Daddy's Angel (Montana Daddies 7)

Her eyes were wide, her breath coming in sharp pants. Her face had gone pale.

“I’m just going to help you, okay?” he said, speaking low and soft as one might to an injured animal. She looked terrified and he hated it.

She managed a nod and he lifted her up in his arms before she could change her mind. He quickly carried her over to a bench, setting her down. Then he grabbed a bottle of water from the small bar fridge, handing it to her.

She looked even worse close up. Wan, with dark smudges under her eyes. Tendrils of hair stuck to her forehead. She just held onto the water, not even looking down at it. Trembles rocked her body. He grabbed hold of her wrist.

“Pulse is way too fast. Pushed yourself too far.” He couldn’t stop the scolding note in his voice. She just continued to stare at him.

“Drink the water,” he bossed, expecting immediate obedience.

Nothing. Damn it.

He took the bottle back from her and undid the lid. He held it out, but she didn’t take it. Instead, her head dropped back, her eyes fluttering shut.

“Fuck! Don’t faint. Hey. Hey. You’re okay.” He grabbed hold of her, moving her until she was lying on her back on the ground with her feet up on the bench.

Then he jumped to his feet and grabbed a clean hand towel. He poured some water onto the towel and placed it around the back of her neck.

“Still feeling dizzy?”

She nodded then closed her eyes as if that small movement made her feel ill. Probably did, poor thing.

He slid a hand under her shoulders and sat her up slightly. Her feet slid from the bench and he moved her so she was resting against his chest. Then he lifted the bottle of water to her lips.

“Slowly. That’s better. Good girl.” He took her pulse again. Getting better. He kept holding the bottle up to her lips until it was entirely gone.

She let out a sigh then sat up, moving away from him. He took that as his cue and stood. Then he held a hand out to her. She stared at it for a moment before she slid her far smaller one into his.

“Thank you,” she said quietly, unable to meet his gaze.

He should tell her about last night. He should ask her if she needed any help. But he made himself pull back.

“You need to stretch,” he bossed. “Eat something. You pushed yourself too far.”

“I know. I…I…thanks.” She turned and left before he could say anything more.

Damn it. Why did most of their conversations end up with his scolding her and her running from him?

“Hey, angel,” Bain said quietly as she walked up and stood beside him at the fridge. “Want some ice cream?”

It had been several nights since she’d last sleepwalked. He’d half-hoped she wouldn’t do it again. And half-hoped she would.

Idiot.

She let out a shuddering breath and he narrowed his gaze as he looked her over. Fine trembles rocked her body. Was she cold? The temperature in the apartment was kept too damn warm in his opinion. But then he wasn’t a tiny little thing like the woman standing before him.

“Angel, are you all right?”

“S-scared.” She stuttered over the word which was a little cute.

“Did you have a nightmare?”

She nodded. Frustration bit at him. He reminded himself to remain calm. She was fragile in this state. He couldn’t do anything to upset her.

Then to his shock, she stepped forward and wrapped her arms around his middle.

Uh, what? Holy fuck.