Total pages in book: 149
Estimated words: 151384 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 757(@200wpm)___ 606(@250wpm)___ 505(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 151384 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 757(@200wpm)___ 606(@250wpm)___ 505(@300wpm)
“You’re just full of compliments today,” he told her.
“Those weren’t compliments!” She tapped her feet and pointed at him. “Arrogant and bossy are not good things to be.”
“Seems to be working out okay for me. Now, naughty and sassy, those are not good things to be. At least, for your butt.”
She gasped so hard that she nearly tripped over her own feet. “Are you saying I’m naughty and sassy?”
“Yep.”
“And that you’ll . . . you’ll . . .”
“Smack your butt? Yep. I’ll smack your butt if I see you climbing a ladder again.”
Tobias eyed her closely as he said that. She guessed he might be testing how she would react to that threat after the way she’d reacted the other week when he’d actually smacked her butt.
She tried not to think about her reaction. Things between them had been a bit strange since, but he hadn’t tried to spank her again.
And it wasn’t like she was scared of him, she’d been taken by surprise, so she just gave him a sassy look back.
“Huh. Rude. And, again, it’s not a ladder, it’s a step-stool.”
“Sweetness, it’s over four feet tall. It’s a ladder. What were you thinking?”
“That I wanted to get a head start on the Christmas decorations.”
“Cherry, Christmas isn’t for another eight weeks.”
“Actually, it’s seven weeks. Way past the time that the Christmas decorations should be up.”
“Don’t they go up in December?”
“No, no, no. I am not spending three days putting up Christmas decorations only to enjoy them for three weeks! I want to enjoy them for at least six. But now that you’re here, you can help.”
“Three days? Who spends three days putting up Christmas decorations?” he asked.
“Me! Because I’m not a Grinch. Which I’m starting to think you are. Oh, that reminds me. I need to get you Christmas pajamas.”
“I don’t need pajamas,” he told her.
“Sure you do. What size are you? Extra-extra-large for your ego?”
“Brat. I’m not extra-extra-large. And I don’t wear pajamas.”
“Then what do you wear to bed? A T-shirt and boxers?”
“Nope.”
She stared up at him expectantly. Then he grinned. It was a wicked grin.
“Well?” she said impatiently. What was the big secret?
“I don’t wear anything at all.”
Oh unicorn poop.
She really shouldn’t have asked.
“I shouldn’t have asked.” She put her hands over her eyes as though he was naked right now.
He started to laugh and she moved her hands, staring up at him in wonder. “You’re so sexy when you laugh.”
Oh cupcakes!
Why had she said that?
“I mean, uh, I mean, I like your laugh!”
“You think I’m sexy.” His eyes were half-lidded as he gazed at her.
“No, no, no. I do not think you’re sexy! I mean you’re handsome, but you’re not sexy!”
“Is that so? What if I took off my shirt, would you think I’m sexy then?” He reached for the bottom of his T-shirt and she squealed, covering her eyes again.
Only this time, she parted her fingers slightly so she could peek out.
Hey! A girl could only be so good. And she was willing to bet that he had an amazing body.
“I can see you peeking,” he told her. “Want to see what I’ve got under this T-shirt?”
“No,” she squealed, dropping her hands as he picked her up and carried her to the sofa, setting her down on it. “And what is with everyone picking me up and putting me wherever they want to?”
He crouched in front of her. “You don’t like it?”
Oh cupcakes.
“And before you answer, you should remember that I don’t like to be lied to.”
She sighed, shoulders slumping. “I don’t think it’s lying, exactly. More like exaggerating the truth.”
He gave her a stern look.
“Fine. I like being carried around.”
“You say it like it’s a bad thing.”
Immy bit her lower lip until he reached up to pull it out of her teeth. “Isn’t it?”
“I don’t think so. You can like what you like, as long as it’s not harming anyone.”
“But isn’t it harming everyone’s backs?”
His face grew serious. “Are you saying you’re too heavy for me to carry?”
“Um, considering I’m a grown woman, yes.” Why was he upset about that?
“That’s the last time you’ll do that.”
“Do what?” she asked, feeling bewildered.
“Put yourself down. Don’t like it. Don’t do it.”
Oh yeah. He’d told her that before.
“I don’t really consider that putting myself down. But, let’s leave that and go to the other issue. You don’t like it so I shouldn’t do it? Is that what you’re saying?”
“Exactly what I’m saying. Glad that’s clear.”
“You’re not actually the boss of me.”
“Had this conversation, don’t need to have it again. I am the boss. I’m in charge. You do what I say.”
“Is there something worse than arrogant?” she asked. “Can you be double-dose arrogant? Because that’s what you are. You’re the DD of arrogant.”
“Being cute ain’t gonna get you out of your scolding.”
“I’m being cute?” She sat up straighter, smiling.