn’t want a nap. No matter how tired they were.
You’re not three. You’re an adult. Act like it.
“Did you have any other nightmares?”
“Ah, no, I don’t remember them if I did.” She let out a shuddering breath. “I actually slept pretty well considering. Sometimes I have trouble sleeping.”
“Not a shock you had one about that asshole. I’m going to call Ed soon and see what happened last night. You hungry?”
She nodded.
“Doc said it might be a good idea to stick to regular times for snacks and meals for your diabetes, is that what you do?”
Wow. He’d talked to a doctor about her? That was sweet. “Ahh. I try. Sometimes I forget though.
“I’ll go make some breakfast. Scrambled eggs on toast okay?”
“Sorry to be so much hassle.” She glanced down.
“Hey, look at me.” He waited until she raised her face. “You’re never a hassle, understand me?”
She nodded. But she didn’t believe it. She’d been a hassle her entire life. And things didn’t seem to be changing anytime soon.
“Oh, your clean clothes are on the dresser. We’re going to need to get you some new things, though. As cute as you are wearing one of my T-shirts, I don’t think you want to wear them all the time.” He winked at her and then left.
Crap! How had she forgotten that all she was wearing was his T-shirt? Yikes. How easily she could have flashed him.
After checking her blood sugar levels, she got dressed and pulled her hair back into a ponytail. She made the bed. She tucked her snuggly and Princess Nana back in the backpack. He hadn’t said anything about them. Maybe he hadn’t noticed them? Or maybe he thought she was a weirdo. If he’d seen her sucking her thumb, no doubt he already thought that.
Just get out there and eat breakfast.
Daddy in Cowboy Boots (Montana Daddies Book 9) Page 14