Page 56 of Wolf's Mark

His eyes lit up and I was certain he was going to drag me to the couch, turning me over his knee.

Which in truth I wouldn’t have minded.

There was something awesome about his power over me.

“Tell me about your daughter.”

“Britney is a little mini-me and will be a holy terror when she grows up. I’m already counting the days until she asks about her first boy. Trust me, it will happen sooner than you think. She’s the light of my life and the reason for my being.”

“You had her young.”

“Yep. I made a huge mistake, but because I did, I have the best gift in the world. I wouldn’t change things for millions of dollars. She’s my world.”

“Is she close to her father?”

“He’s going through some issues right now and the courts deemed it safer for her to be with me full time. I won’t keep her from him when he gets better.”

“Mmm… I won’t pry.”

“Don’t. It’s very personal and you’re right. I just want to forget about my past and these last few days for a little while. Maybe that’s selfish, but Mattie will take good care of her while I’m gone.”

“As you know, my brother has kids, a boy as well. He still has his hands full even though the youngest will be going to college next year.”

“Happily married and living the dream life?”

His face clouded over. “No. Unfortunately, Riker’s life has seen a side of tragedy few should ever experience. But he’s a great dad and I envy him.”

“Well, you can babysit my precocious little girl any time you want to feel like a dad. I assure you that she’ll have you turned upside down and inside out trying to keep up with her. Then you’ll beg me never to ask you to babysit her again.”

He inched closer. “You underestimate me, lady. I’ll have you know I was considered the king of hide and seek and bath time antics when Daphne and Gage were little.”

“Well then, you’re hired to be her nanny.”

As he crowded my space, placing his free hand on the window, I was pushed away from all the other thoughts except for him.

“Right now, there’s no one else here but us. You’re mine for the night. Do you understand?”

“Mmm… Maybe. If you’re a good boy.”

Every time his eyes darkened, I could feel a shift in his desire. When his breathing became labored, I was thrilled. And when he lowered his head to kiss me, an entire swarm of butterflies descended into my stomach.

No man had ever had this kind of effect on me.

He kept his lips hovering over mine. I could also feel him daring me to kiss him. I used every ounce of self-control to keep from doing so.

“Are you afraid of heights?” he asked. His voice was huskier than before, another indication of his plans.

“Not particularly. Although you won’t find me skydiving.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.” He backed away by several steps, immediately grabbing my hand.

“Where are you taking me?”

“Somewhere very private.”

“Isn’t this very private?” I asked.

He didn’t bother answering or giving me a look of any kind. He led me through another room in the house to an elevator.

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