Total pages in book: 248
Estimated words: 236036 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1180(@200wpm)___ 944(@250wpm)___ 787(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 236036 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1180(@200wpm)___ 944(@250wpm)___ 787(@300wpm)
Sage turned into Grady’s chest, sobbing. He picked her up and carried her to his rocking chair by the fireplace. She rode out the waves of her anger in Grady’s arms. “Deep breaths, Wildfire. Settle down,” he told her. “Now you know why I hadn’t mentioned her before. Frankly, I’m hopeful that she’ll never come back. Now, at least we both have a better idea of what we are dealing with when it comes to Rose.”
Fisting her hair, he tilted her head so he could look into her eyes. “Rose is safe now. She’s with us, the two people who love her more than anyone else in the world. And speaking of that, you and I need to finish talking before we go get her.”
Picking her up, he carried her back to the bedroom. Sitting on the edge of the bed he rocked her gently. “I am so damn proud of you, babygirl. You stood up for our girl like she was your own. Again. That’s one of the things that makes you everything I ever wanted. Let Daddy show you exactly how proud he is of you.”
It didn’t take long for her shoulders to relax and the sniffling to stop. “Yes, Daddy.”
“Good girl, now listen to me.” Her eyes darkened, whether at his tone or his control over her, he didn’t know, and he didn’t care. “I love you, Indigo Sage Cartwright. I love your spirit. I love your sass. I love that big, fierce heart of yours and the way you love Rose. I love everything you’ve done around this house to make it feel like a home again.”
She stared up at him, mouth open in wonder. “I thought you were mad at me. You said I was in trouble.”
Holy shit. He had. He’d used those exact words, and how the hell else was she supposed to take them?
“I’m so sorry, babygirl. Not to make excuses, but I had just realized how much I love you. I was talking about how much trouble I would cause you once you’re mine. Let’s just count my words as exhibit one.”
She coughed a laugh and shook her head, as if she was afraid to believe him. “I… are you sure?”
Her lips trembled, waiting for him to assure her his love was real.
“Wildfire, I can’t imagine my life without you in it. All I want right now is to show you in the most physical ways possible exactly how much I want you here, forever.”
“Forever?” She gave him a tentative smile.
He caressed her cheeks with his thumbs. “You’re not going anywhere, little girl. Not unless you want to. And even then… I’m not sure I’ll be able to let you.”
“You… you really mean that?” Her voice came out as an adorable squeak.
Grady’s hand slid into her wild red curls, gripping just tight enough to tilt her head back. “I mean every word. You’re mine, Indigo Sage. My Little. My woman. My wildfire. My future. And I’m done pretending otherwise.”
With that, he tunneled his fingers through her hair, his hand sliding possessively around the back of her neck. He kissed her deep, hungry, and unrelenting.
Sage pressed into him, her mouth sliding against his as she sighed at his touch. Her lips were soft and inviting and tasted faintly of caramel. He drew away to make sure she was open to his obvious direction.
Her only warning was a low, sexy growl. She grabbed his shirt and pressed her mouth back to his. He wrapped one arm around her waist and cupped her head with the other. Careful not to hurt her, he let the force of his mouth overpower her. She submitted, opening her lips to invite him in. He seized the moment, sliding his tongue inside.
Her taste flooded his system, sinking into his blood and bones and soul so hard and fast he knew he’d never be free of her again. Sparks coursed through his body as she kissed him. Her nipples hardened and stoked his arousal higher. When she almost ran out of air, he allowed her to take a breath. She gasped, her eyes wide as she stared up at him.
A soft, needy moan escaped her lips and vibrated against his mouth. The sound arrowed straight through him, punching low in his gut and straight to his throbbing cock.
Grady struggled to regain control of his raging desire. That kiss almost pushed him to the brink. Lowering her to her feet, he slipped his hand beneath the hem of her shirt, palm gliding over warm, impossibly smooth skin that felt like heated silk beneath his calloused fingers.
This time, he kissed her slow, giving her the illusion of control. He relaxed, enjoying the feel of her nipples through her bra. A surge of heat shot through him again, tightening his jeans as his libido soared. He clung to his self-control, barely, even though all he wanted was to turn her around and bend her over the side of his bed.