Page 36 of Daddy's Wild Girl

Bebe opened the hallway closet, shoving her toolbox out of the way. She managed to create enough of a gap to pull her skateboard and helmet out.

“No. Nope. I’m out.” Hayes pointed at her skateboard. “I’m not doing that.”

This time, she couldn’t hide her smile. “You don’t have to skateboard. I’m just having a lesson.”

“Where?” Corbin asked.

“At the local skatepark, of course. So, who’s coming with me?”

Hayes turned to glare at Corbin and seemed to have a silent conversation between them.

Then Corbin sighed. “Looks like it’s me. Wait for me here. I’ll get a jacket.” He frowned, looking her over. “Where is your jacket?”

“I’m good.” She bounced on her toes, energy thrumming through her and needing a release. The voices in her head were getting louder and she had to expel them.

You’re not good enough,Belle. I’ve found someone better.

I was only with her for the publicity.

How can I use you when you’re my daughter? You should be grateful for all that I’ve done for you.

“You need a jacket,”Corbin insisted, distracting her from the voices in her head.

“I really don’t. I’m going to get warm quick skateboarding.”

“You still have to get there and back,” he told her. “Get a jacket. Please.” The last word seemed to be an afterthought. But she couldn’t ignore the ‘please.’

So, with a sigh, she pulled a jacket out of the closet and put it on. “Happy?”

“Ecstatic,” he muttered.

Corbin hadno idea what to say to her as they walked along the sidewalk toward the skatepark.

How are you?

Sounded stupid when they were living in the same house.

I’m glad you haven’t had any more nightmares.

Nope. Still sounded weird.

I miss talking to you. Sorry I reacted so badly.

I was just worried about you.

Yeah. None of it seemed to be the right thing to say.

“Sooo, are you going to talk to me again anytime soon?” she asked. “Or are you planning on ignoring me for the rest of the time you’re here?”

He paused, then turned to look at her. “I haven’t been ignoring you.”

“But you’ve been avoiding me,” she whispered.

Her gaze was on her feet and he longed to reach out and touch her chin, tilt back her face, and brush his lips against her soft, plump ones . . .

Whoa.

And this is why you need to chill. Take a step back.

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