Page 37 of Wild As Her

"You're not my dad," I scoff. "You don't get to tell me what to do."

"You want a daddy?" he says, edging closer.

Oh, shit.

"Because I'll be whatever I need to be to keep you safe." His voice drops lower, his gaze darker.

Why are my panties so soaked? Holy shit, that was hot.

"Come on," he grunts as he guides me gently towards the house and up the porch stairs.

Angry Jack is sexy. That's what I'm taking from this evening. I like sexy angry Jack.

The next morning I come downstairs to Jack, bent down, messing with my coffee maker, trying to figure it out. He looks frustrated, and he glances over at me and says, "What's the secret, Cami? Just tell me. Why does it taste so good?"

I chuckle and move beside him, reaching into a jar I have tucked off to the side. I hold it up. "Cinnamon. Just a pinch."

He sighs with relief. "Whatever it is, I need it."

I suck in my breath when he says that and smile as I finish making the coffee.

"What are you smiling about?" he asks.

"Nothing. Just making coffee." I hum.

"You scared the shit out of me last night," he sayssoftly.

"You don't have to worry about me," I say confidently. "I can take care of myself. Have been all my life."

“Youcantake care of yourself,” Jack says, calm and maddeningly reasonable. “But that doesn’t mean you have to.”

I sigh and cross my arms. “Jack, those idiots carry bats. I carry bear spray and a meat tenderizer.”

He blinks like I just spoke in tongues. “Wait, why a meat tenderizer?”

I reach into my tote bag and pull out the massive orange canister like it’s a trophy. “Industrial strength. This baby’s meant for grizzlies. Works just as well on dumbasses named Jace and Granger.”

Jack stares at me as if he’s visibly concerned for the population of Wyoming.

“The meat tenderizer is aluminum. Spiked. Lives under my truck seat. You never know when someone needs tenderizing.”

His mouth opens. Closes. Then he drags his hand down his face. “You are… completely unhinged.”

I grin. “No, I’m just a woman who refuses to be messed with and has excellent aim.”

He’s still staring at me like he’s equal parts turned on and afraid. “You know, normal people carry pepper spray, right?”

“Pepper spray doesn’t stop a bear or Granger. You see, Jack, Some people were put on this planet to evolve. And Granger is a reminder of what it looks like if you don’t.”

He laughs, deep and rough, and mutters under his breath, “God help me.”

The coffee finishes brewing, and I top off our thermos.

"I don't know if I'm more scaredofyou orforyou right now," he admits.

The back door opens, and my mom walks in uninvited, and she surveys the kitchen, taking in Jack standing next to me as we get our coffeesready.

And this is how I know it’s not going to be a good morning.

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