Page 32 of Cutter

Her thoughts changed when the sounds of pots and pans streamed out of the kitchen. And Cutter…Is he singing?He had a lovely baritone voice. Who knew? The aroma of cooking garlic, followed by the unique scent of black pepper, teased her nostrils. Instantly, her mouth watered and her belly groaned.

“I thought you were doing burgers?” Emily yelled out to Cutter.

“Changed my mind,” he shouted back. “Get ready for Cutter’s version of cacio e pepe.”

“Can’t wait.”

Shifting to lean completely on her side, Emily took a deep breath. Her butt was going to be sore for a long time. She had to toss out the old habits she used with Dennis, the bratty stuff she did to get his attention.

Cutter was in a different league altogether. By all appearances, being her Daddy Dominant was a real commitment for him, not a weekend entertainment. How lucky could a Middle girl be?

Chapter Seven

Two hours had passed since Cutter finished cooking and served Emily his pasta masterpiece, and his girl had wolfed it down. As he took random bites, he’d watched her eating with some amusement and a touch of satisfaction. She’d enjoyed the food he’d made.

“Aren’t you hungry?” she’d asked. Bright pink covered her cheeks as she wiped her lips with the back of her hand.

“I have a bad habit of picking while I’m cooking. I’ll be ravenous in three hours.” He shrugged. “My pantry is full of snacks. I’ll munch later.”

“Eating late isn’t good for you. What’s your favorite snack?”

“Potato chips. I can polish off a bag a night.”

“But…potato chips have a ton of calories.” Emily’s eyes went straight to his abdomen. “Gah. Men. Look at that lean six-pack. Where the hell do you put them? I eat one chip, and it goes straight to my hips and butt.”

“And what a cute butt it is.” He pushed back his chair. His gesture was clear. The job he’d come to do was over. It was time to go home. Judging by Emily’s healthy appetite, she’d recovered from the roofies. The bigger issues, the meshing of Emily’s Middle with Cutter’s caretaking Dominant, required processing,a bit of separation, and acceptance on both sides. Throw in an undercover investigation with the associated dangers, and their fledgling relationship’s plate was overflowing with challenges.

She straightened, dropping her empty fork. “Where are you going?”

“Home.” He stood.

“No.” She stood after him. “Why?”

Grabbing her hand, he walked to the living room. “Aren’t you going to the station tomorrow?”

She nodded.

“Great.” He stopped at the front door. “Work will be good for your mind. You’ve been through a lot. The way you attacked the pasta tells me the drug is out of your system. Emotionally, you could use a little separation. I know I’m a handful and can take up a lot of space.” He chuckled.

“But, you don’t. Not to me,” she protested.

“What did I tell you before?”

“Um…”

“I’m not Nails, kitten.” He shook his head. “I’ve made up my mind. You’re my baby girl. Now you need to decide on our own. I won’t push you into anything. Are you listening?”

“Yes.”

He stared into her eyes. “It’s important that you listen to my words as I say them and not twist them around with your interpretation.”

“I’m listening.”

“I’m not a flowery guy, but I mean what I say.” He took a deep breath. “I’ve searched for you, Emily. For a long time. Now that you’re here, I want you in my life and in my bed. I’m pretty torn up because the Daddy in me can’t wait to claim his beautiful Middle. On the other hand, the Dominant in me is cursing myself for going home without you. Hate it or not, though, I haveto do this. It’s for your sake. You have to be one hundred percent sure you want me. I won’t take you any other way.”

“But how do I show you?”

He cupped her cheek. “When the moment is right, I’ll ask, and your actions, not words, will speak.”

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