Page 164 of Daddy's Wild Girl

She paused and he quickly turned to her, worried about what he might see on her face. Or if he’d see nothing at all, meaning she was suppressing her emotions.

Her eyes were wide and she looked like she was on the verge of panicking. Corbin knew he had to calm her down quickly so he did the only thing he could think of and drew her against him, holding her tight.

“Breathe, baby. Just breathe. Everything is fine. I have you. There’s no reason to be upset.”

“But . . . but that’s just it.”

“What’s just it?” he asked.

“I didn’t feel panicked or upset or anything. I felt this surge of happiness. She so wants out.”

“Then let her out, baby. Take the leap. I promise, I’m here to catch you.”

She nodded. “I know you are. I know. It’s just such a relief, though I’m still scared I’ll become so dependent on you that I won’t be able to function on my own anymore.”

“We won’t let that happen and hey . . . that’s the good thing about living in this place.” He stepped a bit farther away from her so he could see her face. “People here wouldn’t let that happen, either. I know Clint is preoccupied at the moment, but that big bastard is the nosiest, most interfering man I’ve evermet in my life. He would never allow any woman to be abused in any way on his Ranch.”

“I don’t mean to imply that you would . . . I know you wouldn’t. I trust you. I do. It’s just . . . it’s me.”

“I know. But I’m here to protect you. Everyone else here at the Ranch will protect you. And there’s Hayes, too.”

“You’re right. You are. I just have to trust in you and myself. Because it hurts to keep holding back.”

He brushed her hair off her face, tucking it behind her ears. “I don’t want you hurting, darling girl. And I have something that might help.”

Instead of letting her walk, he picked her up and cradled her against his chest.

“What are you doing?”

“I’m carrying my baby. She looks tired.”

“I do?” she asked.

“Hmm, she might need a nap this afternoon.” And he might have a special way of waking her up.

When they reached the cabin, he carried her in and set her down on the couch. “Do you need to go potty, baby?”

Red filled her cheeks and she shook her head, looking away. He crouched and cupped the side of her face, turning her face back.

“Hey, precious girl. You don’t need to be embarrassed. I know you like to regress quite young, don’t you?”

She nodded.

“How young?”

“Um, I don’t know exactly. But I like the idea of bottles and pacifiers.”

“Diapers?” he asked.

“Maybe to wear when I’m napping. Not all the time.”

“Hmm, so maybe toddler age. Which means you would need Daddy’s help to go potty. Wouldn’t you?”

“I guess so.”

“And Daddy wants to help you with that, so there is no need to be embarrassed. Now, maybe I should show you what I got you. Wait here, hands over your eyes. No peeking.”

“Okay, Daddy.”

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