Daddy's Pet

6. Scarlett

6

SCARLETT

SATURDAY SEVEN A.MI was up super early looking after the most recent litter of puppies, which my Yorkie dam had just whelped and already drank two cups of tea. But I couldn’t blame caffeine for the excitement that buzzed inside me. It’s one thing to assume you’re in love and have it get tossed in your face because in your foolish youth you misread the cues. It was understandable, yes, but still hard to forgive. Honestly, I still kicked myself over Darwood.

This whirring sensation that had set in since being carried by Dr. Dreamy was something I could handle. s****l attraction pure and simple. So long as I didn’t convince myself it was anything more, everything would be fine. Judging by the state of my body, it was long overdue for some nookie.

There was a knock at the door and the flittering in my belly kicked up like a tornado. It was him. The handsome gentleman coming to call on me. The guy Roxy said devoured me with his eyes. It felt nice to be wanted.

I rubbed my hands up and down on my jodhpurs and flung the door wide open.

“Well, hello!” He shuffled back a couple of steps. “Glad to find you back in good health.” It was like Roxy said, his stare locked onto my eyes. I stood there staring at the ground like an awkward dolt. I wasn’t used to being so noticed.

“I was never out of it.” I bit my cheek and tried again, “Can I get you something to drink or are you ready to feed?” As if on cue, we heard reproaching whinnies from the barn. “Come on, they assume they’re dying of hunger,” I pulled the door shut behind me and marched off to the barn. It was my natural habitat where I operated with confidence, no matter that I was being accompanied by a tall drink of water who had the potential to make me nervous as heck.

Once inside the barn, I realized I was almost out of molasses oats, which Friendly, my burro, would perish without. “Okay Buddy, let me get some down for you.” I climbed the wooden ladder and reached up over my head to pull a bag from the platform where the oats were stored.

“Whoa there, Skippy. Let me help you out with that, okay?” Suddenly, I sensed a warm, hot body close to me, and before I reacted a strong arm reached around my midsection, and the other firmly gripped the rungs as we descended, guiding me safely down the ladder in his half embrace. In self-defense, my inner Bitter Betty complained, “Jeez. Every time I turn around, you’re carrying me somewhere! I can get that, I do it all the time.” I shoved my hands onto my hips and pointed to the bag of oats he had fetched after placing me on the ground.

“Just because you can do something, Scarlett, doesn’t mean you should. Did you ever consider that it might give me pleasure to help you?” My skin flushed as he leaned towards me and emphasized the word “pleasure”. I appreciated his eyes on my body and realized that I missed his warmth against my back.

Oh God, was he going to…?

“There’s nothing wrong with taking care of yourself.” Aiden said and did move in close enough to kiss me. Instead he said softly, “And you strike me as the kind of person who will always be okay. But there’s bliss to be found in letting someone take care of you for a change.” He hefted the bag of oats on his shoulder and walked to the plastic garbage cans where they were stored. His long finger pointed at it and he arched his black brow in question, making the internal ripples of desire start up again while I nodded, “No strings attached.” He said, “Simply allow me the privilege of helping out a beautiful woman while I learn more about what makes her tick.” And with that, he upended the entire bag of oats in the can.

I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t worshipping those arms of his as he did so.

We wrapped up feeding about an hour later and took a walk around the property. It surprised me that I no longer seemed uncomfortable and fidgety around him, just stimulated. Before leaving he asked, “Anything I can get you before I head to work? You need anything at the store?”

“Nope, I’m good. And I’m not just saying that because I’m trying to be an independent woman. I really have everything I need.” I grinned widely.

His lips parted into a half smile and he asked, “Are you sure you have everything you need?”

“You get what I mean…” my cheeks flushed.

“I do,” he put his hands in his back pockets and rocked a little, “I’m teasing you, I’m sorry.” He blinked quickly and asked, “Listen, I have to go in to work but I would love to visit you again.”

I shook my hands and asked, “You mean like on an actual date?” One of my hens started squawking at that moment, sounding like an egg was stuck.

“I mean, like on an actual date. See how things are when we’re not dealing with an emergency, or mucking the stalls.”

“I didn’t make you muck!”

“I kid. I like helping you feed, but it would be nice to have the chance to spend some time with you.”

“What are you doing tomorrow?”

“Wide open.”

“Me too, if you want to help feed again, we can go to breakfast after.”

“Perfect. I’ll be here at seven.”

He gave me that drop-dead grin of his, which showed off his chiseled jaw to perfection. I liked the fact that he had grey in his hair and the proof of experience etched in his smile, in spite of rocking a body which was freaky fit and spry. Sweet Mother, he is gorgeous.

Yes, in-deedy. I could already perceive myself hungry as a bear for breakfast. But it would be a poor substitute for how I was starving for the good doctor.