Page 47 of Cutter

“Better than good. You’re here.”

“Aww, kitten, you know how to warm my heart.” Sniffing the air, he stepped back. “Do I smell coffee?”

She dropped her arms. “Yes. Made it less than twenty minutes ago.”

“Good. I’m in desperate need of caffeine, and then we can have breakfast. Knowing you, I’m sure that tummy hasn’t seen food yet.” He showed her a plastic supermarket bag dangling from his finger. “We have to talk about your nutrition and habits.”

“What’s in the bag?”

“Bagels, cream cheese, blueberries, and yogurt. Don’t change the subject.” He clasped the back of her neck. “Where’s that coffee we talked about?”

Hell yes. Emily loved it when he switched from sweet and tender to dominant and bossy. The changes instantly spiked her libido. Her clit was pulsing, and the crotch of her PJ’s felt a little cool. It had to be damp with her pussy’s liquid arousal.

“Okay, Daddy. Coffee right away.” As Emily turned toward the kitchen, he pinched her butt. She glanced over her shoulder, and he grinned back with a wicked expression.

“Keep going,” he said. “Or you get another.”

“No need. I got the message.” She fled into the kitchen. As she started filling his cup, thoughts of the party came to her. “How was the party? Was it productive?”

“More than you know.” Taking the full mug from her, he settled back against the countertop.

“What?” She exhaled. “Oh my God. You did it!”

“Yes, ma’am.”

Emily stiffened. “But were you careful?”

“I was.”

Quickly, she sat at the breakfast table, then patted the seat next to hers. “Sit right here. Tell me everything.”

“Should we not include Captain Weaver in this conversation?”

“You’re terrible.” She winced. “Captain Weaver? Did you forget? It’s me you’re supposed to inform, not him. And you know damned well I’ve been biting my fingernails waiting to learn anything. The least bit of information will help us catch these bastards. This investigation is my baby. I have to know what you’ve learned now.”

“No.” He walked to her. “You’re the baby here. My baby.” Twisting his fingers around her ponytail, he pulled her head back, asserting his dominance, and she nearly swooned with pleasure. His mouth possessed hers, and everything else lost significance. Cutter’s unique flavor, tinged with coffee, was delicious and erotic. When his tongue teased and probed her lips, she relaxed her mouth, offering herself to him. What else could she do to let him know she was his? How could she explain he owned her body and soul? He’d touched her in every possible way, and she could never return to her old life without her Daddy.

“Mmm,” she moaned.

There was no answer from him, only the exploration of his tongue, searching, caressing, tasting… Oh, she was going to lose her mind, and it was clear he intended to kiss her and nothing more.

Pulling back slowly, he whispered, “My baby girl.”

“Yes. All yours.” Her throat tightened with the admission. Tears singed her eyes. Somehow, she managed to suppress them as a rush of burning emotions threatened to overwhelm her. Conflicting emotions that knocked hard at her chest, but that she wasn’t ready to release.

Not yet!

As she took a deep breath, he straightened, eyes on her. “There’s time,” he murmured.

Emily didn’t have to ask what he’d meant. Cutter was good at reading her. He understood her struggle with deep old wounds and was giving her breathing room to come around.

Although she wasn’t ready to say it out loud, she loved him even more.

“I never thought?—”

“That letting go would be so complicated?”

She nodded.

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