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Wrapping an arm around her shoulders, I pulled her close until both of her arms went around my waist.

“Nothing can happen to you, baby girl. I know you’ve taken care of yourself, and you’ve done a hell of a job on your own. I just don’t like it. Hell, thinking about you living in Seattle alone makes me see red, and I didn’t even know you then.” Her dark hair ruffled with my slow exhale to calm my racing pulse. “And I do trust you—it’s every other fucker out there that I don’t.”

“Not trying to ruin the sweet yet controlling-as-fuck moment, but we gotta go.” Aiden slapped a hand on my shoulder and squeezed. “I don’t like it either, but there’s nothing we can do about it. We have a job to do, and you said no to locking her in the basement.”

Aspen’s head whipped around to Aiden, and her eyes narrowed into thin slits. “You don’t have a basement.”

He shot her a wink as he walked off. “Don’t give him any ideas. He’ll probably start the plans for one today while we’re gone. Enjoy your day, sweetheart, and please stay out of trouble.”

After pressing a hard kiss to the top of Aspen’s head, I reluctantly retreated a step, hating to put distance between us.

“Be good,” I ordered with a stern look, which had her rolling those dark eyes to the top of the porch.

“Or what, Mr. Bossy Pants?”

At her sassy tone and mischievous smirk, I closed the distance between us once again and bent low until my lips brushed the shell of her ear.

“Or I’ll turn that fine ass of yours so red you won’t sit for days without thinking about me. Don’t test me on this, Aspen. The other day’s punishment was gentle compared to what I’ll do if you put yourself in danger.”

Her throat worked with a hard swallow. “Just so I understand. If that was gentle the other day, then what’s your idea of not gentle?” she asked with parted lips and crimson cheeks, glassy eyes blinking up at me.

A dark chuckle rumbled in my chest while my cock twitched just imagining the future punishment. “Not gentle would be Aiden’s cock balls deep in your cunt with me taking your ass while I spank you raw.”

With one slow blink, then another, she gaped up at me. “Oh.”

Huffing a laugh, I stepped back, taking in her flushed cheeks and quick breaths. “Fuck, baby girl. Based on how turned on you look, maybe that’s more incentive to be a naughty girl than not.”

A single slender shoulder rose as she shot me a sassy wink. Damn, this woman would be the death of me.

“Fine, if taking us both at the same time isn’t a deterrent to be good, I could always threaten to hide your camera or have us hold out on you as punishment.”

Dark eyes widened before narrowing. “You wouldn’t dare.”

“Which one?”

“Either.” Rolling her eyes, she tossed up her free hand. “I’ll be safe and aware of my surroundings, stranger danger, and all that if I go into town. Promise. Now go.” She shoved my shoulder, though I barely even shifted with the push. “Before you’re late for work.”

With a clipped nod, I forced myself to turn. Boots slamming to the steps, I picked up the pace to a quick jog to catch up with Aiden, who was already halfway down the street. As we rounded a corner to take the path to the equipment shed, I chanced one last look over my shoulder. Aspen still stood on the porch, both forearms resting on the railing, coffee cup in hand, the wind whipping at her loose hair. Noticing me, she smiled and made a shooing motion with her hand.

My heart lurched, thumping almost painfully in my chest at the picturesque scene.

Aspen Carter was absolutely everything we wanted and never knew we needed.

And I’d do anything to keep her safe.

No matter the cost.

25

ASPEN

An appreciative hum vibrated in my throat as I took another sip of the impeccable blend of milk and coffee from the oversized bear-shaped mug. This was absolute heaven. Delicious coffee, beautiful scenery outside the large window beside my table, and nothing to do.

Well, that last part wasn’t exactly true.

Glancing away from the window, I eyed the trail map resting on the wooden table in front of me and debated for the thousandth time since I sat down if I should do what I wanted or obey Miles’s order. I fully understood his reasons for being insanely cautious—though overbearing was a better word—but I was an independent woman who hadn’t been told what she could or couldn’t do in a very long time.

Part of me wanted to go on the hike just because he told me I couldn’t.