He placed his arms around her and the numbness started to fade. That wasn’t what she wanted, though. Was it? She didn’t want to feel. Because if she felt too much then it hurt.
It really fucking hurt.
And yes, she realized she was swearing in her head.
The feelings of pain broke through her numb shield, yet at the same time, she felt so safe.
“When my father died, my mother was so angry. I thought she was angry at the person who killed him. But then I realized she was angry at him. And it wasn’t because she missed him. It was the scandal. When I cried at his funeral, she hissed at me to cut it out.”
“Jesus, baby.” He kissed the top of her head and just held her.
“I should have expected her to do the same when I got myself a stalker.”
“You didn’t do this.” He grasped hold of her chin, raising her face up. “This isn’t your fault.”
“Tell that to my mother,” she muttered.
“I will,” he countered. “Just let me at her.”
Her mother was a formidable foe. But she just might have met her match in Ed. She wrapped her arms around his neck.
“It’s okay. It will be all right. I’m here now. I’m going to take care of you.”
He grabbed the bed cover, pulling it off and wrapping around her.
“What happened? Please tell me they got the person that murdered your father? The asshole who was stalking you?”
“Yeah. The man who killed my father was a hired gun for the mob, but they arrested him. Put him away for a long time.”
“And your stalker?”
“He escalated. My mother continued to refuse to call the police. My brothers did what they could. They hired a bodyguard. But the school wouldn’t let him on the grounds. And somehow, this guy kept putting notes in my locker. My brothers wanted to put up cameras at the school to catch him, but the principal wouldn’t let them.”
“Jesus. Fuck.”
“In the end, my mother pulled me from school. I was back to being a prisoner in my own home, waiting for something to happen. And I hated it. I was miserable. My brothers did their best, but they weren’t always around. I thought I was safe. I was stupid.”
“Shh, shh. You were so young. You weren’t making rational decisions.”
“I just wanted to see my one friend. She was having a party. I snuck out. He . . . we think that somehow he slipped a drug into my drink. I woke up tied to a bed in the dark. He was looming over me. I couldn’t see him. He wore a mask. He had a knife. He wanted me to tell him that I loved him. That I wanted to be with him. That I would be his. When I refused, he ran the knife along one breast.”
She leaned back and pointed to the thin, very faint mark along her breasts.
“It hurt. But I didn’t scream. I think that made him angry. He did the same to the other breast. I still didn’t scream, but I was sweating, panting, I was in so much pain. Then he stabbed me. After that, I don’t remember much. I don’t know how long I lay there on that bed. The next thing I remember is my brother, Gareth leaning over me, trying to wake me up. He was crying. I remember that so clearly. They never cried. My brothers, that is. But Gareth was crying. I think that he thought I was going to die.”
“How did they find you?”
“One of the girls at the party saw me being carried off. She knew Gareth and called him, then she followed with her boyfriend. They waited outside the place he had taken me to until Gareth and Marcus, one of my other brothers, arrived.”
“And they caught the bastard? Please tell me they did.”
“It was the principal,” she whispered. “Marcus beat him to a pulp. They had to call an ambulance. And the cops. My mother was mortified.”
“Screw that bitch,” he spat out.
Yes. Screw that bitch.
“I was scared Marcus would get arrested. But that girl and her boyfriend testified that the principal had carted me off. Then there was the fact he’d stabbed me. Plus, Marcus had a lot of friends in high places. And my mother probably threw her weight around.”
“The bastard is in jail?”
“He killed himself before it even got to trial. My mother did her best to suppress all the news stories. The principal, he had a family. A wife and son. They disappeared. I don’t think they knew about what he was doing, though. His infatuation with me. The notes came with photos of me sometimes. Images that he’d obviously taken with a high-definition lens. I never used to pull the curtains when I got changed.” She shuddered. “I did after those photos.”
“Shit. Fuck. I hate that he did that to you.”
“He called me his Daisy. He’d leave daisies for me. To think in the beginning I thought it was sweet. I thought having a secret admirer was wonderful. I wish I’d told my brothers what was happening straight away. Maybe then . . . “
“Hush. None of this was on you. What ifs will kill you slowly. You just need to know that you’re safe now.”
“It’s colored the rest of my life, though. My dad’s death was horrifying, and it took me a long time to start to find my way out of the gray. And then . . . then I was . . . “
“Terrorized. By someone who was charged with looking after you. Someone in a position of authority over you.”
“Yes,” she whispered. “It messed me up. I couldn’t go back to school. I couldn’t do anything. And my mother wouldn’t let me talk to anyone. I decided I never wanted to be weak again. I had to be strong. I had to take care of myself. With Gareth’s help, I enrolled in college, got a dorm room. And then I told my mother. She was not impressed. She tried to stop me. But I had some money from my father’s estate and I paid for it all myself. Then I went one step further.”
“And became an FBI agent.”
“I thought if I could use my experience to help just one other person, then it would have meaning, you know? But I was assigned mostly desk work. I figured I’d just have to show I could handle it. Now, I’ve learned my mother had something to do with it. I should have known. She knew my old boss. It wasn’t until he retired and I got a new boss that I started doing field work.”
