Total pages in book: 121
Estimated words: 122550 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 613(@200wpm)___ 490(@250wpm)___ 409(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 122550 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 613(@200wpm)___ 490(@250wpm)___ 409(@300wpm)
Yeah, she was ignoring that for the moment. Having a bodyguard while she worked? Ridiculous.
“Regent Malone. What. Did. You. Do?”
His gaze narrowed, and he manoeuvred her so that she straddled his lap. Grabbing her chin, he tilted her face back. “I did what was necessary to protect you. No one hurts you. Not physically or emotionally. And before you protest, I will not stop, nor will I apologize.”
Holy. Moly.
Yeah. Jilly thought she’d known what she was dealing with . . . turns out he was on a whole other level.
“Margaret’s boss just received some disturbing information about her. Turns out she had some very nasty things on her work computer. And she’s been forced into retirement.”
Wow. Margaret was no longer at the library? It should have made her feel good. But for some reason, she didn’t really feel much.
She couldn’t even bring herself to care about what he’d done.
“Okay.”
“Okay?” He gave her a shocked look.
“Yeah. Okay.”
“I expected an argument.”
“I’m not sure why,” she said sweetly. “I’m always agreeable.”
Also, she just didn’t care about Margaret. Or her job, as it turned out.
“Somehow, I doubt that. Tell me, does this not telling you what to wear extend to panties and nightwear?”
“Um.” Did it? No, she didn’t think it did. “No.”
“Good. Because I’ll be placing in an order tomorrow for some special lingerie. Also, if you’re wearing a skirt, I don’t want you to wear panties. Ease of access when I bend you over my desk.”
“That’s gonna happen?”
“Baby, that will definitely happen.”
Good to know.
She could feel her breathing growing faster.
“Come on, we need to get into the swimming pool. You’re getting flushed again.” He sent her a knowing look as he set her on her feet.
Asshole.
That brought her back to her original freak-out.
“You’re going to see a lot of me.”
He raised his eyebrows. “Yes. And I cannot wait.”
She blushed. “I don’t think I’ve been in a bathing suit since I was twelve. My mother used to have to sneak me out to the swimming pool for lessons when my father wasn’t around. But one day, he caught us leaving and tipped out my bag which had a one-piece in it. He was so mad that we never went back.”
“Fuck, baby. I wish that bastard was still alive so I could murder him slowly and painfully for the way he treated you.”
“Yeah, well, I might even help.”
Regent shook his head. “You might think you could do that. But you’re far too sweet to hurt anyone. Leave that up to me.”
“I wouldn’t hesitate to hurt anyone who harmed you,” she told him fiercely.
“My warrior baby.” Leaning forward, he kissed her lightly.
She opened her mouth, wanting to deepen the kiss, and he obliged. Teasing and tormenting her until she really was flushed and breathless.
He drew back, staring intently at her.
“Damn, you are a really good kisser,” she said, her fingers moving up to her lips, which were tingling. “Like, if there were a competition for kissing, you would win it. Not that you’re allowed to enter a kissing competition.”
“Oh, I’m not?”
“No. If I’m not allowed to strip in front of other people, you’re not allowed to kiss other people.”
Regent narrowed his gaze. “Let’s not talk about you stripping in front of other people. I’m still debating whether I want to spank you just for mentioning it.”
Right. Yikes.
She mimed zipping her lips.
“We don’t have to go swimming right now if you’re not ready.”
Jilly took a deep breath. “No, I’m ready. I want to do this. I want to take back this part of myself.”
“You’re being very brave, baby. I’m so proud of you.”
39
Regent was debating whether to go into the changing room again and call this off when she appeared, blushing, a towel wrapped around her.
He stepped toward her. She had nothing to be embarrassed or worried about. He was sure of that.
Fuck Crane for making her think she had anything to be ashamed of.
Regent wanted to go to her, strip off the towel, and worship every inch of her body with his tongue. Instead, he held out his hand, thinking that it might be better if she came to him.
Thankfully, she didn’t keep him waiting. She walked over to him, taking his hand and letting him draw her against him. Regent wrapped his arms around her.
“Such a brave girl,” he whispered, repeating his words from earlier. When she’d walked in, she’d looked stressed and uncomfortable. But the moment he praised her, he felt her body relax and a smile lit up her face.
He knew she liked being praised. He’d heap all the praise she could take on her if it made her look that happy.
“Ready to go swimming?” he asked.
She stared up at him. “Yes.”
Regent brushed back her hair. Then he kissed her forehead before stepping back so he could undo her towel and draw it away from her.