Sheriff Daddy (Montana Daddies Book 10) by Laylah Roberts (good book club books txt) 📗

of my life, though. My dad’s death was horrifying, and it took me a long time to start to find my way out of the gray. And then . . . then I was . . . “

“Terrorized. By someone who was charged with looking after you. Someone in a position of authority over you.”

“Yes,” she whispered. “It messed me up. I couldn’t go back to school. I couldn’t do anything. And my mother wouldn’t let me talk to anyone. I decided I never wanted to be weak again. I had to be strong. I had to take care of myself. With Gareth’s help, I enrolled in college, got a dorm room. And then I told my mother. She was not impressed. She tried to stop me. But I had some money from my father’s estate and I paid for it all myself. Then I went one step further.”

“And became an FBI agent.”

“I thought if I could use my experience to help just one other person, then it would have meaning, you know? But I was assigned mostly desk work. I figured I’d just have to show I could handle it. Now, I’ve learned my mother had something to do with it. I should have known. She knew my old boss. It wasn’t until he retired and I got a new boss that I started doing field work.”

She ran her hand through her hair. It was a mess. She couldn’t remember the last time she had messy hair.

“And I messed it all up.”

“You were shot. Listen to me, think over everything you’ve just told me and tell me how anyone else could have done half of what you have done. I can’t believe everything you’ve been through and here you are, still standing. Still fighting. You are the bravest person I know.”

He kissed her gently.

She didn’t believe it. But she liked that he did. He held her for a moment longer then pulled back.

“Come on, shower time.”

He drew off the blanket then helped her up. He led her into the bathroom. Turning the shower on, he then lifted her onto the counter so he could check her foot.

“It doesn’t hurt.”

“It looks good. Will take this off and put another bandage on.” He tested the temperature of the water before carrying her into the shower. Putting her down, he washed her thoroughly. It was kind of embarrassing, having him touch her everywhere. Clean her. But he wouldn’t let her do a thing.

“Relax,” he murmured. “You’re so tense, you’re going to hurt yourself.”

“Wouldn’t it be easier for me to wash myself?”

“This isn’t about what’s easy. This is me reassuring myself that you’re well. It’s me cherishing you.”

She sucked in a breath then flicked her hand through the air. “Carry on then.”

He let out a chuckle. “Turn and put your hands on the shower wall.” He stood behind her and washed her breasts, cupping them, rubbing his palms over her nipples.

“Ed?” she asked.

“Yeah, my girl?”

Darn, she loved when he called her that.

“Do you think differently of me now?” She held her breath as she waited for his answer. He moved his hands lower, one of them sliding over her scar before he rubbed his hands over her butt cheeks.

“Yep.”

She stiffened.

“I think you’re even more special than I realized. More precious. I’m damn proud to know you. I’m even more honored that you trust me, that you’ve opened up to me, let me in.” He wrapped his arms around her. “And I won’t ever betray that.”

And she was sure that was officially the moment that Sheriff Ed Granger owned her heart.

27

“Wait here,” he commanded then he left the bedroom. He’d dried them both before wrapping her in a fresh towel and carrying her out here.

She should remind him that her foot was fine and she could walk.

When he returned, he held something that made her go bright red. “I knew you’d find that.”

He studied her onesie. “Well, I did do all your washing. This is cute. But you need more like it. And it seems you like the color black when it comes to panties.”

He laid the onesie and her black cotton panties on the bed.

She groaned. “They came in a pack of twenty. I don’t have a lot of patience for shopping. And it’s not like anyone sees them.”

Or they hadn’t before now.

Maybe she should make more of an effort. “I should probably get some more things, if I’m staying?” She still felt a bit unsure of this. What if he suddenly decided he didn’t want her? What if she didn’t live up to his expectations?

Suddenly, he grasped hold of her hand, running his finger over her palm. A shiver ran through her.

“Hmm, I still like smacking your bottom better.”

She forced herself to glare at him, even as he continued to lightly circle the palm of her hand. She swore she could feel that in her clit.

“You can’t just go around smacking my bottom whenever you like,” she told him primly.

“Can’t I?” He grinned at her.

“Ed! That sort of behavior is not acceptable in front of other people.”

He leaned in. “Maybe you’ve just been hanging out with the wrong sort of people.”

Sugar balls. Maybe he was right.

“I want your full attention on me. Eyes.” He pointed two fingers at his eyes. She scrunched up her nose but stared into his eyes. “I want you to stay. I want it more than anything. Granger men fall hard. And fast. My father saw my mother, and within a week they were engaged. Maybe it should be me worrying that you’ll leave. Not the other way around.”

Was he insane? Her leave him?

He cupped her face, his thumbs massaging her jaw where it had gone tight.

“The point is that I’m not going anywhere. And neither, my girl, are you.” He grimaced. “Did that sound stalkerish? It did, didn’t it?”

“Don’t,” she whispered.

He raised his eyebrows.

“Don’t censor yourself because of what he did. Because I know you’re nothing like him. I know that for a long time I