Total pages in book: 54
Estimated words: 50753 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 254(@200wpm)___ 203(@250wpm)___ 169(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 50753 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 254(@200wpm)___ 203(@250wpm)___ 169(@300wpm)
“He’s in. Now, I’ll see if he’s as talented as I think. Steele’s going to be pissed.”
“Why?” Sapphire questioned.
“He’s a welder.”
“Isn’t that what Steele does?”
“It is. But there’s another new recruit who’s got experience too. Steele can have him,” Blade said.
“You really like the design?” she asked.
“I think I need a new tattoo.”
“Really? Where are you going to put it?”
“Right over my heart, Blue Eyes.”
“Can we go back to your room, and you can show me where?” Sapphire trailed a finger along his throat to the neckline of his T-shirt.
“I thought you’d never ask.” Scooping her up into his arms, Blade strode down the hallway. He could answer questions and celebrate with the MC later.
Having his Little girl with him in the morning and the evening meant everything to Blade. Sapphire had been spending the night with him since the incident with that man. Peering over his cup of coffee at the woman sitting on the barstool in the MC’s gathering room, Blade watched her face as he said, “I want you to move in here permanently with me.”
“Give up my apartment?” she asked. “That’s a big step.”
“I want you in my arms every night. We could live at your place if you’d rather.”
He watched her scan the large space. Several people were already up. Kade and Remi sat at a table, having breakfast together. He raised a biscuit to her lips, and she obediently took a bite. Her gaze focused on Gabriel moving around the kitchen to feed everyone. His Little, Eden, obviously had chosen to sleep in. A few single members sat in clumps around the room, drinking coffee and eating breakfast. The shop opened late on Sunday morning with a skeleton crew to take care of emergencies.
“I like it here. I have lots of new friends,” she told him.
“So, we stay here. Want to keep your apartment for a while until you’re sure you want to move in with me?” he asked.
“You sound so confident. You don’t have any doubts, do you?” she asked. Her gaze assessed him carefully.
“I don’t. I don’t think you do either,” he challenged.
She thought for a minute before confessing, “I don’t. I love you and want to be with you.”
“Then we live here together.”
“It’s that easy?” she asked.
“Yes. What do you want to do on your day off, Blue Eyes?”
“I’d like to do some designing with you. Then maybe we could take a ride to get lunch? There’s a seafood restaurant on Milligan’s Lake I’ve wanted to go to,” she suggested.
“I’ve heard of that place. Good plan, Little girl. Then a nap and playtime with your friends.”
“I don’t need to sleep during the day, Blade,” she said, laughing.
“It’s your day off. You need to rest. You’re always so busy. I don’t want you to run yourself down. You’ll get sick.”
“I’m never ill,” she protested.
“I’m glad.”
“You’re still going to make me take a nap?” she asked in disbelief.
“With a red bottom or without. That’s your choice.”
She squirmed a bit in her chair. He could almost hear the gears in her brain churning away. “You have to lie down with me.”
“Okay.” Blade would stretch out with her in his arms. That certainly wouldn’t be a hardship. He’d hold her any time he could.
The look on her face tempted him to laugh, but Blade controlled that impulse. He waited to see what she would say next.
“You were supposed to say no. Now I can’t argue with you,” she told him.
“Arguing with your Daddy is never a smart idea. Maybe you need to experience that naughty corner?” he suggested.
“I don’t think I’d like that,” she whispered.
“No, sweetheart. I don’t think so either. So, some design work, a ride to lunch, a nap, and play with your friends?”
“Sounds like a great day,” she said agreeably.
“Good girl. Now, let’s finish breakfast and we can go brainstorm some new ideas.”
That brought a genuine smile to her lips. As they talked about some concepts she already had, Blade knew she’d get used to him taking care of her. One step at a time.
Chapter
Thirteen
A raspy cough woke Blade. He glanced at the clock—three a.m. The hacking sound drew his attention back to the woman in his arms. Heat radiated from her. Concerned, Blade put a hand on her forehead. Sapphire was burning up.
A flurry of harsher coughs woke her. Blade drew her higher on the pillows. Sapphire pulled her teddy bear closer to her chest as she struggled to stop coughing.
“Let me get you something to drink,” he told her gently before rolling away.
He was back at her side with cool water in her favorite pink sippy cup. “Here, Blue Eyes. Try this.” Blade slid an arm under her shoulders to elevate her head.
She took several sips before sagging backward. “I don’t feel well, Daddy.”
“I’m sorry, sweetheart. You’re burning up.”
“I’m cold, Daddy. Can I have another blanket?” she said through chattering teeth.