Page 113 of Daddy's Wild Girl

“It will be fine.”

“What if that person follows us and tries to get to me again? He could follow us to the Ranch.”

“Then I will protect you. And Sanctuary Ranch has the best security you’ll find. Not only are there cameras and alarms, but a bunch of ex-military guys live there.”

“I don’t know,” she said. “You’ll be safer if you stay away from me.”

He shook his head.

“Don’t you understand that I’m trying to protect you?” she cried.

He stared at her for a long moment. “That’s why you tried to fire me? To keep me safe?”

“Yes. Only you won’t listen to reason, you Neanderthal! You got hurt because of me!”

“Baby, I would a thousand times rather I got hurt than you did. Protecting people is my job. I was trained to do this.”

“You told me that you mostly sit behind a desk!”

How often did he get hurt on the job?

“I do most of the time,” he said soothingly. “It’s true that I rarely go out on jobs, but that doesn’t mean I haven’t kept up my training. I can protect myself, and I can most definitely protect you. This is just a scratch.”

Just a scratch? Just a scratch!

“He had a knife!” she cried. “Oh God. This is definitely a terrible idea.”

“Look at me. Bebe, look at me,” he said firmly.

She stared up at him. There was no way she could risk him. It wasn’t happening. That wasn’t a scratch.

“You’re still fired.”

He smiled. And then he started laughing.

What was he doing?

“Don’t you believe me? You’re fired. You need to leave and I’m not coming with you.”

“Baby, you’re coming with me even if I have to carry you the whole way over my shoulder, kicking and screaming.”

She shook her head. “You can’t do that. I don’t want you to get hurt!”

Corbin’s expression hardened and he cupped her face between his hands.

“Be careful of your arm,” she ordered. “You shouldn’t be moving it this much.”

“Bebe,” he said firmly. “Stop fussing over me. I’m fine. You need to listen. You are coming home with me. I know you’re scared. There’s a lot for you to worry about. The guy who attacked you. Going to a strange place with a man you haven’t known that long. But you do not need to worry about me. I am fine. I told you that I can protect you and myself, and if you doubt me once more, I’m going to start getting insulted.”

Well, hell.

Men.

Their egos were so darn fragile.

“I know it feels like we haven’t known each other long enough for you to move in with me. But think of this as a holiday with a guy who thinks you’re incredible. Who thinks you’re beautiful and smart and precious. Things can move as slowly as you want them to, okay? I am not rushing you. What I do want is for you to be safe and close to me, where I can watch over you.”

“You . . . you really think I’ll be safe there? That we both will be?” she asked.

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