Page 9 of Savage

She glances toward me and squeezes her eyes shut. “That’s my father. Shit! That’s my father. What the hell is my father doing here?”

“Take it you weren’t expecting him?”

“Not for another week,” she says through her teeth as she smiles. “Just go along with me, okay?”

I nod, though I’m not good at doing the whole‘meet the father’thing. People find me abrasive. Besides that, my cock is still partially hard, and it’s not easy to hide in these jeans. I’m also sure the man knows what come smells like, and I’m currently covered in it.

He steps into the atrium and holds out his hand. I should shake it, but I cross my arms and settle for a nod instead. “Sorry, I’ve been sick all week. You must be Scarlett’s father.”

“And judging by the time of night and the look on your face, I’m guessing you must be the boyfriend.”

I glance toward Scarlett and widen my gaze. She’s trying to send me a message, and though I don’t fully understand the complexities of her stare, I gather enough that I should shut my mouth and go with the flow.

“Yeah. The one and only.” I wrap my arms around the girl next to me and hold my breath as I think about that spanking she’s for sure getting later. This night just keeps getting weirder and weirder.

Chapter Five

Scarlett

“Dad! What… what are you doing here? I thought you weren’t coming until next week?” My heart slams against my chest as though there’s a twelve pound hammer trying to break through a brick wall. I never told him I had a boyfriend, but it’s kind of convenient he assumed Clyde was the one filling that role. Maybe this will make the week easier, or more difficult. I guess I’ll find out.

He grins wide. “That’s the trick. It’s good business. I tell you I’m coming one day and show up another. Keeps you on your toes. Besides, the investor has to fly out for a family thing at the end of the week, so he’ll be stopping by to get a look at the ranch before then.” He glances up at the fireplace. “Looks like those beams could use some work.”

It’s close to eleven at night, and while I was all for staying up late to touch a man I never thought I’d ever have interest in, I don’t have the energy for my father’s talk about investors.

“Well, your flight must have been exhausting. It’s very late. I can give you a tour in the morning.” I want to ask him what he’d have done if I weren’t here, but he probably would’ve checked into one of the cabins with the front desk and found me in the morning.

Clyde glances toward me, and then my father. “Is there a problem with the beams?”

“Well, no, but they’re not cost effective. They’re prone to rot and infestations which lead to structural issues. I assume they’re real.” My father wanders toward the beam in question, landing his big hand against the log as though he knows something about wood and building things.

Clyde points toward the air vent nearby. “We have a humidification system in the building to keep all our logs properly ventilated. I’ve been building cabins for the better part of thirty years. The beams hold up just fine.” There’s a bite in Clyde’s tone that my father seems to respect.

“Finally, a man who knows his stuff. It’s good my daughter has you. If it were up to her, the place would be built with dreams and butterfly dust.”

My stomach churns. Well, he made it three minutes without insulting me. I guess that’s a win.

Clyde glares toward him and tucks his hand around my waist. “Your daughter’s built a beautiful ranch. Her ideas are making a lot of people really happy.”

I’m not sure if he means it or not, but I appreciate him saying it either way.

My father shakes his head. “She needs an older man to keep her head on straight. Like I said, she’s lucky to have you.”

Oh God, what the actual hell?I’ve slaved for months on this place. I’ve worked my ass off. I came up with the idea that got it started to begin with. I’m pulling in business, including one of the biggest country stars on the planet, but this‘older’man standing beside me is the reason I’m so successful?

Why am I still living in the eighteen hundreds?

“No,” Clyde’s voice turns more stern, “the design was all Scarlett’s idea. She did the research, she knew what materials to use, and she had the concept down for Mail Order Mountain Men. I just showed up and did what she told me.”

Dad bumps into his side and winks. “Smart man.”

Ugh, I’m gonna be sick.

Clyde glances toward me, his dark blue eyes wide with what looks like frustration. “Well, we should get to bed. It’s been a long day. Can we show you to your cabin or—”

“No. I’m staying up here at the main lodge tonight. Only here for the day, so no need to give up an entire cabin for me.”

That’s one thing to be grateful for. He’s only here for twenty-four hours. One single day. I can handle that, right?

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