“No worries, darling, Jeremy will drive it to your place later,” Marco said as he closed the door to the sheriff’s patrol truck.
She clasped her hands on her lap and remained quiet as Marco drove her back to the cottage. When they arrived at the cottage, some of her Aunt Marie’s workhands were walking around the cottage, holding shotguns. She swallowed hard.
“What’s that all about?”
“They’re just keeping the area secure. You’ll be protected at all times, Millie. Don’t you worry about a thing.”
“They’re going to guard like that for how long? This is crazy. They’re ranch hands and are supposed to be looking after the land and the horses. They have work to do.”
“They offered to help out and the work around here won’t be ignored. You’ll have round-the-clock protection with me and my brothers.”
“Oh, for crying out loud!” Millie opened the door to get out of the truck. She stomped up the steps and the cowboys waved to her. She waved back then pulled out her house key to unlock the door.
Once inside, she fisted her hands together and grunted angrily.
“Why? Why is this happening? How could he keep doing these things? I can’t believe that Stewart is dead. No matter how much of an asshole he was to me, no one deserves to die like that. I can’t live in fear, Marco. I can’t do this. I’m going to lose my mind!” she ranted on and on, feeling so frustrated and angry, and then Marco pulled her into his arms and hugged her.
“Oh God, I’m sorry I’m being such a bitch. I don’t know what I’m doing. He’s got me crazy.”
“Shh, honey, it’s a normal reaction to all of this. You’re handling it quite well, actually.”
She pulled back ever so slightly, looking up and up until her eyes locked with his gorgeous blue ones.
“Kiss me, Marco,” she whispered, and instantly he swooped down and covered her mouth with his own. He kissed her thoroughly and then released her lips, lifted her up against him, and hugged her to him. Millie wrapped her legs around his waist and held on tight.
“I love you, sweetness, and I’m going to take care of you.”
She sniffled then kissed his neck.
“It’s crazy, but I love you, too, and your brothers.” Then she chuckled.
He pulled back a little, holding her up against him. She was half crying and half laughing.
“What is it?”
“That statement just sounded so odd and funny, yet perfectly sane.”
“That’s because it’s real and we all love you very much.”
Millie leaned forward and kissed Marco again.
“I’d better start making some coffee and pulling out food for dinner. I have the feeling this little cottage is going to be crowded very shortly.”
“Don’t bother. Just go pack some clothes for the next few days and anything else you might need.”
“What? Why would I do that?” she asked.
“Because you’re going to the Lewis estate.”
Millie placed her hands on her hips. “No, I’m not. You all have jobs to do and babysitting me is not one of them.”
“This is not up for discussion. You either come willingly or I’ll handcuff you and take you as my prisoner. Either way, I don’t care.” She was shocked. He stalked toward her, holding out a pair of metal handcuffs he retrieved from his waist.
“You know, I think I might like handcuffing you then bending you over that table of yours while I fuck you.”
Millie felt her cheeks warm and, damn it, her pussy flex with anticipation. He strode closer to her, gently using the handcuffs to caress along her arm and then her breast, tickling her nipple.
“As a matter of fact, I think when we get over to my place, I’m going to handcuff you to the bed and keep you there, spread open wide for my pleasure.”