Total pages in book: 99
Estimated words: 101872 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 509(@200wpm)___ 407(@250wpm)___ 340(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 101872 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 509(@200wpm)___ 407(@250wpm)___ 340(@300wpm)
Honestly.
This man was too much.
“Wasn’t talking about protecting your stuff. Was talking about protecting you.”
He headed toward the counter.
“I do not need your protection!” She stomped after him. “And I am not namist. That’s not even a thing.”
“Then why do you care what I call my baby?”
“Your . . . your baby?”
He didn’t have a baby, did he?
But then where did the baby lying against his chest come from
“Renard!” A yell came from the front door and she stared in shock as Joel Saxon stormed into the store.
“Oh hell,” Trey muttered from behind the counter. He was only about sixteen. “I might need to get my dad.”
“Don’t worry,” Opal told him. “I’m sure everything is fine.”
“Stop yelling! You’ll wake up Chip!” Renard snarled in a quiet voice.
Saxon paused, looking confused. She had never seen the other man angry. He was always the epitome of control and calm. Kind of a necessity when you ran a BDSM club, she figured.
But right now he looked like he was about to separate Renard’s head from his shoulders.
She edged closer to Renard.
“Don’t worry,” Renard told her. “I won’t let him harm you.”
“Why would he harm me?” she countered, perplexed.
“Isn’t that why you were moving closer to me?” he asked. “For protection?”
“Yeah, I was looking to protect you from him,” she replied.
He gave her an incredulous look and she braced herself for his ridicule. He was huge. What the heck could she do to protect him?
“Aww, you care about me.” He smiled. “That’s cute.” Then he scowled. “But don’t even think about getting between us.”
Lord.
The man had some serious mood swings.
“Who the hell is Chip?” Saxon demanded.
The baby started to grizzle and Renard patted her back. It suddenly occurred to her whose baby this had to be.
She couldn’t believe it had taken her so long to put it together.
“Your baby, who else?” Renard countered loudly. “And can you stop yelling? You’re upsetting her.”
“I’m upsetting her?” Saxon retorted. “She’s probably upset because you stole her.”
“You stole his baby?” Opal gaped up at Renard. “Have you lost your senses?”
“Of course he hasn’t,” Saxon told her. “He’d have to have some in the first place to lose any. Give me my baby, you lunatic.”
“I think that lunatic is a strong word,” Renard grumbled. “As my employer I’m not sure you’re allowed to call me that.”
“As your employer, I don’t think you’re allowed to steal my baby,” Saxon told him.
“You gave her to me. I didn’t even want her. Why would I want to lug around a baby? Here, have her back.”
He was absolutely lying. She wasn’t sure how, but she knew that he was. She could sense his reluctance to hand over the tiny baby. Why lie?
Maybe because it showed a softer side than he wanted to reveal. Or more weakness than he was comfortable with.
As he handed the baby over, she started to fuss and cry.
“See what you did with all your yelling?” Renard snapped at Saxon. “I had her sleeping peacefully, then you come in screaming. That’s not a good way to act around a baby.”
Saxon just gaped at him. “How the hell have I not strangled you yet?”
Renard shrugged. “Apparently, I’m irresistible to you and everyone else in this town. The amount of hugs I get is truly disgusting. Don’t people around here understand about germs?”
The baby started really crying. Big tears slid down her red and puffy cheeks.
“She needs to be fed,” Saxon said. “Listen, I appreciate you having her, but next time, could you tell me before you leave with her?”
“Next time? Who said there will be a next time? I’m not your babysitter. Urgh, give me Chip.” Reaching out, he took the baby back, settling her against his chest.
And it was shocking how quickly she settled.
What the hell?
Saxon sighed. “Why does my baby like you more than me?”
“I’m sure that’s not true,” Opal told him quickly.
“It is true,” Renard said.
She kicked him in the back of the leg, trying to be subtle.
“Ow! What the fuck was that for?” he complained.
“Don’t swear in front of the baby,” Saxon told him.
“It was for saying that the baby liked you more than him,” Opal explained.
“But she does. I told you, I’ve got something that makes me irresistible.”
“You’ve got a big head, is what you’ve got,” she countered. “Saxon, your baby loves you.”
“Aww, look, Chip’s asleep again,” Renard said.
“Her name is not Chip,” Saxon said as Renard handed the baby over again.
“Then give her a name. I can’t keep calling her Baby or she’ll think that’s her name.”
“It’s a better name than Chip,” Opal told Saxon.
Saxon shook his head with a mutter. “I’ve got to get back to Aspen and the boys. Luckily, she still thinks that you’ve got her back at the restaurant. What are you even doing here?”
“Getting a security light,” Renard retorted, placing the light on the counter. “Ring that up, boy.”