Page 11 of Mountain Man Daddy

“What’s your name, little girl?” His deep voice hummed through her, and her heart flipped. She only shook her head again. He sighed and sat down beside her on the bed.

“Lie down.” It was once again a stern demand rather than a request. His gaze searched hers, but this time it wasn’t as uncomfortable. His stern but concerned blue eyes penetrated hers, and a starburst of thrills shot through her. His plump lips framed by the reddish-blond beard were calling to her, and she wanted to place her hands on his weather-pinked cheeks and draw him closer.

He sighed again and pulled his toque off. His hair hung in dark blond waves to his shoulders. Longish hair had never, ever been sexy to her,but God, this man wore it well. He tucked it behind his ears. She wanted to reach out and touch it. It looked thick and smooth.

“Do you ever do as you’re told?” he asked, sounding more than a little exasperated. She shrugged and gave him a small, flat smile. Obedience and Avery had been synonymous at one time.

“I don’t have patience for people at the best of times, but little girls that drive off the road because they’re speeding and ignoring warning signs, and force me to rescue them not once, but twice—well, I have no patience for them at all. Now, lie down or I’ll introduce my hard hand to your bare bottom.” His forehead creases deepened.

“Okay, Yukon.”

“My name is Mike, Annie calls me Yukon. But while you’re here, you’ll call me Daddy.”

She didn’t respond but leaned slowly back onto his bed. He pressed his lips together, assessing her, and gave a stern nod. Then his brows tightened as he noticed the window.

“Why the hell is the window open?” His eyes pinned her in place, and hers widened.

“Um.”

“Umis not an acceptable answer.”

“I opened it to hear you playing with the bear—Daddy,” she added, hoping to be a little playful, but it seemed to affect her in a way she didn’t expect. Her heart quickened, and her pulse throbbed deeply between her thighs.

“The bear has a name and so do you.” He stood and walked to slam the window shut. “It’s also a lot of work to heat this cabin.” He pointed out the window. “And unless you want to be out there in the cold chopping down trees, you’d better not leave my windows open. Got it?” His deep grouchy voice made her shiver.

“Yes, sir.” It popped out automatically, and his eyes flickered heat, but this time not in anger.

“Good girl.” His expression softened, and her stomach fluttered in pleasure at his praise. He reached for her and she held her breath. He snatched the sock ball out of her hands.

“I like Daddy better,” he said placidly, not looking up from his task. She watched his big hands unroll the gray socks and almost drooled when he touched her. It was only her foot but he wrapped his whole hand around it, and an electric zap shot right up her leg into her core.

Something about his touch made her crazy hot. She ogled him, and his eyes plowed into hers. His mouth curve down in one corner.

“Your feet don’t feel cold to me. Are you lying to me, little girl?” His grip tightened on her foot and she licked her lips.

“T-they are,” she stammered and then cleared her throat. “They’re very cold to me, and since they’re my feet, I’m better equipped to determine that.” His look hardened again, and she swallowed in uncertainty. “This cabin is drafty,” she added in a softer, more respectful tone.

He chuckled then and shook his head. “You sure are pushing your luck, little one. Your mouthy attitude is making my palm itch.”

“Uh, you do like to threaten me, don’t you?”

“This cabin’s sole source of heat is wood, and I made damn sure it was well insulated when I built it. Insulation can’t keep heat in with windows open though, can it?” His mouth hitched up in one corner. “And, little girl, I’m practically a lie detector. You were snooping.”

“I’m not a little girl,” she said, attempting to change the subject. He just slid the socks on her feet and stood to grab the blanket off the bottom of the bed. It was checkered black and red like his coat, and when he pulled it up and tucked it around her, she smelled his heady scent.

“We’ve had this conversation, haven’t we?” he said, putting his big hands on his hips. Avery shrugged, and his jaw twitched. “Until you tell me your name, I’m calling you whatever I want.”

“Amanda,” she blurted.

“Nope.” He once again stared intensely. “Tell me or don’t tell me, but don’t lie to me. Ihatelies,” he said harshly. “Stay in the damn bed. You need anything, ask.” He jabbed his finger down toward the mattress as he spoke. She stared petulantly, and his hard features smoothed.

“I’ll bring you some oatmeal and some tea to warm you up. It’s homemade, but it tastes pretty good.” He turned to walk away, and she watched his wide, thick shoulders. “And missy, I don’t know how old you are, but your decisions as of late tell me you need a lot of minding. Can you guess how I mind pouty little girls?”

She grinned. “By threatening them?”

He snorted. “Guess again.”

“S-spankings?” Her voice was high-pitched as she spoke and he looked over his shoulder sternly at her.

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