Page 11 of Protecting Little Phoebe

“That sounds odd.”

“Do you know anything about cars?” she asked.

“Not a lot, I’m afraid.”

“I get that. It’s all magic to me.”

“Magic?” he asked.

“Yep. I like to think there are fairies in the engine making it work. Magic.”

“I don’t think that’s quite how it works.”

Bummer.

She felt her lower lip slip out in a pout. It wasn’t like her to let her Little out this much around a stranger. But his aura was so pretty. All golden with sparkly bits. Plus, he was a Daddy. And a sexy one.

“Do you like to spank?” she asked as he brought his phone to his ear.

“I, uh… well… yes, hello.”

He turned away and her shoulders slumped. She smacked the palm of her hand against her forehead. What a dumbass! Who asked things like that? She did. That’s who. When was she ever going to learn to be cool?

CHAPTER 3

Did he like to spank?

Had she really asked him that? And what the hell had he done? Gotten all flustered and turned away from her? At forty-eight, he’d thought he was too old to get flustered and embarrassed. Turned out, he wasn’t.

Clearing his throat, he turned to find her sitting sideways in the driver’s side of her pickup with her legs out the door. She seemed to be muttering to herself while holding a stuffed horse in her arms.

He strode toward her, coming to an abrupt stop as she glanced up at him. There was such naked vulnerability in her face that it caught him by surprise. Barren cleared his throat as he crouched in front of her. “Phoebe, are you all right?”

Of course she’s not all right. Look at her. She looks like she’s close to tears.

“What’s your name?” she asked, surprising him.

Jesus. Where was his brain? “I’m so sorry. It’s Barren.”

“Barren?” She blinked, looking surprised. “That’s not what I expected you to say.”

“It isn’t?”

“Nope. That’s a really cool name.”

“Is it? Am I not cool enough to pull it off?” he asked, feeling amused.

“Oh no,” she said hastily. “I’m sure you’re very, uh, cool.”

He snorted. “No lying, little girl.” Fuck. What was he doing? “I’m sorry,” he said hastily.

“You don’t have to apologize,” she replied.

“Yes, I do. I shouldn’t have said that. Whether you’re a Little or not, it’s inappropriate.” He was really off his game at the moment.

“All right,” she whispered, looking more uncomfortable by the moment.

Fuck. What could he say to make this better? “Who is this?” He gestured at the horse in her hands.

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