Page 22 of Mountain Man Daddy

“Lucky,” he said and then bit his lip as he looked her up and down. “You’re drowning in those!”

“I know.” She got onto her knees, put a hand on her hip, and made a model pose. The neck was so low it barely covered her breasts to the nipples. “Aren’t I sexy?”

“Get into bed,” he groused, and when she turned to crawl under the covers, he swatted her backside where the opening drooped and bared her to him.

“Ow!” She covered her bottom and shot him a pouty look before she shimmied into the bed. It made his heart pound. She was the kind of girl he’d dreamed of, so playful, cute, and flirty.

“That’s my good little girl.” He leaned down and kissed her forehead.

She was frowning when he pulled back.

“What’s wrong?” He pulled the blankets up under her chin.

“Nothing.” She shrugged, and he gathered a breath.

“Spill.” His brow arched when she huffed.

“I like when you call me little girl, but it reminds me of another nickname I had.”

He sat his hip on the bed and pushed her hair back off her forehead.

“It upsets you to think of it.” It wasn’t a question, but she nodded anyway. “What was it?” he asked, searching her eyes.

“Mouse.” He half smiled at her. “Well, you’re cute like a mouse, and I can easily see the mischief you could cause when no one was looking.” He tapped her nose. “Why were you called that?”

“I used to think it was because I was small and cute, but now I believe it was more about being gullible and easily led into a trap.”

“A trap?”

“Never mind.” She rolled over, and he heard her sniff. He moved his hand to touch her but stopped himself. He shouldn’t. Touching her would only make him want to curl up behind her and stay the night with her.

He was enjoying her company and the fun they were having, but the reality was she was trouble, and he was, too. There was a reason he’d segregated himself out here in the wilderness. He had nothing to give anymore. His life was here, alone.

Another sniff and his heart twisted in his chest. He cursed wordlessly.

Five minutes, he told himself, and he climbed into the bed and held her until she fell asleep.

* * *

Avery’s eyes popped open and darted around the room. A noise had startled her. What was it? She strained to hear above her loud breathing and pounding heart. Had they found her? The dark was so inky, it looked solid, so she reached out to the nothingness. No street lights or light pollution in the mountain wilderness to break the dark of night, but then the moon, half full, came out from behind a cloud and her eyes adjusted. She froze. Two silhouettes entered the room. Her breath stuck as she tried to scream.

They’d found her. They were here to kill her.

Hands grabbed her, pressing her against the mattress. She struggled and fought, kicking out and slamming her fists and connecting only some of the time with flesh, but the man who was grabbing her was too strong. Her wrists were encircled in a firm grip and pressed hard against the headboard. The sheets weren’t helping, her legs tangled in them even before the man straddled her hips. She was trapped.

“There’s my sweet piece of ass,” the voice—Eddie’s voice—said in a cruel low whisper and her stomach soured. “Oh, I’ve been searching so hard for you.” He shoved his hard cock against her hip and laughed. Avery tried to scream again, but like before nothing came. “Where’s the money, bitch?”

Finally, a strangled cry burst from her mouth and her limbs were free and swinging, at first connecting with nothing and then with flesh again. Groans and grunts were music to her ears as her target was struck repeatedly, and she escaped the bed to stand, ready to fight for her life.

“You killed Alex, but you won’t kill me,” she gasped as the lamp clicked on. The sentence, “You’ll never get the money,” died on her lips. Her mountain man daddy, concern marring his handsome features, stood in front of her. His hair was unkempt and loose around his shadowed face, and his eyes were wild. His breath came fast and hard, but she could see he was ready—ready for anything—ready to rescue her once again.

“Mike?” She blinked at him and felt relief shiver through her. He pushed her hair back from her face and cupped her cheeks, his eyes holding hers for a few seconds before she searched the room fearfully for Moe and Eddie. It had felt so real.

“It was just a dream, baby girl. Just a dream.” His hand smoothed her face. She clutched his biceps and licked her lips, looking past him at the doorway, now that she knew the bedroom was empty.

“What were you dreaming?” His eyes pinned hers when she looked back to him. Avery swallowed hard. Fear zipped through her—this time it was fear of losing the only man who had ever made her feel safe.

“I-I don’t remember,” she lied. His brow cocked, and he pressed his lips together but didn’t speak. He pulled her against him, kissing the top of her head and rubbing her back.

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