Page 29 of Daddy's Little Cowgirl

Ridge wiped a hand down his face and then noticed how dirty his hands were. His eyes narrowed when Maggie threw back her head and laughed.

“I have streaks of dirt down my face now, don’t I?” he asked.

Maggie continued laughing but did nod her head.

“I’m going to shower. We’ll be down in a bit.”

“You got it,” Maggie said and turned back to her pot on the stove.

He gritted his teeth when he continued to hear her laughing all the way up the stairs.

Ridge would have to find a way to keep his head focused when he was working instead of thinking about Ellie, naked, legs spread, and her cunt ready to take him. He needed to concentrate on his job, accidents happened all the time, and he’d known of a few men who had been killed when they hadn’t watched what they were doing.

He thought about calling Darian and thought if he had time later, he’d try to reach him. Hopefully, he would get some answers that would help calm him and settle her.

He paused in his doorway when he caught sight of Ellie, tucked into his bed with her arms wrapped around his pillow. The sight before him made a lump of emotion gather in his throat. It was one of the most beautiful and peaceful things he’d ever seen, and he wanted nothing more than to crawl in there with her and tuck her against his body.

The mute light coming in through the window spilled a patch directly on her, making her look like an angel. He pressed the heel of his hand against the middle of his chest, where it felt like his heart was being altered and his life was shifting, but for the good. He had no idea why he felt so intensely, but he considered the fact that he might already be in love with the woman. He thought he’d been in love before but compared to what he felt now with Ellie, he was beyond it.

Before he gave in to the urge to crawl in bed with her, he knew he had to shower because he did stink to high heaven.

He stripped off his clothing and put it in the hamper before stepping under the water. He usually took time and let the hot water cascade down his body, relaxing him after a hard day, but he wanted to get back to her as soon as possible.

After he dried off, he pulled on a pair of sweatpants, a t-shirt, and socks. He walked back into the bedroom and smiled. She hadn’t moved a muscle in the last few minutes.

He debated not waking her up, but she was already too thin. He could tell she didn’t take care of herself. But she had him now, and he would do whatever it took to make her healthy and happy.

He sat on the side of the bed and rested his hand on her hip. “Baby, wake up for me.”

She moved her leg, but that was it. He lightly shook her. “Ellie, wake up. I want you to eat something. I’ll get you settled after so you can go back to sleep.”

She blinked a few times and tried to focus on him and then relaxed back.

He grinned. When she finally got some sleep, she slept hard.

He rolled her onto her back and lay down beside her, balancing his upper body on his elbow. He set his other hand on her stomach and started making circles. She hummed and set her hand on his. He didn’t let it stop him.

“Ellie, wake up right now.” He tried to sound tough or harsh, but it didn’t seem to affect her. He rolled her to her stomach and then brought his hand down on her ass.

She shrieked into the pillow. “Why did you do that?”

“Because I’ve been trying to wake you up, and you wouldn’t.”

She struggled to sit up. “I’m sorry. I guess I was really tired.”

He smiled. “Yeah, maybe a little. I want us to go down and eat, and then, if you’re still up for it, we can watch a movie.”

She nodded. “Yes. I’d like that.”

He knew the moment she realized she was on his bed.

“Oh my God,” she cried out and tried to scramble off the bed. “I can’t believe I fell asleep on your bed. I’m so sorry.”

He held her easily and pulled her onto his lap. “Don’t be sorry. Seeing you here made the stress of the day disappear. If I hadn’t smelled so bad, I would have climbed in with you.”

She stared up at him and then raised her hand and used her finger to slide over his face.

“You could have,” she murmured softly.

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