“Yeah. When Chad first grabbed me, I was caught off guard. I did manage to headbutt him and run, but otherwise, I was helpless. I’m happy to learn anything to help me defend myself.”
“Well, you stay close to me and you won’t need to. I’m the toughest man here.”
“I believe that, and I promise to stay close to you, but I’d still like to learn.”
“You can keep at it as much as you’d like. I’m all for you protecting yourself. Mal’s a bit of a hard ass, though.”
“I like hard asses.”
“You know, I warned you about the bad language earlier today.” I’m about to argue that he said it first when his voice dips low and rumbly. “I think you need a spanking to help you learn your lesson.”
I know how to play sexy too.
“I’m sorry, Daddy. I was naughty.”
His breath hitches, and I smile. “I missed this too.”
“Me carrying you like a princess?”
“No, the flirting and whispering sexy things to each other.”
“You better not be flirting with anyone else.”
“Just you, Daddy.” My hand lands over his heart.
“Good answer.” We’re quiet for a minute before Daddy scolds me. “Rabbit. Stop touching my chest like that.”
“But I love your chest so much. It’s big and strong and makes my milk.”
“Not here, rabbit,” he whispers, and I look around, worried I might have just given away his worst secret. “You can show me how much you love it in our room.” He waggles his eyebrows, and I know he’s not upset.
“Did you just call it our room?”
“I did. You won’t be sleeping anywhere else.”
“Maybe I should go back to the house until we can ease Brendan into this.” I don’t think he’ll like how quickly things are progressing between me and Lex.
“Do you want to sleep without me?” he asks and looks kinda sad.
“No, I’ve enjoyed sleeping with you, but this is all happening so fast.”
“Rory, I’m sorry if I’ve overwhelmed you, but my feelings came on hard and fast, and I want you to be mine, but also safe and happy.”
“Will you let me go back to school?”
“Of course. That’s your dream.” He nods.
“What if I don’t want to be a nurse anymore?” I’ve been thinking about it since I spent so much time in the hospital and realized hospitals suck. But it’s what I’ve always wanted, and I’m so close to graduation…
“It’s okay for plans or dreams to change.” He sets me down in his—our—room. When he looks down at me with those piercing eyes, I feel so seen. Not just as Rory the victim or Rory the nurse, but as Rory the person who’s still hurting. I hide it from Brendan because I don’t want to be a burden to him, and I hide it from my therapist because I don’t want more drugs from her.
“So you’d be okay if I said I didn’t want to finish school?”
“I would encourage you to finish it since you’re so close. Then you have your degree if you ever want it. But no, if you don’t want to finish school, I won’t let anyone force you.”
“I’m not ready yet, and I might never be ready again, but if I go, can I take Tag with me?”
He grins. “Try leaving without him.”
