Page 14 of Guiding Little Gabi

A flash of pure joy shot through her at the sight of Raleigh standing in the doorway. For some reason, he did not look happy. As a matter of fact, he looked downright angry. Her tummy clenched and her pussy throbbed in equal measure.

What was he doing here? It couldn’t be for her. Someone who didn’t want to be her Daddy wouldn’t travel halfway across the country to see her. How did he even know about the Ranch?

She had a niggle of unease, and the longer he stood there, all hot and bothered, the stronger that niggle grew. Maybe she should have turned her phone back on and checked to see if he’d called over the weekend. But she hadn’t wanted to talk to him. What was there to say? At the memory of all that had happened, her joy turned to anger.

Raising her chin a notch, she glared at him. “I don’t want to talk to you. I decided I’m leaving.”

The smile that curved his lips was menacing. He’d never looked at her like that before. “That’s a shame, teacup. But before you go, there are a few things you and Daddy are going to discuss.”

He had no right to?—

Wait, did he say Daddy?

Even with all the anger and hurt coursing through her, her tummy still clenched. He hadn’t used that voice… that Daddy kind of voice… with her in months.

Was he kidding her right now? She’d asked him to be her Daddy, and he’d said no. Well, he didn’t say no, but he hadn’t said yes, either. And now he wanted to stand there and call himself Daddy?

Uh-uh. No way. That ship had sailed. Sure, she was cutting off her nose to spite her face, but she had her pride. Besides, if he didn’t leave now, he’d leave eventually.

Half of her wanted to run to him and let him wrap her in his arms. But the other half, the half that had learned the hard way how these things ended, wanted to find something heavy and throw it at him.

That niggle inside her grew even stronger. Something she’d never felt before zinged from her tummy to a place lower down. It seemed she wasn’t very good at solving her own problems either.

CHAPTER 5

The vise-like grip of fear on Raleigh’s chest released the moment he saw her. She looked like an angry kitten, hissing with her hackles raised. He’d never seen anyone more beautiful in his life, primarily because she was finally close to him, allowing him to see for himself that she was unharmed.

Unfortunately for her, when the fear disappeared, her white-hot anger took its place. He counted to ten three times and swallowed twice before calming himself enough to speak in a firm but gentle tone. Okay, maybe gentle was too strong a word, but at least he didn’t shout.

He’d heard every word of her earlier conversation with Derek. That her family wasn’t well off didn’t shock him. Gabi gave a large portion of what she earned each month to them. That was part of the reason he’d moved her up from receptionist to his administrative assistant. He’d tried to raise her salary without increasing her responsibility, but she wouldn't accept it.

Of course, the main reason he wanted her as his assistant was that he enjoyed having her close. She fulfilled something for him on a level he didn't quite understand.

That didn't mean she couldn't drive him crazy with all her antics. However, now that he would soon be able to blister herbottom when her shenanigans grew too out of hand, he was looking forward to those antics.

“You aren’t my Daddy. I don’t have to do what you say.”

Barking out the closest he could get to a laugh, he said, “Oh, babygirl. Sass me right now, and I’ll prove to you in ways you can’t imagine that I am absolutely your Daddy. Now sit your butt back down in your chair so we can talk.”

She crossed her arms over her chest. “Still not my Daddy.”

Without thought, Raleigh spun her around and landed a hard swat across her nicely rounded ass. “I said sit, Gabrielle. You should take the opportunity while you still can. It’s not going to last long.”

Gabi turned back to stare at him, lips parted, eyes wide. “You spanked me!”

“Not even close, teacup. Now sit.”

This time she moved, but to the couch instead of the chair as he’d directed. That’s fine, babygirl. You just keep writing those checks your bottom will be cashing later. Truth be told, he’d rather have her on the couch anyway. It would make things easier later.

“I have some things to go over with Erika,” Derek said. “I’ll be through that door if you need me.”

Raleigh nodded. All he needed was his naughty Little girl, his hand, and the ruler Derek had conveniently left on his desk. He grabbed the straight-backed chair he spotted in the corner.

Gabi must have developed a fascination with wooden flooring because her eyes were glued to the one beneath her feet. Placing the chair in front of the couch, he sat down before her. “First of all, are you all right? I’ve been worried sick about you. Do you realize I’ve been trying to reach you for days?”

She nibbled on her bottom lip, a sign that she was second-guessing herself. “I turned my phone off at the Knoxville airport. I didn’t want to talk to anyone from Darling.”

That was a lie. Gabi always wanted a group of friends. Sometimes it worried him what lengths she would go to in order to make and keep them. “Why did you leave without telling me?”

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