Page 58 of Saddled in Secrets
“I’m a patient man.” My palms drift lazily along her back. “I’ll wait for you to choose me. No matter how long it takes.”
Bianca opens her mouth to reply, but a loud bark interrupts her.
I’m moving before I even realize it. My long stride carries me to the hallway hutch where I stashed a Glock. I didn’t get an alert about a perimeter breach from the high-tech security system I installed in this place. That doesn’t mean shit when dealing with my father’s minions, though. They can easily avoid the invisible shield.
Bianca gasps when I load a fresh magazine into the gun. The chamber is empty as I stalk toward the front door, but that can change quickly. A glance out the small window reveals no immediate threats.
“What are you doing?” She whisper-shouts from several feet behind me.
I thrust my arm out behind me. “Stay put.”
“You’re not going out there.”
“Don’t follow me.” And then I’m stepping onto the porch.
Muscle memory takes control. I’m on guard, prepared to shoot any intruders. The familiar role slips over me like a comfortable shirt. With the Glock pointed in front of me, I scan the area. No fresh tracks mark the dirt. There aren’t any glints from scopes. It’s quiet and still, but I can’t be too cautious. Not when Bianca’s safety is at risk.
I’m not sure why my father would go to such trouble to hunt me down, but I wouldn’t put it past him. A dying man is known to be careless is his final days. If they found us, there’s no telling how this might play out.
That’s when a bush rustles. I whip the barrel of the gun at the twitching leaves. My heart thunders as I click off the safety, bringing my finger to the trigger. A dog leaps from the shrub and runs straight at me.
It’s a scraggly thing—more bones than meat. I lower my weapon, but keep it ready. The pup takes that as a sign to join me on the stoop. A startled cry turns my blood to ice. But when I spin toward the sound, Bianca is staring at the mutt next to my feet.
I gulp when she hesitates to cross the threshold. My gut clenches as I wait for her to look at me. If there’s fear in her eyes—aimed at me—I’m not sure what I’ll do. But when those green depths crash into me, only concern is glimmering on the surface. For me? That can’t be right.
“Is it safe to come out?”
My gaze does another visual sweep of the property, finding no signs for concern. I nod in confirmation. “False alarm.”
She slinks forward, still unsure. “Did you think it was him?”
“Won’t take any chances.” Which reminds me. “I told you to stay put.”
Bianca swats my ass as if I’m a naughty submissive. “Since when do I listen?”
My body goes rigid. The spanking does something to me on an elemental level. A quake rolls through me, hardening my dick into solid steel before I can register a sting. It’s an odd sensation that immediately sprouts a hunger for more. What the actual fuck? But now isn’t the time to evaluate the simpering response. I rip myself from the fantasy about to take shape and glare at the woman responsible.
“It could be dangerous,” I growl.
“He looks harmless,” she coos at the scruffy dog. “Or are you a lady?”
The ball of brown fur and dirt thumps its tail on the wood. That invites Bianca to lower into a crouch, extending her hand for the mutt to sniff. With zero hesitation, the stray licks her fingers. She giggles and begins petting its matted fur in exchange. I’m tempted to taste her skin to get a similar reaction, but I wouldn’t get the giddy response this lucky pup is receiving.
“Are you lost?” Bianca smooths her palms along the dog’s skinny frame, confirming the gender with a peek under its belly. “Did the big man scare you with his gun, pretty boy?”
I scowl when she glares at me. “It’s for protection.”
Not to mention the countless others stored around the house and barn.
“We’ll talk about that later,” she croons in a voice meant to soothe babies. “First, we need to name you.”
A jolt electrocutes my body. “We?”
“Well, yeah. He’s ours until proven otherwise.”
Warmth stabs at me and spreads, expanding my chest until I’m about to burst. “You decide.”
“It should be a team effort.”
