Page 14 of Protecting Little Phoebe

Maybe not at the end.

“You don’t agree. I get it. I should be an adult and knuckle down. Do my job. Stop playing around.”

“Hey, don’t put words in my mouth.” They reached the gates and he spoke to the guard briefly, showing him Phoebe’s papers before he let them through. “That’s not what I said. It’s okay to have fun. Sometimes you have to be serious too, though.”

“I know. Anyway, after we broke up, I started reading Daddy Dom books and something inside me just clicked. I knew why I’d felt… different all my life. I’ve never really felt like I fit in until I found a group of Littles online who all follow my favorite author. They became my friends, my team, my family. And they’re the ones who told me about Rawhide. But I’ve only just managed to find the courage to visit.”

“You’re being very brave. It took me a while to work up the courage to visit too.”

“Really?” She glanced over at him skeptically. “You?”

“Yep. I was nervous. I wasn’t sure what to expect. Or what would happen. You have this. You’re going to have a great time.”

She took a deep breath and nodded, then turned to him. “Thank you for dropping me off.”

Barren raised his eyebrows. “None of that. I expect a proper goodbye. After I carry your bags inside. Now, wait there until I come around and open your door.”

“Barren?” She reached out and grabbed his hand and he stilled.

“Yes?”

“Thank you.”

“You’re welcome,” he replied huskily.

“I thought you’d be back, but I didn’t know it would be so soon.”

Barren turned toward Derek, shaking his head. “I’m not staying.”

“No?”

“I’m just dropping Phoebe off, then I’ll be leaving.”

Derek nodded, glancing over at where Phoebe was smiling as Erika spoke to her.

“Where did you find her?” Derek asked.

“Her vehicle had broken down. It’s been towed to Porter’s Corner. Someone will have to drive her in to get it once it’s fixed.”

“We can arrange that.”

Barren frowned, feeling unhappy about that but unsure why.

“We’ll take care of her,” Derek reassured him. “The way we do all our guests.”

“I know that,” he snapped before shaking his head. What was going on with him? He shouldn’t be snapping at Derek just because his brain was in turmoil, warring against his instincts. He should leave. But he wanted to stay. “I need to get going.”

“Sure. We’ll see you soon.”

Well. What did he mean by that? But before he could question the other man, Phoebe skipped up to him. Well, he assumed she was trying to skip, but her boots made it difficult, and she tumbled into him.

“Oomph!” she cried. “I’m so sorry! Did I hurt you?”

“As if you could hurt me, little girl.” Damn it. There he went again. He straightened her up, then took a step back. Was that a hint of sadness in her eyes? If there was, it was gone as quick as it appeared.

“Um, well,” she said awkwardly as she straightened her clothes. “Thanks for stopping to help me. And for dropping me off here. You’re like a Knight in Pressed Pants.”

He had no idea if that was a compliment or not. “You are welcome. But in the future, you will not drive anywhere without first making certain that your phone is fully charged.”

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