Page 44 of Sold to the Single Daddies

“Right now, I’m going to go back to sleep. I’ll see y’all in the morning.”

Climbing the stairs with their eyes on me made me want to sprint up them with my hands over my ass. I couldn’t imagine they were getting my best angle but I forced myself to stay calm. I didn’t look back. I just let myself back into my room and shut the door.

I knew what I wanted but it felt crazy. I needed time to think about it. I needed space to not make a choice with my body instead of my head and heart.

CHAPTER 30

Reagan

After breakfast, Mills asked me to come check on some cattle with him and Mason. He even asked to have Lucky on his chest as he drove us around the ranch in a side-by-side. There was just something magical about seeing our son strapped to his wide chest. Magical, and sexy as hell. I kept stealing glances at the pair of them while he drove us over a few spots of rougher terrain.

“Damn. You should see how he drives over this place when you and Lucky aren’t here, Rea. I thought I’d broken my tailbone.” Mason leaned his head forward, cutting off my view of Mills. It was probably for the best.

I turned so I could face my little brother and couldn’t deny myself the pleasure of reaching out and pinching his cheek.

“You look so much older already, Mason. It’s only been a week or so and you already look more like a man. What’s a whole summer going to do to you? I’m going to miss my baby-faced little brother.”

He turned red and swatted my hand away.

“Come on, Reagan!”

I didn’t get to see him much since he’d started working and I decided it was as good a time as ever to bring up the tuition conversation again.

“I think you should save whatever money you make this summer. I know you didn’t like the way I made the money but I made it and I get to choose what I do with it, Mason. I’ve already sent in the money for tuition. Can we just leave it at that?”

Mills shifted uncomfortably and cleared his throat.

“Almost there.”

“I told you no, Reagan.” Mason sat back with a stern expression on his face and I knew it would take more than just asking to convince him.

“Do you want to know something? The moment I found out about you I felt such a strong need to protect you and take care of you, Mason. Every year you didn’t have everything you wanted and needed made me feel like I was failing you and I hated it. I hated not having enough to take care of you properly. You deserve the world and I want to help give it to you. The moment I sent in that money to pay for your tuition…I felt like I was finally getting something right. It didn’t matter how I got there, but that I did. Don’t take that away from me.”

Mills parked the side by side and sat perfectly still, staring straight ahead.

“Let her do it, kid.”

“But—”

“No. Whatever your reasons are for objecting, throw them out. You heard her. It means something to her to take care of you. Let. Her. Do. It.” Mills’ shoulders slumped. “Even if your sister never really failed you, there’s something to be said for an older siblings’ guilt.”

Mason studied Mills and I saw the quickly developing hero-worship in his eyes. Maybe that would’ve completely terrified me when we first got to Devil’s Den but it wasn’t as scary after getting to know the man a little more. Finally, Mason sighed.

“What about her and Lucky? She should keep the money for herself.”

“We’re going to take care of your sister and Lucky, kid.” Mills shot me a look that dared me to argue. “Got it?”

“Fine. I’ll let the college keep the sex money.” Mason heard me gasp and laughed. “Only kidding, sis. Can we get to work now?”

I stayed where I was and watched Mason head over to the pasture where the other hands were milling around.

“Thank you.”

Mills grunted.

“I just have to say, angel, it’s really painful to be the man who paid for the sex during a conversation about your little brother not liking that you were paid for sex.”

I turned back to him and smiled.

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