Page 69 of Guardian Daddy

He breathed out a sigh of relief, because if she’d said she wanted him to walk away he didn’t think he would be able to.

“I’m not sure I’d remember to use a safeword, but I suppose having one makes sense.”

“What would you like it to be?” he asked.

“I think I will go with Red. It will be easier for me to remember and say.”

“Perfect.”

“What happens now?” she asked. “I don’t know the proper protocol for getting upset, then pulling a man into your closet so he can hold you.”

“Hmm. You know, I’m not sure of the proper protocol for that myself. But I feel like it might involve a cocktail by the pool.”

“I don’t drink,” she said.

“And while I’m working, I don’t either. Plus, it’s only one in the afternoon. Would you accept orange juice in a glass with an umbrella?”

“Could I also have a maraschino cherry?” she asked.

“Play your cards right, and I’ll give you two.”

“We’re going to play cards?”

“We can if you want.” He had to smile. “But I meant that if you’re a good girl, you get two.”

“Oh. How do I be a good girl?”

“Just by being yourself.”

She snorted. “Oh dear. Sorry. I didn’t mean to make that noise. It’s just whenever I was ‘myself’ my aunt would tell me I was an awful, rude child.”

“Fuck that bitch.”

Cate leaned back and looked up at him. “Ethan!”

“Yes?”

She was quiet for a moment. “You know what? You’re right. Fuck that bitch.”

Hearing her swear like that had him full-on smiling.

“Am I being cute again?”

So cute that he wanted to kiss her. Something else he shouldn’t do. So he settled for tapping the tip of her nose. “So damn cute.”

18

Cate was exhausted as she sat by the pool with her eReader

Ethan approached with two glasses of orange juice. And there were three maraschino cherries on a stick in her glass. Along with a cute yellow umbrella.

Yes.

She held out her hand for the drink and he handed it to her. He set his drink down, along with two bottles of water that he’d had under his arm.

“I’d like you to drink the water, too, please.”

Hmm. There went that please again that made it seem like it should be a request. But it certainly felt more like a demand.

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