Page 56 of Cutter

“Yes.”

“Then Daddy…I’m feeling so spicy, my mouth is burning.”

Letting out a laugh, Cutter pulled her into his arms. “Oh, baby. I love you. You’re so cute.”

What?

Surprise and exhilaration soared within her, but only for a short second. The skeptical side of her mind dumped cold reality into the excitement.Fool. Don’t read into this. He’d gotten carried away and had used a common expression. But love?

Much as she tried to stop the destructive progression, her mind connected with the painful past and Dennis. He’d spent months with her, had declared his affection. The results had been atrocious. His feelings had been a lie.

Be careful.Length of time together doesn’t guarantee a thing, her mind offered. Devotion doesn’t require time. It’s there, or it isn’t. Cutter had stepped up to the plate again and again.

“Emily?”

“Uh-huh.”

“You’re trembling.”

“I am? You do this to me, Daddy.” She took a deep breath. The evasive answer had worked. He didn’t press her into confessing her storming thoughts. “Aren’t we going to discuss safewords?”

Pulling her back, he studied her with narrowed eyes. When she thought he’d ask, he let her off the hook.

“We are.” He nodded. “After I come back.”

“Huh? Are you going somewhere?”

“To the store to get a toothbrush and deodorant. Plus, I promised to make you dinner, and your pantry’s missing some ingredients.”

He spoke like his usual jovial self, a trait she admired and loved in him. His expression was calm, and yet, she couldn’t shake the feeling he was holding back. That he’d sensed the hesitation and her internal struggle and didn’t want to bring it up anymore.

Were her doubts tiring him? Her lack of conviction and seesawing emotions could fatigue the steadiest and most devoted soul. There was that word again: devotion.

What had happened to hers? Did she feel it? Was she there for him?

Shit, yes.Of course, she was. Emily was fully invested in Cutter’s happiness and satisfaction. She’d do anything for him. Might as well admit she was crazy about him.

However, this path she was on, this gnawing fear that he was too good to be true, could tear everything up, including Cutter.

Clarity’s descent wasn’t gentle on her. It struck down with the force of a hammer blow. Either she changed and embraced everything Cutter offered with both hands, free of hesitation and doubt, or eventually, he’d end up walking away. She’d have no one to blame but herself.

“There’s a discount store across the way from the supermarket,” she offered in a small voice. “I’m pretty sure you’ll find a T-shirt there.”

His dark eyes burning, Cutter touched her cheek with his fingertips. “Don’t worry. I’ll check it out, little Emmy. Be right back.”

As he walked out the door, she twisted her hands, sending a silent prayer.

Oh, please. Oh, please come back. Tell me I didn’t push you too far.

Chapter Eleven

Cutter sat behind the wheel of his truck; the grocery bags were piled in the backseat as he stared at Emily’s windows on the second floor. He imagined her pacing around, probably chewing the inside of her cheek as he’d seen her do while wondering what had happened to him. He’d been gone too long.

Most times, he was a focused shopper. He knew what he wanted to buy, headed straight for his items, and didn’t deviate or get distracted by sales and other techniques shop owners used to bait their customers.

Today, he’d meandered along the aisles, looking without registering a thing. His mind had been miles from here. Closer to the truth, he’d gone a couple of decades into the past. To Statesboro. Not his preferred place to visit or remember.

He’d been so distracted that by the time he left the supermarket and climbed into his truck, he bypassed the clothing store altogether. His head wasn’t in that space. The idea of sifting through hangers and shelves in a store crowded with Saturday shoppers gave him an instant headache. Tomorrow he’d try again or simply hang around Emily’s apartment with no shirt on. She might like that option the best.

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