Page 45 of Saving Shepperd

She raised a brow with doubt.

“Seriously. My father is a formidable man. He makes other grown men cry on a weekly basis. Your dad’s game is child’s play comparatively, darling.”

She chuckled at my word choice. “I don’t know whether that’s a good thing or bad thing.”

“Well, it depends on what side of the conversation you’re on at any given moment. He spares no one when he thinks he’s right. He’s put me in my place enough times so I know not to challenge him. And he doesn’t care who’s around to bear witness.”

“Why do parents always think they know what’s best for you?” she asked, but I wasn’t sure if she really wanted an answer or was just thinking out loud.

So I took a chance and offered my opinion. “For my parents, I can honestly say I think they act the way they do—do the things they do—believing it’s in our best interest. Whether to teach us a lesson or stop us from making what they perceive to be a mistake, I really think they come from a good place.”

I thought about those words for a few seconds and added, “That doesn’t mean it’s always what I want to hear. Or in my dad’s case, the delivery couldn’t use some polishing.”

“Yeah, that must be a dad thing,” she said wistfully. We were both lost in our thoughts, probably each about our own relationships with our parents.

I loved my family. They’d given me a very comfortable life and every opportunity to succeed as an adult. Sure, there will always be things we’d like to change about those closest to us, but in the end, I was grateful to have the parents I had.

“Ready to head home?” I asked. The biggest grin spread over my lips, and when I looked at Shepperd, she was smiling too.

She took my breath away. I didn’t get to enjoy her genuine smile as often as I would like, but my God, when the woman smiled and truly meant the feelings behind it, she lit up the entire room.

“You are so beautiful,” I murmured and closed the space between our bucket seats. I kissed her slowly at first, always careful not to spook her. I followed her cues, though, and the kiss became passionate and hot. Abruptly I pulled away and stared at her. Her eyes were shiny new nickels, and I struggled to get enough oxygen.

“Why did you stop?” she whimpered and gently touched her bottom lip right where I had sunk my teeth moments before.

“Because I don’t want to fuck you in my car, and if that went any further, that’s exactly what would’ve happened.” I started the engine and backed out of the parking spot before looking at Shep.

Our eyes met briefly as I put the car in gear.

“Danger,” she muttered and shook her head slowly.

“Darling, you don’t even know.”

“But I really want to find out, Law.”

That was all I needed to hear. When we got to my place…well, our place now…I was leading her directly to bed. I needed to be inside this woman more than anything.

I don’t know how we got home, I was in such a lust haze from that kiss and thoughts of fucking her. If someone had me draw a map of the route I took to get back home, I’d be lost. She had me that ramped up. I probably couldn’t have spelled my last name if someone had asked me to.

“You’ve gotten quiet,” she said into the thick air.

“Lost in thoughts.”

“Yeah? About what?” she asked innocently, and I wondered if I should censor myself here or be open about how long I’ve been wanting to claim her.

“Truth?”

“Always. We promised, remember?”

“Oh, I remember. I’m just not sure if this is in the category of TMI or not.”

“I’m pretty tough to shock,” she boasted. “Let’s hear it.”

“All I can think about is fucking you. I’ve been daydreaming and wet dreaming about it since the first day I laid eyes on you.”

“Oh, my. See why I call you Danger?”

“I don’t want to scare you. You wanted the truth.” I shrugged, making no apologies. “And if you’re not ready, I can wait. I may need another cold shower, but I’ll wait.”

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