Page 74 of Daddy's Little Farmer

“Stay there. I’ll be right back.”

She nodded and waited.

He came back with her silky robe.

She held her breath as he took Alex’s clothes off of her and put her robe on.

“I don’t like seeing you in another man’s clothing,” he said.

He stood after making sure she was comfortable and then started pacing.

She watched him go back and forth for several minutes. “Rafael, you’re making me dizzy.”

He stopped right away and came and knelt in front of her. He took her hands and held them in her lap.

“I don’t know where to start,” he said.

“Tell me about the woman?” Her stomach ached just thinking about her.

“She’s an old acquaintance. I’ve known her most of my life. She’s a bitchy snob, but she’d always been good about going with me to these things because a lot of businesspeople don’t like to deal with an old bachelor. But absolutely nothing is between us. I’d never do that to you.”

“But you did in a way. Or it felt like it.”

“I know. I’m so sorry, baby.”

“Why are you embarrassed by me?” It was another question she dreaded asking.

He got closer to her and squeezed her hands. “Never in a million years would I be embarrassed to have you with me. I knew you were having difficulty adapting to the house and our people. I didn’t want to throw even more at you. I also needed to be able to concentrate on the man I went to see last night, but if you had been there, my full attention would have been on you.”

“So, if I stay, I’ll never be able to come with you?”

“Fuck, yes, you will. You’ll be with me everywhere. My fear caused every stupid thing I’ve done to screw this up. I lose it just thinking about you leaving me.”

“I don’t want to. I never did.”

“I must warn you now that I’ll follow you back to the farm if you leave.”

She was surprised by that because she knew he meant it, but as much as she liked the idea, she couldn’t take him away from his world.

“I won’t go.”

He exhaled and then pulled her into his arms.

“I know we have more to discuss, but I need you so much, I hurt.”

She cupped his face. “I don’t like that you’re hurting. I’m your little girl, Daddy. I need you as much as you need me.”

He swept her into his arms, and she knew they would be okay.

Chapter Thirty-Four

Rafael couldn’t believe she was there in his arms and that she had forgiven him. He knew there was more to talk over, but he knew he’d never make this kind of mistake again.

He stripped them both and got them into the shower. He wanted to take a bath with her, but they were both too tired. His hands worshiped her body, and they were breathing hard by the time he was done with her.

“I want to wash you, Daddy?”

God, he wanted that more than anything but was already too close. “Next time, baby.”

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