“Not okay.”
He was intent on torturing her.
“Meanie-bo-beanie.”
Crap. Did she really just say that? The verbal diarrhea was bad enough but now she was resorting to an insult a three-year-old would use.
“Look at me.”
“Nuh-uh.”
“Millie,” he said in a low warning voice.
“I don’t wanna.” If she looked at him, then this definitely wasn’t a dream. She’d definitely made a complete fool of herself.
And she wasn’t sure she could handle that.
So she buried her face in his chest. He smelled nice. If she just hadn’t thoroughly humiliated herself and still really needed to pee, like, she was starting to worry about having an accident, she might have enjoyed being held on his lap, surrounded by his thick arms.
But she really should move. She was likely squishing him by now.
She started to wriggle, hissing at the pain in her bladder.
“What’s the matter?” He tightened his hold on her.
“Nothing. Let me up.”
“Little girl, if you don’t stop lying to me, you’re gonna find out what that drop seat can be handy for.”
She froze. He did not just say that. No way. That did not happen.
Did it?
“Listen. You are not running. You are not hiding. You’re gonna look at me. Right. Now.”
Darn it.
She raised her eyes, unable to keep her gaze from his any longer. His gaze was serious but not unkind as he took her in.
“Good girl.”
She shivered. Those words. The only thing that would make them sound better? Hearing the word ‘my’ in front of them.
Oh, Millie. You’re not falling for him, are you? He’s rude and gruff and grouchy. And he threatened to spank you. All cons.
He was also protective and could be caring and kind. All pros.
He knows you got off in his bath tub. Huge con. Massive.
Shoot. She should really offer to scrub his bathtub. Not that she had any diseases or anything. But it just seemed like the thing to do.
“I’ll clean it.”
“What?”
She knew her cheeks were bright red. “The bathtub. I’m so sorry. I’ll clean it. Or buy you a new one.” Yeah, I’ll buy you a new one.”
“Baby, not worried about the damn bathtub.” His hand cupped the side of her face.