Total pages in book: 54
Estimated words: 50402 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 252(@200wpm)___ 202(@250wpm)___ 168(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 50402 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 252(@200wpm)___ 202(@250wpm)___ 168(@300wpm)
“Spread your legs, Ivy girl,” he directed, drawing the cloth over her inner thighs.
She held her breath, hoping he would stimulate her. The cloth simply whisked through her pink folds and washed her bottom. Disappointment crashed over her.
“Don’t wrinkle your nose at me, Little girl. Keeping secrets from your Daddy does not earn you any playtime,” he lectured as he washed her tummy.
“But I can’t tell you stuff about the bank. They would fire me,” she protested.
“I don’t need to know all your business, Little girl. I only need to know what endangers you.”
The cloth swirled over her breasts. Her nipples tightened so hard they ached. Ivy moaned when his thumb stroked over one tip, seemingly by accident. She concentrated, sending mental encouragement toward him to lavish her with caresses.
When he abandoned her sensitive peak and washed down one arm to her hand, Ivy pushed her lower lip out in a disgruntled pout. That didn’t work.
“Who’s in charge, Ivy?”
After a short pause to show Steele he didn’t control everything, she admitted, “Daddy.”
Steele ignored her small hesitation and continued to bathe her. Ivy allowed herself to be distracted as he washed each of her fingers, tugging them slightly and releasing the tension in her hands. This is heaven.
Finishing with her shoulders and neck, Steele massaged her muscles gently. He cupped her shoulder with one powerful hand and squeezed gently. “Ready to get out of the tub, Ivy girl, or would you like to sit in here for a while?”
“Can I stay here? Just for a little bit?” she whispered.
“Of course.”
Ivy listened to him move around the room as she relaxed. She loved how safe being with Steele felt. Holding her breath, she sent a wish into the universe, hoping to feel this way forever.
By the time they made it to dinner, most people had already eaten. The club members had dispersed through the room, playing pool, talking smack, and drinking beer. Everyone greeted and talked to them as they passed through the room.
Ivy was surprised these rough-looking guys had accepted her so readily. When they sat down at a table to enjoy the chili from the immense slow cooker, Ivy bumped her shoulder against her Daddy’s.
“You okay, Little girl?”
“Your guys are so nice.”
“You’re one of us now, Little girl.” He held a spoonful of chili to her lips.
As she chewed, a feeling of security settled around her. Even before all this mess, she’d missed having friends she could count on. Her job at the bank required that she interacted with the other employees with a bit of distance between them. She definitely didn’t have any people she would consider true friends.
Ivy looked over at Carlee as she hung out with some of the club members. Carlee didn’t know her at all, but she’d brought Ivy clothes to the hospital so she’d have something to go home in. Other than the bank president, no one she’d worked with for years had even visited.
“You’re thinking too hard, Ivy,” Steele warned and offered her another bite, which she accepted to give herself time to concoct a response that he’d understand.
Finally, Ivy swallowed and admitted, “Your friends have my back so much more than anyone else in my life.”
“I’m sorry, Little girl. It shouldn’t be that way, but things are different for you now. The Guardians protect everyone who needs us in Shadowridge. You, however, are special.”
“Because I’m yours?”
“Because you’re mine.”
CHAPTER
ELEVEN
During the next few days, the police returned her purse containing her dead phone. Seeing her keys and untouched wallet nestled inside made Ivy breathe a sigh of relief before shivering as she remembered having it knocked out of her hand as they shoved her against the wall. They hadn’t cared at all about anything other than capturing her.
“Let’s go get your car, Ivy.”
“I don’t know if I can drive,” she said hesitantly.
“I’ll be right there with you. Storm? Can you drop us off at the bank?” Steele asked.
“Take your truck?” Storm asked, straightening up from the chopper he was working on.
“That would be best.”
“I don’t want to bother you,” Ivy apologized.
“No problem. We all have each other’s backs here,” the heavily tattooed guy pointed out.
“That must be nice,” Ivy commented as the trio walked toward a battered truck in the parking lot.
It looked like it had gone through a million battles and barely survived, but when Storm turned the key, it purred like an expensive sports car. The look on her face must have been pure amazement as she glanced back and forth between them because both men chuckled as Steele wrapped an arm around her shoulders and hugged her close.
“Many things are much different under the hood than they appear on the surface,” Steele said with a wink.
Ivy cuddled against him, telling herself she was giving Storm room to maneuver as he drove. The two large bodies staked a large portion of the bench seat, making her feel protected. She felt invincible between them even as they drew closer to the bank.