Here I am again, stuck between a rock and a hard place. Daddy and Austin.
Daddy, who’s protected me—or tried to—his whole life.
And Austin, who I’ve known for less than a week, but who has shown me I’m still desirable, still able to feel. The ache between my thighs is a reminder of that.
My choice should be a no-brainer.
But it’s not.
Not even slightly. Because Austin said that once he took me, I was his. I was already naked when he told me that. He didn’t have to proclaim it because having sex was a sure thing.
Therefore, he meant it, even though I’m clearly fucked up and have a fucked-up family.
Even so, I love my father, but I also…
No. It’s not possible that I love Austin. It’s too soon. Sex isn’t love.
But Austin was so caring, so willing to do whatever I needed. He’s not standing down from my dad, willing to face his anger head on. He’s not interested in a one nighter because what man would face my dad otherwise?
And now? I’m not interested in only one night either.
I can’t—I won’t—give Austin up. Not because he knows how to do things with his tongue that are probably illegal in some states. Or that he makes me feel alive. Feminine. Pretty.
He makes me feel whole for the first time in…years.
Still, I will hear my father out about the Bridgers. I owe and respect him that much.
I turn to Austin. “I need to know why he’s so dead set against your family, me working here. All of it.”
“You working here is now the least of my concerns,” Dad says gruffly. “I wanted to keep you out of this mess, but I can see they got to you too. Let’s go. I’m taking you home.”
The little girl in me—the one who cried on that island for her daddy to come rescue her—wants desperately to obey.
But the woman—the empowered twenty-seven-year-old woman—knows I cannot.
I must stand my ground. If I don’t now, I never will.
I shake my head. “I love you, Daddy, and I do want to hear what you have to say, but I’m not coming with you.”
A vein throbs in his temple. I don’t remember seeing him this angry before, not even when I told him I was working at this ranch.
“What the hell did you to do her, Bridger?” Dad advances on Austin once more.
I slide my body between them, stopping his attack. I grip my dad’s upper arm. “No. He didn’t do anything, and I don’t want you talking to him like that.”
“It’s okay, Carly,” Austin murmurs in my ear.
“No, it’s not okay, it’s—”
“She’s safe here,” Miles says. “No one will ever hurt her with us near.”
“Damn straight,” Austin whispers.
Chance nods.
“Three against one?” Dad practically growls.
I want to roll my eyes but know that won’t help.