Total pages in book: 47
Estimated words: 44932 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 225(@200wpm)___ 180(@250wpm)___ 150(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 44932 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 225(@200wpm)___ 180(@250wpm)___ 150(@300wpm)
“Kitten,” Zale said, lowering himself to the floor. “You’re okay. You’re safe. I’m not going to let anything happen to you.”
“It’s like they erased me—and I helped them,” she sobbed.
Zale wrapped himself around her, pulling her close to his warmth and rocking her slowly. “You are important. You are seen. I hadn’t told you yet because I didn’t want to scare you, but I’m falling in love with you, Pippa.”
“In love with me?” she asked, lifting her head from her knees. “You’re not just saying that because I’m a big crybaby?”
“A, you’re not a crybaby. You’re allowed to have feelings and sometimes those emotions get so big they spill out. B, I don’t say things I don’t mean. Ever. And C, yes, kitten. You crashed into my life. The last thing I expected was to find my little girl running from a bad guy. But I did. You have my heart, Pippa.”
She searched his face, attempting to spot any kind of deceit or well-intentioned sympathy that would make him exaggerate his feelings. Pure concern and caring radiated toward her. Pippa didn’t hesitate. She threw herself forward into his arms.
His arms tightened around her as they fell backward. Pippa looked down at his handsome face and knew it wasn’t too soon. “I kept thinking it was too soon to care this much about anyone. But you’re not just anyone. You’re my daddy, aren’t you?”
“I’m your daddy, little girl. Come here.”
He cupped the back of her head and guided her lips to his. The first kiss was soft and sweet. That wasn’t what Pippa needed. She deepened the exchange, pouring all her emotions into the exchange. The heat skyrocketed into a sizzling kiss.
She squirmed on top of his hard frame. He stroked his free hand down her spine to cup her bottom, holding her flush against him. His body responded to their closeness, pressing against her. Feeling sexier and more powerful than ever before, Pippa deliberately wiggled her pelvis against his.
Zale tore his mouth from hers. “Little girl. Be careful. I only have so much control.”
“What happens if you lose control?” she asked, holding her breath.
“Pippa, are you asking for what I think you’re hinting at? I don’t want to rush your decision to make love for the first time. You need to be ready.”
She lowered her mouth to his once again and kissed him deeply. He tasted like warm spice. His tongue explored her mouth, tempting and tantalizing her. The earthy scent of his skin created a primitive need inside her. All her senses were on overload—and she wanted more.
Pippa breathed a bit harder when she lifted her head a scant distance. Allowing her lips to brush against his as she spoke, Pippa whispered, “Daddy, make love to me. I need you.”
Zale closed the distance between them and claimed her lips. This time, the intensity of his kiss sizzled inside her all the way to her toes. How many women has this man kissed to have such skills? Pippa forced that thought from her mind. He was completely focused on her.
“Stop thinking, kitten.”
How did he know? “Okay,” she promised and then exclaimed, “Oh!” as Zale shifted her gently to sit on the floor as he sat up.
Rising smoothly to his feet, he slid an arm under her legs and picked her up. Carrying her, Zale turned and headed for the hall.
“Where are we going?”
“I’m not going to make love to you smelling like a training mission,” he declared as he turned into the main bedroom and proceeded into his large bathroom. He cranked on the water. “You’re going to have to take a shower with me, little girl. First, call me Daddy again. I need to hear it.”
“Daddy?” she repeated.
A wide smile spread his lips. “That’s my girl.”
Zale reached over his head to grab a handful of his T-shirt and yanked it over his head. She’d seen his chest before, but doubted the thrill of seeing him would never fade. He yanked the fasteners of his fatigues apart, allowing the waistband to fall open. Her eyes traced a path down his chest to the top of his sagging pants as he toed off his boots.
Damn.
“Now, I get to unwrap the best present I found under a tree.”
She couldn’t help but laugh at the thought that him finding her hiding in the woods was like a Christmas present. Her giggles stopped as he stepped closer to cup her shoulders. Their gazes fused together.
“Are you sure this is what you want?”
Pippa nodded as her cheeks heated. “Yes, please.”
“So polite,” he complimented. “You can tell me to stop at any time, okay?”
“Okay,” she whispered.
“Are you on any type of birth control?”
“No. I’ve never…” Her voice trailed away.
“Then I’ll protect you now. We’ll decide down the road if we want to use something else.” He leaned down to kiss her. All the worries about testing and experience ebbed away. She could only concentrate on him.