Page 94 of Daddy's Wild Girl

“Uh, no. I think I can manage.”

He frowned and set her down on the bathroom counter. Instead of leaving, though, he caged her in with his hands resting on the counter on either side of her.

“I want you to listen to me. Listen and take it in, okay?”

Uh-oh.

This sounded very serious, but she felt like she’d had enough seriousness for one night.

“You got it, boss.” She gave a salute, but his lips didn’t twitch. He continued to stare at her solemnly.

“I don’t ever want you to think that you don’t matter. Because you matter a great deal. You are funny, kind, smart, and gorgeous. The world is a better place with you in it. And you need to hear that and believe it.”

“Corbin,” she whispered. She hadn’t been going to hurt herself.

Or she didn’t think she had been.

“If you ever need anything. Someone to talk to. Someone to help you. Even if it’s something like helping you open a jar of pickles or move a heavy bookcase or give you a hug. I’m there. Unconditionally. Got me?”

Her nose stung and she had to fight to hold back her tears. She blinked several times.

“Yeah. I got you.”

Leaning forward, he kissed her forehead. His lips lingered, burning her cool skin.

“Hayes is right. You are a very good girl.”

Damn. There it was.

Good girl.

Killing. Her.

24

Bebe ignored the knocking on her bedroom door. She shoved herself farther under the covers.

She was feeling too vulnerable and tired to get up today. After her bath last night, she’d actually managed to fall asleep right away.

And she’d slept until after ten. Which was unheard of for her. But after getting up to use the bathroom quickly, she’d jumped back into bed.

She simply wasn’t ready to face the day and everything that had happened last night.

God. Her mother. The show. The bridge.

Corbin.

He’d called her baby. She loved that. No one had ever called her baby. Or ripped off their shirt to give it to her because she was cold. Or carried her just because they could.

No one had ever chased after her when she was upset . . . of course, it was his job to keep her safe.

But it wasn’t his job to actually care.

“Bebe, let me in, darling.”

Baby and darling?

Had she died and gone to heaven?

---