Total pages in book: 47
Estimated words: 45946 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 230(@200wpm)___ 184(@250wpm)___ 153(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 45946 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 230(@200wpm)___ 184(@250wpm)___ 153(@300wpm)
“Do you have cameras out here or something?” He glanced around as though looking for them.
“Why? Are you doing something you need to hide?” Derek asked, sounding amused.
“Not today,” Barren joked. “But either you have cameras or some sort of sixth sense about when you’re needed.”
“You need me?”
“Nope. That sixth sense must be broken,” he told the other man.
“Strange. It hasn’t put me wrong yet,” Derek replied. “Everything all right?”
Barren sighed. He didn’t need to talk about his feelings. He’d done that with Eliot over several days. Several sober days. Yeah, he’d tried to drink away his feelings.
He hadn’t been successful.
After going back with Eliot to his place and meeting his Littles, Barren had decided to take a chance and come to Rawhide Ranch. His friend was ridiculously happy living his dream life with Marcus and Isla. A life where he didn’t have to hide his Dominant side. Where he didn’t have to hold back his need to protect, support, indulge, and discipline.
Barren wanted that.
When those divorce papers had come in, he’d spiralled down into a dark place. If it wasn’t for Eliot, he might not have found his way back out. He might not have made the decision to find his own Little. Someone he could take care of. Who would appreciate his protective, possessive streak and wouldn’t find him smothering, old-fashioned, and controlling.
Krystal’s words.
So he’d come here. Unfortunately, it hadn’t been a successful trip.
You were hoping for too much.
Yep, he’d gotten his hopes up. It was ridiculous and a forty-eight-year-old man should know better. Had he really expected to just find someone? That they would magically be waiting here for him? He had to be patient. Hopefully it would happen.
“I just need more patience,” he said.
“You don’t seem like a man who lacks patience,” Derek replied mildly. “But sometimes it’s when you least expect it that fate steps in and gives you what you were looking for.”
Right. Sure. He just hoped that fate remembered that he wasn’t getting any younger.
“I’m going to head home today,” he told Derek.
“You sure?”
“Yep. I’ve been gone over a week now. I should really get back to work.”
Derek nodded. “Work is important.”
Except it wasn’t anymore, was it? He had more money than he knew what to do with. And he could do a lot of his work from here anyway. However, the longer he stayed here without meeting a Little who suited him, who wanted him, the more depressed he grew. So for his peace of mind he was going. Perhaps he’d come back another time.
Or maybe you won’t.
“I can’t stop you from leaving, but we’ll miss you,” Derek told him.
He raised his eyebrows. “You barely know me.”
“I’m a good judge of character and you’re a good man, Barren. You’ll find her. She’s out there.”
Barren sighed. He wasn’t so sure.
Barren drove out of Rawhide Ranch’s gates, waving at the security guard as he went past. He liked how secure this place was. Derek took the safety of everyone on the Ranch seriously, especially the Littles.
It was too bad that he hadn’t clicked with any of the Littles who currently lived on the Ranch. However, no one had seemed right. And he didn’t want to make another mistake like he had with Krystal. This time he was determined to find the perfect Little. He kept driving. Perhaps he’d come back another time.
About half an hour into his drive, he saw someone on the opposite side of the road. A bright red classic Chevrolet pickup was pulled over without its hazard lights on. There was a woman standing next to the pickup. Suddenly, she kicked one of the tires, before grabbing her foot and nearly falling over as she jumped around.
He quickly turned around and drove up behind the pickup, turning on his hazard lights as he parked his truck. The woman didn’t even notice him as she hopped back and forth, swearing. Annoyance filled him. As a woman alone, she should be aware of her surroundings at all times. What was she thinking?
The urge to scold her was strong, but he held himself in check. This girl wasn’t his. Barren took a quick moment to study her. She definitely looked younger than him. She had her pale blonde hair up in two pigtails with red and white ribbons. She wore a pair of white cut-off shorts, red pantyhose, and sparkly red boots. A cropped white sweater with a red heart stitched on the front completed the outfit.
She was absolutely adorable.
And not dressed for the weather at all. While they had hit spring and the sun was shining, it was only around fifty-eight degrees outside. Not warm enough for tiny shorts.
“Miss? Are you all right?” he asked as he approached her.
She suddenly spun with a cry. He expected her to show fear or worry. To step back, away from him. What he didn’t expect was for her to move toward him, for her to reach out and… hug him? Was she really hugging him? Who was this woman? Was she all right? Maybe she’d hit her head?