Daddy's Sweet Girl (Montana Daddies 3)

She stared up at him, her jaw set firmly.

“Funny, I did not pick you as the stubborn type.”

“Because I’m so quiet and boring?”

He narrowed his gaze. “That’s the last time I want to hear you say that about yourself. And don’t think I’ve forgotten what you called yourself earlier.”

She just glared at him. “It’s not any of your business what I call myself. You came here to pay a debt. It’s paid. We both made a mistake, our lips met. Big deal. We’re both adults. Now, I want to go to sleep. I’m tired. So please leave.”

“Easiest way to get me to go is to take the damn card.”

She reached up and snatched it out of his hand. “Fine. I’ve got it. Now go.”

“Promise.”

“Urgh!” She threw her hands up in the air and stomped her foot down. Oh, there was most definitely a temper under all that shyness. And that small stomp of her foot would find his lap under different circumstances.

You don’t want a Little. You don’t want her.

Well, his erection would beg to differ.

Just as well he didn’t make decisions based on what state his dick was in.

“Promise me, Abby. I need to know that if you’re in trouble that you will call me.”

“I don’t get in trouble.” She yawned and a shiver ran through her. She was standing by the open door dressed in threadbare pajamas. She was exhausted. And he was badgering her.

Way to be an asshole, man.

“Abby, please,” he gentled his voice. “Just because we’re not suited to each other is no reason for you not to take me up on this. You never know when you might need help. Promise me.”

“Fine, I promise,” she said with great reluctance.

Funnily enough, the knot in his stomach didn’t dissipate the way he thought it would. He took one last look at her, then turned towards the door. “Make sure you lock this behind me,” he ordered. “I’ll wait on the other side until you do.”

She didn’t answer. Just slammed the door shut behind him. He sighed. But he stayed there until he heard the quiet click. Then he walked down the steps, towards his truck. A sense of wrongness filled him. It pulled at him, urging him to turn around and tell her that he had made a mistake.

But his mistake wasn’t kissing her. It was pushing her away.

Instead, he forced himself into his truck, started up the engine and left. It was for the best. There was no way he could give her what she needed.

ABBY HUGGED HERSELF as she leaned back against the door. Her eyes closed as she heard his truck start up. She’d kissed Kent Jensen. Even though things had gone to shit afterwards, even though he’d been clear to tell her what a mistake he’d made, she’d always have that.

All these years of crushing on him, she’d never once thought he would end up in her house, that he would kiss her. He was gorgeous. Sometimes sweet. Bossy. Protective. He called to every longing inside her. All she’d ever wanted was someone to watch over her. She knew that she was supposed to be independent, strong, she was supposed to be able to take care of herself. To not rely on a man.

But she guessed she was just built differently from most people. Growing up, she’d loved reading books where the girl had an older brother. Someone to watch out for her. To give her advice. To warn off other boys from wanting to date her.

That wasn’t to say her feelings towards Kent were brotherly. Far from it.

But watching him with his sister, hearing him talk about the way the women on Sanctuary were protected by all the men, it spoke to that part of her that had always longed for a safe place, a family, home.

Nana had tried her best. She’d loved Abby and her brother. But it wasn’t that warm, fuzzy love. She hadn’t been the type to hand out hugs or praise. She’d kept a roof over their heads, food in their bellies, she’d clothed them, she’d tried to teach them right from wrong. Although that hadn’t really worked with Max. But she hadn’t been one to put up with any sort of emotional nonsense, as she’d liked to call it.

Abby moved slowly through the house, tidying up the mess. Nana would roll over in her grave if she didn’t clean up before bed. She walked into her bedroom. And froze. All she could remember was Kent kneeling by the bed, his hands on her legs, his handsome face creased in concern.

She’d thought he cared.

Idiot.