Total pages in book: 98
Estimated words: 95756 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 479(@200wpm)___ 383(@250wpm)___ 319(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 95756 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 479(@200wpm)___ 383(@250wpm)___ 319(@300wpm)
She gave him a disgruntled look.
“Well? Who makes the rules in this household?”
“You know you do. But I can have an opinion.”
He nodded. “As long as it’s said respectfully.”
“And my opinion is you shouldn’t give up what you love for me.”
“Okay.”
Okay. That was it? She couldn’t believe it was that easy. She eyed him suspiciously as he gave her a calm look. “So, you’re not giving Linc your job?”
“I was never giving him my job. I’m the owner. I was promoting him.”
“And now you’re not?” She was confused.
“No. He’s still getting a promotion. And I’m delegating some of my tasks to him so I can spend more time with you.”
“But you just agreed not to do that!” she pointed out.
“No, I didn’t.”
“But… but…” she thought back over their conversation. “You said okay.”
“I listened to your opinion. I didn’t agree with it. And I have the final say in any decision in this household.”
She scowled. “You’re extremely bossy.”
He snorted. “You already knew that. So, you got any other ridiculous arguments?”
“My argument was not ridiculous.” Okay, now he was just making her mad.
“It certainly was.”
“It was not Clinton Matthew Jensen.” She pointed her finger at him. “I don’t think you should give up the ranch work. It’s what you love doing.”
He leered. “I love doing you more.”
She groaned. “I walked right into that, didn’t I?”
He winked at her. “First of all, I am not giving it up, I’m rearranging my work load to free up some of my time. Second of all, there is one thing in this life I love above everything else. Including my ranch. Do you know what that is?”
There was a look in his eye that told her she better answer that question right. “Me.”
“You, little girl.”
“I don’t want you to resent me,” she whispered.
“And I don’t want you not to have what you need,” he countered. “How could I resent you when spending time with you is what I want too?”
Warmth started to fill her as his words penetrated. It was what he wanted.
“This decision is mine. Of course, you might get a bit more than you bargained for once you realize how much more closely I’ll be keeping an eye on you. You’ve been getting away with far too much naughtiness.”
She widened her eyes. “I’m never naughty.” And she knew she’d lap up his attention like a coffee addict deprived of their fix. “You’re sure?”
“I’m sure. And that’s the damn last time I’m gonna tell you that.” He gave her a stern look.
She threw her arms around him and he clasped her tight, running his hand up and down her back as she clung to him.
She leaned back. “Does this mean you’ll have time to teach me to ride?”
“Guess it does.”
“And I can get a horse like Star Gazer?”
“We’ll see how you go with your lessons first, but I can assure you that if I buy you a horse it will not be like Star Gazer. You’ll be getting a much gentler mare.”
“That doesn’t seem fair.”
“I say what’s fair, remember?” He tapped her nose. “And I’m not having my baby ride a temperamental beast like Star Gazer.”
“You bought her for Eden,” she pointed out.
“Eden has been riding since before she could walk. And even she doesn’t ride Star Gazer anymore.” He looked a little sad at that and she immediately wanted to cheer him up. She let out a deep breath, letting herself sink into Little space.
“Daddy?”
“Yes, my naughty little darling?”
“I think you need a shower, you’re a bit smelly.” She waved a hand in front of her nose.
“Smelly?” He lay her on her back on the bed, then started to tickle her. “Smelly? You take that back.”
She howled with laughter, cursing the fact that she was so ticklish. “You’re not smelly! You’re not smelly!”
He stopped tickling her and gave her a stern look. “That’s better. I’m not smelly, I smell manly.”
“Oh, is that what you’re calling that stink?” she teased.
“I guess if I’m so smelly you won’t want a bath with me.”
Her eyes widened. Baths with Daddy were her favorite. Especially when he got out the toys.
“I do. I do.” She sat up with a squeal.
“Good. Because I need to have my little girl close. And while we’re having a bath, we can have a talk about obeying Daddy’s rules.”
“Do we have to?” she whined.
He raised her chin. “I don’t like that attitude. We definitely need a talk. And then we’ll deal with your punishment.”
“Daddy, no, I’ll be good. I promise.”
He leaned in and kissed her lightly on the lips. Then he ran his thumb under her eyes. “You look tired. Have you not been sleeping?”
“I’m fine,” she said quickly.
If he thought she needed it, he’d have no problem putting her down for a nap and she didn’t want a nap when he’d just gotten home. She wanted to spend time with him. She’d rather have a spanking than a nap.