She ran her hand through her hair. It was a mess. She couldn’t remember the last time she had messy hair.
“And I messed it all up.”
“You were shot. Listen to me, think over everything you’ve just told me and tell me how anyone else could have done half of what you have done. I can’t believe everything you’ve been through and here you are, still standing. Still fighting. You are the bravest person I know.”
He kissed her gently.
She didn’t believe it. But she liked that he did. He held her for a moment longer then pulled back.
“Come on, shower time.”
He drew off the blanket then helped her up. He led her into the bathroom. Turning the shower on, he then lifted her onto the counter so he could check her foot.
“It doesn’t hurt.”
“It looks good. Will take this off and put another bandage on.” He tested the temperature of the water before carrying her into the shower. Putting her down, he washed her thoroughly. It was kind of embarrassing, having him touch her everywhere. Clean her. But he wouldn’t let her do a thing.
“Relax,” he murmured. “You’re so tense, you’re going to hurt yourself.”
“Wouldn’t it be easier for me to wash myself?”
“This isn’t about what’s easy. This is me reassuring myself that you’re well. It’s me cherishing you.”
She sucked in a breath then flicked her hand through the air. “Carry on then.”
He let out a chuckle. “Turn and put your hands on the shower wall.” He stood behind her and washed her breasts, cupping them, rubbing his palms over her nipples.
“Ed?” she asked.
“Yeah, my girl?”
Darn, she loved when he called her that.
“Do you think differently of me now?” She held her breath as she waited for his answer. He moved his hands lower, one of them sliding
over her scar before he rubbed his hands over her butt cheeks.
“Yep.”
She stiffened.
“I think you’re even more special than I realized. More precious. I’m damn proud to know you. I’m even more honored that you trust me, that you’ve opened up to me, let me in.” He wrapped his arms around her. “And I won’t ever betray that.”
And she was sure that was officially the moment that Sheriff Ed Granger owned her heart.
27
“Wait here,” he commanded then he left the bedroom. He’d dried them both before wrapping her in a fresh towel and carrying her out here.
She should remind him that her foot was fine and she could walk.
When he returned, he held something that made her go bright red. “I knew you’d find that.”
He studied her onesie. “Well, I did do all your washing. This is cute. But you need more like it. And it seems you like the color black when it comes to panties.”
He laid the onesie and her black cotton panties on the bed.
She groaned. “They came in a pack of twenty. I don’t have a lot of patience for shopping. And it’s not like anyone sees them.”
Or they hadn’t before now.
Maybe she should make more of an effort. “I should probably get some more things, if I’m staying?” She still felt a bit unsure of this. What if he suddenly decided he didn’t want her? What if she didn’t live up to his expectations?
Suddenly, he grasped hold of her hand, running his finger over her palm. A shiver ran through her.
“Hmm, I still like smacking your bottom better.”
She forced herself to glare at him, even as he continued to lightly circle the palm of her hand. She swore she could feel that in her clit.
“You can’t just go around smacking my bottom whenever you like,” she told him primly.
“Can’t I?” He grinned at her.
“Ed! That sort of behavior is not acceptable in front of other people.”
He leaned in. “Maybe you’ve just been hanging out with the wrong sort of people.”
Sugar balls. Maybe he was right.
“I want your full attention on me. Eyes.” He pointed two fingers at his eyes. She scrunched up her nose but stared into his eyes. “I want you to stay. I want it more than anything. Granger men fall hard. And fast. My father saw my mother, and within a week they were engaged. Maybe it should be me worrying that you’ll leave. Not the other way around.”
Was he insane? Her leave him?
He cupped her face, his thumbs massaging her jaw where it had gone tight.
“The point is that I’m not going anywhere. And neither, my girl, are you.” He grimaced. “Did that sound stalkerish? It did, didn’t it?”
“Don’t,” she whispered.
He raised his eyebrows.
“Don’t censor yourself because of what he did. Because I know you’re nothing like him. I know that for a long time I was messed up around men because of him. But I know most men are good. I know that even though you say I’m not leaving, that’s not because you intend to lock me up in your basement.”
“That’s right.” He nodded. “Because I don’t have a basement.”
“Ed!” She expected him to smile, but he just gave her a serious look.
“I’m not some psycho killer or stalker, but don’t underestimate my need for you, Georgie-girl. You are mine.”
They stared at each other for a long moment. She was breathing heavily, as though she’d run a marathon. He was the first to blink. “Fuck, I’m supposed to be reducing your stress levels, not adding to them. Georgie—”
“No.”
He raised a brow. “No?”
“No, that doesn’t stress me out. Your possessiveness, it’s part of the reason I feel safe around you. I guess . . . I guess I need to know that you’re all in. So I can try to be all in.” She licked her lips.
“I get it. There’s nothing you need to hide from me.”
“Not even my Little,” she whispered. It wasn’t a question. More of a revelation. She really didn’t have to hide anymore.
“Never hide her.”
“I’m still a bit nervous.”
“Full disclosure?” he asked.
“Yeah.”
