Total pages in book: 94
Estimated words: 94205 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 471(@200wpm)___ 377(@250wpm)___ 314(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 94205 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 471(@200wpm)___ 377(@250wpm)___ 314(@300wpm)
“But it’s not safe to do that while driving.”
“I thought you Malone men liked to live dangerously.”
“We’ve got that reputation. And I guess we do. Until we meet the woman who can bring us to our knees. And then we turn into overprotective cavemen.”
“That’s nice too.”
He drove up in front of the house. She was crazy, yet he wouldn’t have her any other way.
Walking around the truck, he lifted her out and took her up to their bedroom.
“Butchie-baby, I’m tired.”
“You can go to bed soon,” he told her as he stripped her off and put one of his T-shirts on her.
“I want cuddles.” She held up her arms.
“As soon as you pee, and we brush your teeth.”
“No fair.”
He helped her into the bathroom and drew her panties down before setting her on the toilet. “Pee, baby.”
“I might not need to pee.”
“You do. I’m going to get you some water and painkillers or you’re going to have a hell of a headache in the morning.”
When he returned with the painkillers and bottle of water, she was washing her hands at the bathroom sink.
“Did you brush your teeth?” he asked.
“They are squeaky clean. Wanna check?” She took the pills he held out, washing them down with some water.
“I’ll take your word for it.”
She wrapped her arms around him. “Butchie-baby, you’re the best cuddle bear in the world. I love you. You won’t ever leave me, will you?”
He tightened his arms around her. “Never, baby girl. You and me. We’re in this forever. For life.”
She sighed happily. “For life.”
32
Why were there horses running through her head?
“Good morning, baby girl.”
With a groan, she opened her eyes and peered up at Butch. “Is it? Is it really?”
“Feeling a bit worse for wear, are we?” Butch teased. He set a tray of food on the bedside table.
“Yes. And I’m not hungry.”
“Well, you need to eat,” he countered. “Let’s sit you up.”
“Let’s not,” she grumbled. But there was no stopping a Malone once they made up their mind. He had her sitting up with pillows behind her in no time.
But that made her head thump more.
Then he did something that made her remember why she loved him so much.
He handed her some painkillers and water.
“I really love you,” she said.
“Are you talking to me or the painkillers?” he asked, sounding amused.
“Both.” She swallowed them down, hoping they’d work quickly. “I need to get up. Got to pee.”
He stood and helped her up. She rushed into the bathroom, sitting on the toilet with a sigh. When she finished up, she moved to wash her hands and let out a yelp of fright as she caught sight of herself in the mirror.
“What is it? What’s wrong?” Butch asked, rushing into the bathroom.
“I look terrible. Why didn’t you say something?” She attempted to tame her wild hair, but it wasn’t working. So she splashed some water on her face.
Butch turned her gently, cupping her face in his hands. “Because you always look beautiful to me.”
“Then you’re blind.”
“That’s ten,” he warned.
Ten? Yikes.
“And that’s on top of the ten you have coming after last night.”
Oh shit.
“What did I do last night?”
“You went drinking without me.”
“Tanner was with us!”
“You made me worry.”
“We were fine.”
“And you called me your cuddle bear! In front of Tanner and Alec.”
“Oh, did I?” Whoops. “Sorry.”
Leaning in, he kissed her gently. “You are always beautiful. No matter what.”
“Don’t kiss me. I probably have gross breath.”
He shook his head at her. “Come and eat something. I’m not going to spank you until you’re feeling better.”
“I feel like this might be a long recovery,” she muttered as she climbed back into bed.
He slapped her on the ass, making her yelp. “Hey!”
“That was just a teaser.” He laid the tray over her lap. There was some bacon, hash browns, cut up fruit, and a glass of juice. She wished she felt like she could eat any of it without it all coming back up.
“No coffee?” She really needed coffee.
“You’re dehydrated. That’s why you have a headache. What you need is water.”
She gave him her best pout.
“Nope. Put it away. Water or juice until your headache is gone. Now, have some hash brown.” He forked some up, holding it to her lips until she took a bite.
Her mind went over everything that happened last night. She winced at the memories. Yikes.
“Wait!” She sat up straight, nearly knocking the tray off her lap. He grabbed it, setting it aside. “Am I remembering correctly?”
“I don’t know,” he said slowly. “What do you remember?”
“I have a singing gig? At Dirty Delights? Each Saturday?”
“That’s right. Devon offered it to you last night.”
“Oh God, I’m going to be sick.” She placed her hand over her stomach.
He picked her up and raced with her to the toilet before she could explain. He set her down in front of the toilet, holding back her hair.