Page 58 of Tempted By her Daddies

“I meant do not worry about them being upset. They would want me to take care of you while in my charge.”

She scowled, folding her arms over her chest. There. That was better. He didn’t like seeing her closed off from him.

“I’m not in your charge.”

“That’s where you’re going wrong with your thinking, Bunny. You’re in my house; you’re under my charge. Because I am charged with protecting you.”

“You’re delusional.”

“Still in charge,” he sang. “Now, what is wrong with you?”

“Apparently lots of things since I seem to like that whole ‘I’m in charge thing,’” she muttered. Then she slapped her hand over her mouth. “Ididnotsaythat.”

He had to grin.

Sometimes she was just too cute.

He leaned closer, his mouth brushing her ear. “But you did say it. I heard it. And guess what? I can get bossier.”

With a groan, she sat back, and he straightened.

“Really?” she asked. “Is that possible?”

“It is. What did you do?”

“Well, I might have fallen off something,” she said vaguely.

“You fell off something?” he asked. “What the hell did you fall off?” He glanced around looking for a ladder or step stool.

Nothing there.

Which meant that she must have gotten onto a piece of furniture.

“I . . . well . . . I don’t think that matters.”

“Tamsyn,” he growled. “What did you fall off?”

She sighed. “You don’t need to get out the growly-bear voice.”

“I do need to get out the growly-bear voice,” he said to her. “Because you’re not doing what you’re told.”

“Perhaps I don’t think I should have to do what I’m told,” she replied. “I might be protesting doing what I’m told. Perhaps I’m a revolutionist.”

“Perhaps you’re a brat who is going to end up with a hot bottom.”

“That is also a possibility,” she said in a high-pitched voice.

“Becoming a stronger possibility with every moment that passes that you don’t tell me what happened.”

“We really should get the bird.”

He glared.

She melted.

“Fine. I climbed up on that table over there.”

Alexei looked to where she was pointing. At a wooden table that was resting against a wall. It was probably a hundred years old, at least, and had very fine legs. Even though she was slight, it could well have broken under her weight.

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