“Me too.”
She had to smile. She was certain that he wasn’t. But it was nice of him to try and put her at ease.
“While I’ve been to clubs and played, I’ve never had a relationship with a Little. And I’ve never been with anyone as important as you are. So yeah, I’m nervous.”
“You’re important to me too,” she whispered. “What if I decide to go back to work?” Her heart skipped a beat at the thought and not in a good way. She felt anxiety bubbling in her stomach and had to work hard not to let it show.
She obviously failed because he immediately sat and drew her into his arms. She buried her face in his chest and he ran his hand up and down her back.
“Easy, my girl. Deep slow breaths. Now, I’m not going to tell you what to do.”
She snorted.
He let out a short laugh. “Yeah, well, let’s amend that. I’m not going to tell you what to do when it comes to your career. You decide to go back, then I’ll support you. And we’ll make us work. But if it’s going to be detrimental to your health, well, we might need to make some tough decisions. Because I want you living a nice, long, healthy life. By my side.”
That’s what she wanted too.
“I don’t know what I’d do if I wasn’t an agent.”
“Right now, you’re still recovering from being in the hospital. We need to help you relax. Whatever happens later, we’ll work it out together. But we don’t give up on us, promise?” He held up his finger. She had to giggle. Here was this big, burly guy holding up his small pinky finger.
“Pinky promise.”
“You realize you can’t break a pinky promise,” he said to her sternly. “It comes with grave consequences if you do.”
“Like what?”
“No cupcakes for a month for a start.”
She gasped, placing her hand on her chest. “That’s terrible. Cruel and unusual punishment.”
Leaning in, he kissed her lips. “Then you best make sure you keep your promises.”
“I always try to.”
“Lie back, I’ll get you dressed.”
She figured there was little point in arguing. Lying on her back, she knew she was blushing like crazy as he parted the towel then he slipped her panties up her legs.
“You really do have the prettiest, most delicious pussy.” He patted her mound affectionately.
Her face went bright red. “Oh Lord. The things you say.”
He had no shame. She carried enough shame for the two of them. What would it be like to just say what she thought without second-guessing it all the time?
Isn’t that what you’ve been doing? Blurting out what you’ve been thinking?
Holy. Heck. It was a revelation. She didn’t overthink everything with him. Because she didn’t have to.
“Georgie-girl?”
“You make me feel safe,” she told him suddenly.
His face softened. “I’ll always protect you.”
“Not just physically. I know I still overthink things, but it’s nothing like what I usually do. And I don’t have to guard myself around you. I don’t overanalyze everything that I do or say. It’s freeing.”
“Fuck. That’s the fucking hottest thing you’ve ever said to me.” He leaned over her and kissed her. Hard. Hot.
“You’re a strange man, Ed Granger.” She grinned at him. “And I’m coming to realize that I like strange things.”
He threw back his head and laughed. “Damn, baby, you’re in the right town if you like strange things.”
“This might just be the best little town in the world.”
“Eh, we attempted to get that title. But then Aunt Marie did a naked dance against giving things labels and the judging panel disqualified u
s.”
“Your aunt did a naked dance?”
“She’s not my aunt. She’s the town’s aunt. We all call her that. You’ll meet her eventually. If she’s naked, just keep your gaze at eye level. It’s rude to stare.”
“I . . . I . . . don’t even know what to say.”
He just grunted.
“We need to get you some more clothes. Definitely some more of these cute onesies. And you need something comfy to wear around the house. No offense, but the rest of your clothes are awful.”
“No offense taken.” They were awful. They were boring and drab and nothing that she wanted to be anymore. “Is there somewhere we could go close by?”
“Yep, I know just the place. But maybe tomorrow. This will work for today and I want you to rest some more. We also need to talk about the rules and you could have some Little time, if you’d like that.”
“I think I would.” She was starting to feel a bit more relaxed and at ease. Still nervous, but she guessed that was to be expected.
He had the onesie up over her legs by now. Then he helped her stand and he drew it up over the rest of her body. “Do you want a bra?”
“Nothing really to hold up.” She glanced down at her naked breasts, surprised by how unconcerned she was at being naked in front of him.
“Hey, don’t insult my breasts.”
He drew her forward by her hips and kissed each nipple. She sucked in a breath at the rasp of his bristled cheek as he rubbed it against each tip.
“Fucking love how responsive you are,” he told her gruffly.
She ran her fingers through his short hair. “Only for you.”
“Fucking love that too.”
He took her breast into his mouth then released it slowly, using his tongue to lave at her nipple.
“Ed,” she groaned.
“That’s it, moan my name. Let me hear it. Don’t hold back.”
Her breath came in hard pants as he played with her nipples until her body was on fire, until she thought she might explode with need. Then he pulled the zipper down and rubbed her clit through her panties.
“Ed. Ed.”
“Beg me, my girl. Beg me to let you come,” he muttered, kissing his way up her neck then nipping her ear.
She couldn’t, could she? Oh heck. He paused and she rubbed frantically against his finger. But it wasn’t the same.
Sheriff Daddy (Montana Daddies Book 10) Page 23
