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“Good girl.”I come up behind her, gently pull up her panties and then her pants, and reach around to fasten them.When I’m done, I turn her in my arms and hug her close, stroking over her braid.
I kiss her temple and lean her back.“Do you have any idea how much I love you?”
Her eyes go wide, and her jaw drops.
I smile.“So much that I don’t even recognize myself.It’s like you showed up in my life and a switch flipped.I’ve never met anyone I could dominate the way I do you.I’ve waited forty-four years to find you.I will not let you do anything reckless that could endanger your life, understood?”
She nods.“I’m sorry.”
I smile and kiss her forehead.“You’re forgiven.From now on, I want you to go over your schedule with me soIcan decide which expeditions seem safe enough for you to go on alone and which ones I should plan to join you on.Understood?”
“Yes, Sir.”
My dick jumps, and I suddenly knowexactlywhat we’re going to do this afternoon.
Chapter19
Reagan
When we enter the kitchen, everyone is gathered at the table, tearing into a giant plate of sandwiches.Tiago guides me to a chair and smirks when I wince as I sit down.
Ryder flat-out laughs.“Did someone misbehave this morning?”
My face heats.The dynamics in this house are bizarre.I’ve only ever lived with one relative, and though my grandfather and I are very close, we don’t have this banter.I’m not used to it.
The fact that Ryder, Claire, and undoubtedly Dallas know I got punished a few minutes ago is unnerving.It’s weird enough that I let someone spank me.Knowing that everyone in the house is always going to be aware of damn near everything Tiago and I do makes me feel like I’ve stepped into another dimension.
Claire swats Ryder’s arm.“Don’t tease her.She’s new to living with neanderthals.Give her a break.”
I can’t help but giggle.Claire is right.It’s going to take me a while to get used to this, but I don’t hate it, especially when Tiago tips my head back and kisses me long and deep until I’m dizzy.
He fills a plate for me and fixes me a drink before serving himself.The man is thoughtful and attentive while also being demanding and growly.
Claire is nibbling on her sandwich.I wonder if she’s feeling queasy.I don’t know much about pregnancy.I’ve never known anyone close to me who was pregnant.
Being raised by my grandfather was a blessing, and I owe him tremendous gratitude for taking me in and turning me into the adult I’m proud to be.But he wasn’t overly comfortable talking to me about girly things.He bought me a book to read about periods and told me to ask him if I had questions.
To be honest, I think I had more education than some of my peers whose parents didn’t get them a book or tell them anything.We didn’t discuss pregnancy beyond him making sure I understood how it happened and how to prevent it.
Ryder gets up and heads for the refrigerator, returning a minute later with a clear soda and a glass of ice.
Claire covers her mouth and shakes her head.“No ice.”
Ryder sets it aside, squats beside his wife, and rubs her back.“What else can I get you, baby?”
“I’m good.I just need to take it slow.”
His brows are furrowed as he retakes his seat at the table.He eats, but he keeps a close eye on Claire at all times.He adores her.
When I glance at Tiago, he’s staring at me.Is he picturing me in a similar predicament?I feel slightly queasy myself, either out of sympathy or panic.I’m not sure I’m ready to be a mother.Until a few days ago, it hadn’t even crossed my mind.
We need something to lighten the mood in the room and change the subject before everyone starts discussing the color of my ass again, which I’m pretty sure is a possibility.
I look at Dallas.“How’d it go at the library this morning?”
Dallas has taken on the task of studying the city planning maps so we can decide which businesses need the most urgent attention.Claire and I have helped as much as we can since we’ve both lived here since birth, but the maps dating back decades are housed at the small town library.
Dallas looks down at his plate.“It went well.I found some of what we’re looking for, but a lot of the early documents are not well organized.I’ll have to dig through them to find the rest of what we need.”