Page 31 of Daddy's Little Cowgirl

He sighed. “Sweetheart, why are you in here?”

“I can’t sleep in my room, so I tried the office. It helped because I think I felt closer to you here. It has your scent, and I can see your personality around the room.”

He pulled her onto his lap and set his head on top of her head. “I wish you would have told me. I hate that you were scared.”

“It’s okay. I’m being a baby…” she said.

“Don’t say that. You’re in a new house and new town with people you just met. Of course, it’s going to throw you off a little. It would with anyone.”

She tilted her head back. “Even you?”

He smiled. “Yes, even me.”

“Oh, okay.” It helped to know she wasn’t totally crazy.

“This can’t go on, Sweetheart. It’s dangerous sleeping on the top step, and I don’t like that you’re so far from my bedroom when you’re in this room.”

“I’m sorry. I’ll keep trying to sleep in my room.”

She started to fidget when he stared at her for a long moment.

He cupped her face. “I’m going to have you sleep with me. I think that’s the only way you’re going to feel safe enough to get some needed rest.”

Ellie fought to keep her body from twitching on his lap. The happiness she felt was outside her realm of experience.

He grinned. “I see you like that idea.”

Ellie nodded. “Yes. Are you sure it’ll be okay having me there?”

His thumb traced her bottom lip. “Oh, yeah, it’s okay. I’m just worried that I’ll scare you.”

She shook her head with total conviction. “You would never do that.”

“I need you to understand I’m talking about more than sleeping. I’ll touch every part of your body if and when you’re ready.”

“What does that mean?” she asked.

“It means I’ve wanted—no, I’ve needed—to be as far inside of you as I can get from the first time I saw you.”

Her eyes widened, and her heart thumped against her breastbone. “I want that, too.”

He groaned. “Fuck. I’m telling you now that if you give yourself to me, that’s it. You’ll never live anywhere but here.”

Ellie nodded. “Okay.”

He chuckled. “Let’s get ready for the day, but I want you to think about tonight.”

“Really? Do you mean it?”

He stood and set her on her feet. He bent and pressed his lips against the top of her head. “I absolutely mean every word.”

She bounced onto her toes and almost clapped. It felt unreal to her. She never thought he’d be attracted to her. But he did want her, and told her she’d be with him forever.

It was a dream come true.

Chapter Nineteen

Ellie could hardly contain her excitement for the rest of the day. She couldn’t keep the smile off her face, and the more she thought about being in his bed, the more her body ached.

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