Page 10 of Reindeer and Restraints
Starla plucks a plush reindeer from the endcap and wiggles it in front of Jane's face, making her squeal in delight.
Then her tiny fingers grab the toy and plunge it straight into her mouth.
I'm close to gagging, thinking how many people have touched it. I make a mental note to pack lots of extra wipes when we go to the ranch—and not to let her get her mouth on any real reindeer.
"I'd love to go to the ranch with you, but my schedule's pretty full. I'll find someone to go with you, though," Bellamie says.
"You don't have to do that."
"I want to. I have to make sure you survive so you make it to the auction."
"In that case, thank you. I need the auction more than ever, even if it just turns into one night of fun."
Chapter 6
Walker
I grip the rough cedar post harder than necessary, my knuckles whitening against the hard wood. While I pretend to be checking the joints, my gaze locks on the woman across the corral.
Her blonde hair sparkles, literally, in the winter sun. She seems to have tinsel in her hair. She looks so familiar, but I don't know anyone who wears tinsel.
Her expression hints at a struggle beneath her happy exterior. She balances a squirming toddler on her hip—sufficient enough reason for a struggle.
Something primal stirs in my chest—protectiveness, the need to claim her, the desire to make her mine. Whatever her struggle, I need to fix it.
She's here with a girlfriend, not a husband or boyfriend, and I already confirmed there's no ring on her finger. Is the baby daddy a deadbeat?
I force my gaze to the parent tending to a kid who's having a meltdown. I don't have the patience for that. Why am I letting my dick get hard over a mom?
Fuck, I don't even know if she's available. Why can't I shake this need to be with her?
Her gaze fixes on me, and I hold it for a moment, then nod. Adrenaline races through me. Did she stare because I was staring or because we have something?
I step into the corral and rub my hand over one of the reindeer’s backs, making sure I look official. I'd continue across the corral in a heartbeat if she didn't have a kid. My mind flashes to pinning her against the barn wall, her breath hitching as I slide my hand up her thigh. But I'm the ranch owner, not some rutting buck.
The toddler points at the reindeer, her giggles slicing through the crisp air. The blonde leans in, murmuring something that draws a brighter squeal from the kid.
"Thanks for coming, Molly. I had to get out with this little one, and Bellamie and Starla were busy. Have you ever been to a reindeer farm?" The blonde's voice carries. "Did you even know they existed?"
Molly hesitates, eyes flicking to the antlered animals milling in the enclosure. Reindeer snort and paw the ground. Molly seems to be studying them before she says, "There's a first time for everything. Life's just one big adventure, right?"
Interesting. She didn't answer either question.
The blonde laughs, a hint of sadness weighing it down. "Yeah, adventure. That's how I've always rolled. Until this little one." She holds the toddler up as if taking a better look. She returns the kid to her hip, and they both peer over the fence.
A sharp scream erupts from beside them—a different kid, red-faced and wailing as a reindeer nudges too close.
"I'm so glad Jane's not afraid of reindeer. Not sure I'm ready for a meltdown." Blondie sounds grateful, but surely she's managed meltdowns before. She ushers the comment away by pressing a big, fat kiss to Jane's chubby cheek.
I'm decidedly a selfish prick for wanting to give her something else to plant a big, fat kiss on. Yet, I move one fence panel closer.
Brighter than before, she says, "One perk of having a kid is that I get to do all these fun things I would've skipped otherwise."
Molly ponders the statement and seems almost longing. "Yeah, a kid opens up activities that would seem weird solo."
The blonde tilts her head. "Want to hold her?"
Molly pauses longer than the question deserves. Most people have a pretty clear idea if they want to hold a kid or not. I'm a no—unless Blondie asks me to. Then I'd figure it out.
