Page 21 of Daddy's Naughty Author

"About how you owe me a trip to the bookstore when you get back. You promised, remember?" It's a deflection, a return to the safety of our playful banter, but also, a promise of things to come, of the future.

"Wouldn't dream of forgetting." There's a smile in his voice now, a warmth that eases some of the tightness in my chest.

Margaret texted me this morning, letting my know KC would be home today and asked me to give him a hug for her. I don’t know how long I sit on the front porch, but the cold has seeped into my bones by the time I hear the familiar rumble of KC’s truck. My heart does a ridiculous little flip at the sound, but I ignore it, shoving my hands deeper into the front pocket of his hoodie as I watch his truck pull up. He’s finally back home. I’m trying to remain cool, calm and collected. Grateful to Margaret for the heads up on his return, even if she did accidentally ruin his surprise. I’ll just sit here and pretend that I’m not excited to see him. Just sit here and…

Nope. The second he shifts into park, I’m up, practically sprinting down the steps.

Big mistake.

The second my foot touches the icy patch at the bottom of the stairs, my world tilts. My stomach lurches as my balance vanishes, and a startled yelp escapes me. But before I can meet the frozen ground, strong arms catch me.

One second, I’m falling, the next, I’m cradled against KC’s chest. His arms tighten around me instinctively, pulling me close, his warmth seeping into my frozen skin. My breath comes fast and uneven as I grip the front of his jacket, trying to steady myself.

“Well, damn, baby girl,” he murmurs, his lips curving in amusement. “You couldn’t wait two more seconds for me to come to you?”

I look up, breath catching at the intensity in his gaze. “You’re here,” I whisper.

KC doesn’t answer. He just lowers his mouth to mine, kissing me slow and deep, right there in the middle of the sidewalk. His lips are warm, firm, teasing at first before turning possessive. He kisses me like he’s making up for lost time, like he wants to erase every hour we’ve been apart.

By the time he pulls back, I’m breathless, my head spinning for reasons that have nothing to do with my near fall.

“Missed me that much, huh?” His voice is husky, teasing.

I manage a smirk. “Not at all. I just enjoy nearly dying on the ice for fun.”

KC chuckles, shaking his head. “And here I thought you’d finally learned how to behave.”

I arch a brow. “Where’s the fun in that?”

He lets out a mock sigh, then tugs me close, pressing his lips to my forehead. “Missed you too, baby girl,” he admits, voice softer now, less teasing.

I close my eyes, letting the moment settle between us, then lean back just enough to meet his gaze. “Are you okay? Did everything go alright?”

KC sighs, his expression shifting. “I can’t tell you much about my work,” he says simply, his tone making it clear he’s not going to elaborate.

I chew on my bottom lip, debating whether to push, but before I can say anything, his gaze flicks down to my legs, his expression darkening. “RJ,” he drawls, his voice dipping into dangerous territory.

Uh-oh.

“What?” I ask, playing innocent.

KC’s gaze drags down to my bare legs, to my ridiculous fuzzy house slippers, then back up to meet my eyes. “Why the hell are you outside in pajamas and slippers?”

I shrug. “It’s not that cold.”

His eyes flash. “Not that cold? Your damn legs are practically blue.” Before I can argue, he hauls me up into his arms with zero effort, cradling me against his chest as he starts marching toward the house.

“KC!” I squeal, wrapping my arms around his neck. “I can walk, you know.”

He snorts. “You sure about that? Because last I checked, you were two seconds away from busting your ass on the ice.”

I huff, but he’s not wrong.

He kicks the front door open, carrying me inside like I weigh nothing. The moment we’re through the threshold, warmth rushes over my frozen limbs, but it’s nothing compared to the heat in KC’s eyes as he sets me down.

His hands stay on my hips, firm and possessive. “You’re freezing,” he murmurs.

“I’m fine,” I say, but my voice wavers when he slides his hands up under the hoodie—his hoodie—and rests them against my bare waist.

“Gotta warm you up,” he murmurs, his lips brushing my temple. “And don’t worry, baby girl, I’ve got more than one way to do it.”

A shiver runs through me, and it has absolutely nothing to do with the cold.

“Promise?” I whisper.

KC’s lips curve into that wicked, knowing smirk that always gets me in trouble. “Oh, I don’t break my promises.”

And just like that, I know I’m in for it. And God help me, I wouldn’t have it any other way.

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