Total pages in book: 158
Estimated words: 160684 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 803(@200wpm)___ 643(@250wpm)___ 536(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 160684 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 803(@200wpm)___ 643(@250wpm)___ 536(@300wpm)
“Doctor? No, Spitfire. Only cure for this twitch is to spank a naughty bottom.”
“That sort of twitchy,” she whispered.
“That sort of twitchy,” he confirmed.
“Which he will not do as you are going to work for us,” Grady said firmly.
“She doesn’t work for us yet,” Steele said.
“And she won’t if you spank her,” Grady countered.
“Wait, you seriously want to spank me? You . . . you can’t do that without consent, right?”
Steele turned again so his back was against the door and he could stare down at her. “I might be reading you wrong, but I don’t think you’re opposed to that idea.”
Effie swallowed heavily, trying to search for calm. Inwardly, she was kind of freaking out.
But it was the good kind of freak out.
It doesn’t mean anything.
Well, it meant something. It suggested that Steele was a man who liked to spank. It shouldn’t come as much of a shock, they were both super-dominant men. But in different ways. With Steele, it was more in your face. With Grady, it was a cooler, calmer need for control.
But no less potent.
Or worrying. Because keeping up with these two guys meant she’d always have to stay focused and be on alert.
Not her strong points.
“Yes, there has to be consent,” Grady said.
“I mean, you could give your consent for there to be no consent,” Steele said.
Huh?
“Steele,” Grady warned.
“Yeah, yeah. I get it. She doesn’t get it.” Steele moved back so his shoulder was basically covering half her chest.
Effie tried to hunch down, which was pretty hard considering how squished she was.
“Still think the booster seat is a good idea, though,” Steele muttered.
He wasn’t truly serious, right? She glanced up at Grady, who was giving the other man a look filled with exasperation . . . and affection? Yes, a lot of affection.
That look almost made it seem as though he felt more for the other man than just friendship.
None of your business, Effie. You have enough of your own problems going on without borrowing more.
10
The car came to a stop, and looking out the window, she saw they had stopped in front of a shoe shop.
“Here you are,” Raul said. “My friend owns it. Her name is Alice. She’s going to stay open so you can shop in private.”
“We won’t be long,” Steele told Raul before he undid his belt and slid out.
She grabbed her handbag and then reached for her own belt, but before she could slide out, Grady spoke.
“Effie, wait for a moment.”
She paused and looked back at him.
“Steele has a big personality, but he won’t ever harm you. Normally, he leaves employee stuff up to me. But you’ve caught his attention.”
“Is that a good thing or a bad thing?” she joked, nerves filling her.
“That, sweetheart, remains to be seen.”
Well, that wasn’t fear-inducing or anything.
After slipping a mint into her mouth, she slid further along the seat, toward the door. She was not looking forward to walking on the cold ground barefoot.
She should have known better.
But she was still shocked when Steele swooped in and lifted her up into his arms.
“What are you doing?”
He looked at her, then over at Grady. “Is it not obvious?”
This question wasn’t aimed at her but at Grady.
“I think it is,” Grady replied.
“Thought so too. I’m carrying you, Spitfire.”
“Yes, but why?”
“If you wanted to know why, then why didn’t you ask why in the first place?”
“Has anyone ever told you that you’re annoying?” she grumbled before she thought better of it.
“Nope,” he replied as Grady opened the door to the shop for them.
“Surprising,” she muttered.
“The only person who’d dare call me annoying is Grady. And he doesn’t find me annoying.”
“Not necessarily true,” Grady muttered.
She shot him a grin before it fully registered what Steele had said.
No one would dare?
Except for Grady and her . . . the woman who hadn’t even secured a job with this guy yet.
She really needed to watch her mouth.
People won’t like you if you’re you, Effie. Be more agreeable. More pleasant.
Thanks, Nan.
“Why have you gone all stiff? Don’t you like this shop?” Steele asked.
Effie took a moment to look around. There was nothing wrong with this shop, except that the shoes looked far more expensive than she was used to.
Then she realized she was still in his arms.
“I’m good. You can put me down now.” She blushed as she saw an older woman eyeing them curiously as she spoke quietly to Grady.
“Not until you tell me what’s wrong.”
“Nothing is wrong.”
He just stood there, not moving. Not setting her down. And not saying anything.
Grr.
“Anyone tell you that you’re stubborn?”
“Hmm, I have heard that once or twice.”
“Grady?” she asked.
“Yeah, and my sister.” A strange shutter came over his face as he said that.
To her surprise, he set her down on her feet, holding her steady as she wobbled slightly.
She opened her mouth to say something . . . she wasn’t sure exactly what, but then Grady spoke up.