“I’ve spent all morning resisting the urge to call you. To go to your house, throw you over my shoulder and carry you back here where you belong.”
“So why didn’t you? I mean, the whole caveman routine is a bit overkill, I’d have come willingly.”
He ran his thumb across her cheek. “Ah, but deep down I’m a caveman at heart.”
“Would have given the neighbors something to gossip about.”
“There’s my little rebel.”
She shook her head because she was pretty much the opposite of a rebel. She’d followed the rules all her life. And look where it got her. . .maybe she should have thrown them out the window a long time ago.
“Why didn’t you come get me?”
“Because I’m not good company today. I had a damn shitty night. Got barely any sleep. I didn’t want you around me today, not when I’m like this. And it seems I was right since I hurt you just now.”
“You didn’t mean to.” She wrapped her hand around his wrist. “You don’t have to be perfect for me all the time, Duke.”
He snorted out a laugh. “Well, I can guarantee that won’t be the case. I’m far from perfect.”
She wasn’t so sure about that. She was pretty sure he was perfect for her.
“I can deal with dark and intense Duke. He’s not so different from bossy and grouchy Duke,” she teased.
He shook his head. “Like I said, don’t know what I did to deserve you, but I know I don’t want to let you go.”
“So let me stay with you today.” She reached up and brushed his hair off his face. “We don’t have to do anything. I’ll sit and watch the game with you and drink beer.”
He raised an eyebrow. “Do you even know who’s playing?”
She grinned. “Baby, I don’t even know what sport it is.”
He leaned his head back and burst into laughter before crouching down to swing her over his shoulder. He slapped her ass as she squealed.
“Come on, little rebel. You can sit on my lap while I give you a sports lesson.”
“I hope there’s not a quiz at the end.”
“Oh, there is and every wrong answer gets you a smack on the ass.”
Well, for once it seemed like her lack of sports knowledge was going to come in handy.
14
“I’m really sorry, I don’t know how I mucked up the stock order again.” Sunny ran her fingers through her hair, tugging at the pony tail she had it pulled back in today.
Agitation filled her. How did she keep getting this wrong? It was ridiculous. And embarrassing. She needed to get this stuff right, otherwise she was just a liability.
He’s only keeping you around because of your relationship.
This last week, it felt like Duke had been putting some distance between them. He was still attentive. Still affectionate, particularly when her Little surfaced. But she’d been retreating too. Uncertain whether this was still something he really wanted.
Shouldn’t he have done more than just kiss you by now?
Unless he doesn’t find you attractive. Maybe you’ve gained weight. Maybe you embarrass him.
Shame and self-doubt ate away at her until she was practically shaking as she stood across from Duke. He was frowning as he stared down at the order.
Idiot. Idiot. Idiot.