Total pages in book: 153
Estimated words: 155903 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 780(@200wpm)___ 624(@250wpm)___ 520(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 155903 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 780(@200wpm)___ 624(@250wpm)___ 520(@300wpm)
“S-sorry. I don’t know what’s w-wrong with me. I was riding t-this high and now I’m s-sad.”
“I think you might have gone into subspace and then crashed. You have nothing to be sorry about. I should have known this might happen.”
She shook her head. “Contrary to your belief, you don’t know everything.”
“Hush, brat. That’s blasphemy and subject to the punishment of having to wear a vibrating egg for an hour.”
Okay, that punishment didn’t sound so bad. Still, she was sure that he could make it diabolical.
“Sorry, Daddy, oh wise one who knows everything.”
“That’s better. It’s good to be acknowledged and treated as is my due.”
She had to giggle. He wrapped his hand around the back of her neck, drawing her back so he could look down at her.
“Are you feeling better, baby?”
“Yes, Daddy.”
“You’re sure?”
“I’m sure. I . . . I liked that. Doing that. It cleared my mind of everything else and I was almost floating. It felt so good and then I kind of fell.”
He nodded. “When that happens, I’ll always be here to catch you. As long as you never try to run and hide from me.”
Wow. He knew her well. It was kind of unnerving. But she nodded.
“That’s my good girl.” He checked the time. “I have to go get dressed. Cat and Rafael will be here soon. Are you going to be all right without me?”
“Of course!” She made her voice sound light and happy when she felt anything but.
Faith wanted to grab hold of him and never let go.
You have this. You can do this.
54
Reuben stared down at the woman who had her arms and legs around him, clinging on to him like a monkey.
Fuck.
He couldn’t leave her like this.
The doorbell rang, and he opened it.
Cat walked in, smiling widely. “I’m here!”
Faith startled, then turned her head toward Cat. “Cat! Hi!”
She released him slowly and he helped her stand. He could see how hard it was on her to let him go.
Fuck. He hated this.
“I’m going to cancel my meeting,” he said abruptly.
Rafaek, who’d stepped in behind Cat, gave him a knowing look.
Faith’s eyes widened. “What? Why?”
“You’re not doing well, baby,” he told her quietly.
Her shoulders dropped. “I’m all right. I promise.”
“Of course you are!” Cat said, wrapping her arm around Faith’s. “I’m here now to save you from too much testosterone. Of course, I had to bring Rafael, but he’s really just one of the girls.”
“I am not,” Rafael grumbled, glaring at Cat.
“You can go, Reuben. We need girl time.” Cat led Faith away. “I brought us some mani-pedi kits and chocolate and cupcakes.” She patted the huge bag on her shoulder.
Faith turned back to give Reuben a tremulous smile.
Fuck.
“Make sure you drink your water. And have a snack. I’ll be back before dinner.”
She nodded.
“I’ll be quick,” he muttered at Rafael.
The big man shrugged. “Doesn’t make much difference. Cat is going to stay as long as Cat wants. The other woman is here?”
“Cammie. Yes, she’s in her bedroom. Watch her if she comes out. I don’t want her upsetting Faith.”
“You think Cat would allow that?”
Reuben knew that she wouldn’t, but he’d still get back as soon as he could.
Cat turned toward Rafael as he entered the kitchen. She and Faith were sitting at the table. “Reuben’s gone?”
“Yep,” Rafael said, eyeing Faith carefully.
She tried to hide the fear at knowing Reuben was gone. What was wrong with her?
“Good. You okay, Faith?” Cat asked.
“I guess. You brought us stuff to do mani-pedis?” she asked.
“God, no. I brought us the good stuff. Rafael, can you see if you can find a sharp knife and a chopping board?”
Why would she need those things?
Then Cat drew out a bottle of tequila, plonking it down on the table.
Followed by a bag of limes.
And a shaker of salt.
Uh-oh.
Rafael groaned. “Where did you get that from?”
“Um, the shop.” Cat gave him an innocent look.
“The shop?” he asked skeptically.
“All right, I stole the tequila out of Alejandro’s office and the limes from the kitchen. Doomy Gloomy won’t be happy since I think he wanted them for dinner tonight. But he’ll get over it.”
“Doomy Gloomy?” she asked.
“Ahh, yeah. He’s like the butler-slash-cook-slash-bringer of doom and gloom.”
“Right. Makes perfect sense. Reuben has a housekeeper who might or might not be invisible.”
Cat grinned. “Anita? Nah, she’s just really good at keeping out of Reuben’s way. Rafael?”
Rafael put down the knife and chopping board on the table. “I’ll cut the limes. Last thing I need is you cutting yourself. Also, I’m going to tell on you.”
“Remember what snitches get,” Cat sung.
“You will not put blue dye in my shower gel.” Rafael pointed at her.
Cat just grinned. “Who me? Why would I do something like that?”
“Because you’re a brat.”
Cat gasped. “So rude. What happened to bodyguards being invisible?”
“Those bodyguards weren’t tasked with guarding you.”
Ouch. Those words might have hurt Faith’s feelings, but Cat’s laughter told her that this was how the two of them often interacted.