Page 216 of Guardian Daddy

“You didn’t do anything wrong, baby. Kevin was saying shit because he was angry, not because it was true. And you didn’t split Samantha and Rhodes up. Plus, like you say, he can do better.”

His voice was so tender. Like nothing she’d heard before. It made her inside melt.

“But I did leave when you told me not to.”

“You did. And I’ll merge those two punishments into one.”

“I feel like you think that’s a kindness.”

Ethan just smiled. Leaning down, he brushed his lips against her lips.

Oh. That was nice.

Cate let out a disgruntled noise as he drew back.

“What’s wrong?”

“Um, I don’t want to tell you.”

“No more kisses until you tell me.”

What? That wasn’t fair. “You can’t make ultimatums like that!”

“Fine, how about if you tell me, I’ll kiss you?”

“That’s just the same thing turned around!”

He grinned. “I love that big brain of yours.”

Her body heated up and she had to work hard to keep her emotions at bay.

He said he loved your brain. Not you.

“I was thinking that felt nice and I didn’t want you to stop.” She felt herself blush. It was confusing how often she blushed around him. Maybe she was going through early menopause? Was that possible at thirty-five? She guessed it was.

“Nice? Damn. I need to try harder.”

This time, his hand crept around the back of her head and when his lips pressed to hers . . .

Well, nice didn’t come close to accurately describing the feeling.

He drew back and stared down at her. “Well? What word would you use now? How about stupendous?”

“Hmm, I’m not sure it’s up to the level of stupendous. Definitely amazing.”

“I’ll take amazing. But let’s see if I can earn stupendous. Open your mouth for me.”

Cate barely had time to comprehend the order before his mouth was on hers again. A moan escaped her as she wrapped her arms around his neck.

He slid his tongue into her mouth.

When he pulled back, they were both breathing heavily.

“Well? What do I get for that kiss?” he asked huskily.

“Five.”

“Five? Out of ten?”

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