Page 17 of Mountain Man Daddy

“Thanks to me.” His gaze held hers and he watched her chest rise and fall a little faster than before. He pretended not to notice. This girl wanted to give up control desperately, and the knowledge did something carnal to him. He’d given up some of the control he loved so much when he’d left society behind. No matter how big and tough you are, on the mountain, there are things you can’t control. It’s always in charge.

“Yes, thanks to you.” She sighed as if this truth was an inconvenience.

“Your insurance is going to skyrocket.”

“You think?” The indifferent look she gave showed she had no intention of reporting the accident, but he already knew that. It only confirmed she’d likely stolen the Jeep.

“Are you married? Have a boyfriend?” His chin jutted toward the chair so she would sit. She only looked at it before her eyes fluttered back to his.

“No.” She didn’t elaborate.

“Sit.” She looked down at the chair seat. “Oh. I’m not sure I should, Daddy.”

“Why’s that?”

“Something tells me the way this conversation is going that I probably shouldn’t.”

His brow furrowed and he uncrossed his arms to lean forward. “And how’s that? Do you think I might spank you for speeding and being reckless?” He chuckled as her cheeks flushed.

“No, I was thinking I might not want to sit if I was facing an interrogation or a lecture. I’d rather go back to bed.” She yawned in exaggeration, patting a hand over her open mouth. His chair scraped back, and her eyes shot to his and widened.

“But I guess if there is a possibility that you’ll spank me again, Daddy, maybe I should protect my butt.” Mike didn’t fail to notice her hesitation.

“Do you think you deserve a spanking?” He leaned his elbows on the table and steepled his fingers. She shrugged and looked back at the seat of her chair, suddenly moving to sit.

“Wait,” he said, letting his hands slap against the table. “You’re right. Don’t bother.” She looked up at him in surprise, her eyes owlish, and her lips parted.

“Answer my question properly.”

She swallowed hard. “What was your question again?” she croaked. She was stalling, maybe weighing the fear of pushing Mike against the sexual desire it brought.

“You know what my question was, young lady. Quit stalling.”

She shrugged and looked away. “If I were some unruly teen who stole a car and went joy riding, maybe. But I’m not.”

“I think you’ve earned one.”

“You do?” Her brows drew together. “Why?”

“It’s rather obvious, isn’t it?”

“No.” Insecurity flickered in her eyes.

“Your life means something. People care about you, including me, and you chose to ignore the warning signs and the rules of the road.”

She drew in a breath and bit her lip. “But how would a spanking help? I was hurt. I already feel the consequences of my actions. I’ll learn from them.”

“Ah, yes, you might, but if you were spanked, then you’d know someone cared and then the burden wouldn’t be solely on you.” He stood and reached across the table to take her hand. “I think you want someone to care about you. You don’t want the entire burden of your life on your shoulders. I believe you want to know when you do something stupid, someone will be there to call you on it.”

Her eyes swam, and she used her free hand to swipe at her nose.

“Right now that someone is me, young lady.”

“That’s just crazy.” She looked at their hands, and his thumb swirling gently on hers.

“Is it?” He turned her hand so he could link their fingers. “I want to spank you because you did something incredibly unsafe and it breaks my heart you care so little for yourself. Do you know you asked me to let you die?” Her eyes didn’t widen in surprise. “I did?”

“Yes, and I think there are a lot of things you don’t remember from the accident, but that isn’t one of them. I’m sure there are people who love you and would be devastated if you died.”

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