CASSIDY
“What?”I whispered.
The last thing I expected today was to get married.
Mr. Wilder patted me on the shoulder and went back outside along with Buck and Colt.
I was alone in the kitchen once again with Hayes.
“Marry me,” he said.
“You hate me.”
He shook his head, moved toward me. Eyes sharp, intent. “I love you.”
I sniffed. “How can you love me? I trickedyour family.”
“You hid.”
“I kept a secret.”
“Yeah, you did.”
“You’re mad.”
He shrugged. “Was. I understand now what you did and why. One day you’re going to tell me all of it. What your father did. Your brothers. I’m gonna spank your ass for it later, so be ready, ‘cause there won’t be secrets between us.”
“But–”
“You want the spanking now?” He wasn’t yelling. He was quiet. Calm.
I shook my head. “No, but I don’t understand.”
“What part ofI love youis confusing?”
“You can’t love me.”
He kept getting closer and I held up my hands to ward him off. All it did was give him easier access to them to hold.
“I watched you for weeks,” he admitted. “Did you know that?”
I licked my lips. “Yes.”
“That’s ‘cause you watched me right back. I wanted you from the first time I saw you, but I thought you were too young.”
“I am.”
“Not for me. You need someone to take care of you.Protect you. Spank your ass when needed. I think you do need a Daddy.”
I gasped.
“But I want to be your husband instead. I want to be Mr. Wilder to your Mrs. Wilder.”
“But–”
“Do you love me?”
“It’s happening so fast,” I said.
