Page 34 of Hold Me Until Morning

“I need you to let it go,” I whispered.

My father’s throat bobbed as he swallowed, and he slowly nodded. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you. I just want to help you…fix this.”

Pain pealed through my insides, the clanging of chains, and I lifted my chin, refusing to look away when I said, “I already did.”

He ran his thumbs over my arms where he still held onto me. “Okay, we won’t talk about this right now.”

I wanted to tell him we wouldn’t talk about it ever.

It was dead and buried.

I would never go back to Pruitt.

But I figured I’d take what I could get right then.

“I’m really happy you’re doing so well here. That you’re back in your element.” His gaze was soft as he looked around the stables. “Though I still don’t understand why you refused to come and work for me.”

“I think it’s time I spread my wings a little bit, don’t you? Stood on my own?”

“It doesn’t have a thing to do with you standing on your own. I’m just jealous Cambrey Pines got the best stable manager in the west.” His smile was soft.

Affection swelled, pushing at my ribs. “Thank you, Dad. You really don’t know what that means to hear you say that.”

“I mean it.” He stepped back and ran a hand through his hair. “All right, I’d better let you get back to work. Bring Maddie by soon?”

“I will.”

He tapped the knuckle of his index finger on my chin. “Love you.”

“Forever,” I told him, and he turned and strode down the hall that led to the backside of the stables where the offices were located.

I watched him go, trying to regulate my breathing. To calm the riot that clattered through my being.

Only that riot erupted into chaos when my phone buzzed in my pocket, and I pulled it out to see the message that was waiting.

It was only a number, the sender not in my contacts, but I knew who it was the second I read it.

Unknown

Who said I wanted a one-night stand?

My stomach tightened, and in an instant, my blood felt too hot.

I should ignore it. Block his number. Tell him how wildly inappropriate he was being using my number for personal reasons when that business card had been meant for work purposes only.

But no, instead, I foolishly glanced around all covert-like to ensure no one was around before I tapped out a reply. Apparently, playing with fire was my thing.

Me

And what made you believe I want anything from you at all?

It took all of two seconds for another text to blip through.

Unknown

Do you think I can’t feel it? The way every molecule in your body reacts when I get close? Don’t fool yourself, Shortcake.

Unbelievable.

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