Page 2 of Mack Daddy

I walked for what felt like forever but was probably only minutes before I saw the lights of a mechanic shop and decided to give it a try. When I entered, a lovely woman welcomed me before a giant bear of a man came out front, and I nearly wilted with relief.

He was everything I’m not. Big and strong and experienced. When he touched me, I could have cried. When he picked me up, I immediately knew I would always be safe in his arms. It’s why I allowed him to undress me when I’d never let another man or woman touch me before.

I hate being touched. No, I loathe it. Is there a stronger word?

My skin crawls at a touch.

My head buzzes, and my ears ring.

My stomach roils with disgust.

But this minute… With one look into his eyes, I know he’ll be the only person I ever allow to touch me.

“Hey, Mack Daddy, I’ve got that–”

“Silence!” the burly man beneath me whisper-shouts.

Shifting, I glance up to see him looking down at me, worry furrowing his brow. “Mack Daddy?” I’m a little in love with the way Daddy rolls off my tongue. Even more so at the way his eyes darken when I say it.

“Get out, Mikey.” He doesn’t look up at the man as I push off his chest to sit up, my fingers tickling through his thick chest hair. I hear the door close a few seconds later. “How are you feeling?”

Leaning forward, I don’t know what comes over me. “Warmer.” I breathe the word across his full lips. “Thank you, Mack Daddy.” My eyes widen when I feel the tree trunk between my legs thicken and throb against my core. “Oh my.”

“Mack, you don’t just throw the kid out when he’s bringing what you asked for.” A woman’s voice enters the room, and a blush fires up my entire body. “Good, you’re awake. Why don’t you come over here and eat some of this soup.”

“Thank you,” I respond as I climb off Mack’s lap. His fingers are reluctant to release me, but he eventually does.

“What’s your name, dear?” the woman from the front asks as she sets up the soup and what I think is tea on the table in front of a couch. I keep the blanket wrapped around my body as I sit next to her.

“Emma. Emma Williams.” I give her a grateful smile as she hands me the warm take-out cup. Blowing on the steam, I take a slow sip, not wanting to burn my throat.

I feel Mack’s eyes on me as I eat and listen to Amy chatting to me about the weather before asking what I was doing out in it.

“Oh, uhm, well…” My eyes flick up to find Mack leaning forward across his desk, his burly chest on full display, the coarse hair making my fingers ache to sift through it again. I felt so safe in his arms; I want to return there soon.

“Emma?” He coaxes me for an answer.

A shiver works through me, and I’m unsure if it’s from the cold, the pain I left behind, or the heated look in Mack’s eyes when he gets to his feet and rounds his desk. Leaning on the edge, I can tell he wants to come closer but holds himself back, and I don’t like it.

My gaze flicks to Amy, whose eyes dart between us with a faint smile curving her lipstick-stained lips. “I’ve got some paperwork to finish for the evening. Let me know if either of you needs anything, Mack.” She’s gone quietly within seconds after that, leaving the drinks and soup behind for us.

“Are you going to make me leave?” Squaring my shoulders, I try to inject bravery into my stance, but I feel so afraid all the time.

“Why would I do that?” His head cocks to the side, and his eyes narrow slightly as his jaw ticks.

“I ran away.” Saying it out loud makes me feel so small, so young. I don’t want him to see me that way.

“How old are you?” His fists clench as he drops his arms to his sides. The noticeable bulge in his jeans has grown thicker.

“Nineteen.” I drop my head, certain that’s too young for a virile man like Mack.

“Come here, little girl.” I lose my breath at his growly command. My body obeys without permission, and I slowly approach him, stopping when our toes touch. Only a few sparse inches separate us. “Tell me why you think I’d send you away?”

Shrugging, I whisper, “Because you don’t owe me anything.”

Gripping the front of my shirt, Mack drags me forward. “I don’t. Doesn’t mean I don’t want to keep you, though.” Swallowing around the lump in my throat, I lick my lips and nod because I don’t know what to say or do. This is fast. Too fast, maybe.

“Now, tell me why you were out in this storm.” His demand is so forceful that I feel it in my bones. “Who were you running from?”

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