Total pages in book: 76
Estimated words: 72028 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 360(@200wpm)___ 288(@250wpm)___ 240(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 72028 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 360(@200wpm)___ 288(@250wpm)___ 240(@300wpm)
Because he was a man who could handle some chaos.
Lucas winked her way. He was a gorgeous man in his mid-twenties, but he couldn’t hold a candle to her Nate. She’d seen him holding a baby, and he’d just frowned the whole time. Admittedly the baby was his cousin, and he’d needed a diaper change. She rather thought Nate would have simply done it.
“My dad kind of owns the building,” Lucas pointed out.
“He doesn’t,” Bri countered. “Your dad and Uncle Ian donated the money for the building, but Kai owns it. Have you thought about coming in for a session or two?”
Bri was kind of being a bitch, and Daisy supported her. Lucas could be a heartbreaker, and he was a little full of himself. The Ferguson Clinic was housed in the building next to Sanctum. They’d grown over the years from it being run by Kai Ferguson and specializing in PTSD issues to having family therapists and specialists in domestic violence and marriage counseling. What they didn’t have was a child psychologist.
“He knows the code because he caters the group sessions they have sometimes,” Bri continued. “Why are you acting like…like you? You do remember who we are, right?”
Lucas gave them both a big smile. “Yeah, you’re my little cousin and Daisy is… Well, we’re not related, Daisy and I.”
“Actually, neither are we. Like no blood between us.” Bri gasped when she looked over at the indoor playground. “AJ, you cannot hit him with a chair. This is not wrestling.”
She ran off to save Wyatt Murphy from Armie Hutchins, who apparently had been watching wrestling with his dad. Or maybe his grandpa had been in town. She looked back at the guys who’d invaded her space. “What do you need? Did you leave something behind? The kitchen’s in the back.”
Gabriel Lodge wore jeans and a button-down that he’d buttoned down to show off a good portion of his cut chest. He had longish jet-black hair he normally pulled back in a queue, but tonight he’d left it down. “We just wanted to come by and see if you needed some company.”
Hunter grinned. “Yeah, The Hideout feels boring without you, Dais.”
She wasn’t sure why. “I almost never play in the dungeon because I can’t find a play partner. Actually, the last time I was in the dungeon you told me I should leave.”
The last bit was said to Gabriel, who held up a hand.
“Hey, baby, I did not put it in those words. I asked if your brother knew where you were,” Gabe corrected. “You have to understand, your father is extremely scary. I’m not sure the man is well half the time. When he gathered the tops and told us he would murder anyone who tried to tempt you, I believed him.”
“Aidan was pretty clear, too,” Lucas admitted. “But he has rescinded his order.”
Daisy felt her jaw drop. “I’m sorry. You’re here because you think now that my brother has stopped pretending I’m a virgin in need of protection, you can… What? What do you think is going to happen tonight?”
Hunter squared his shoulders like he was going into battle. “Look, Daisy, we think you should pick. You’re a sub and we’re all tops, and the three of us are all open to exploring a D/s relationship with you.”
“You are?” She wasn’t going to laugh at them. Nope. They had tender male feelings, and she would have to check the part of her that really wanted to guffaw.
“You’re gorgeous,” Gabe said with a sigh. “I mean, stunning. I know you grew up with these two, but we didn’t meet until later, which means you can see me as a man and not a boy.”
“I assure you, I don’t see you as a little girl,” Lucas proclaimed.
“No, you see me as another notch on your overly crowded belt.” This was kind of fun. “I should know because I have a belt of my own. A player can see right through another player, Lucas. So I’ll have to say flattered but no. Hunter, you’re like a brother to me. Eww.”
Hunter’s face fell. “Well, that’s rude.”
“You know what’s rude? Treating a woman like she’s a child in need of guidance, especially when she’s been through way more shit than you,” Daisy pointed out. “I’d like to see you handle some of the things I’ve been through. And Gabe…”
His lips curled up like he thought he’d won. “Yeah?”
“If you had wanted me, you would have been man enough to stand up to my father and my brother. I suspect one day you’ll meet the woman who inspires that kind of courage in you, and I’ll wish you both well. Now, I have a Dom, and we’ll be playing at The Hideout as soon as my da gets the drug cartel off my ass. You’ll be able to watch me and wonder what could have been because my player stage is done, boys. I found a man, and I’m sticking with him.”