Page 33 of Mountain Man Daddy

“Suck, baby. Taste yourself.” When she obeyed without hesitation and then fell over the edge with a shriek of pleasure muffled only by his fingers, he let go and joined her in their call of release.

Chapter Ten

Avery, nowonthe couch instead of over the back of it, lazed languidly with her hands untied, watching Mike scramble eggs. He was naked, as was she, and watching his every muscle move beneath his tanned skin made her heart beat faster. How she could feel the building of fresh arousal so soon after his thorough loving, she didn’t know, but there was no denying the moist heat that pulsed between her legs.

“I thought you didn’t eat lunch, and how’d you get the eggs, Mountain Man Daddy?”

“It’s two in the afternoon, so I’m not sure we can call this lunch, but I think we need some sustenance after that, don’t you?”

“Agreed.” Her smile grew slowly at the thought of their morning and afternoon together. “And the eggs?”

“Annie. I share my game and help her out with repairs, and she gives me eggs, milk, butter, and fruit. She’s a good trading partner.” He shot her a tight frown over his shoulder. “Mountain Man Daddy?”

Avery smirked. “My mountain man daddy.” Her eyes narrowed. “And I saw you with her. She’s more than a trading partner. I think with all your blustering about not liking people and being a recluse, you have a soft spot for Annie.” His brow quirked, but he said nothing about the name or his friendship with Annie.

“She’s old as dirt but sweet, funny, and she makes a hell of a pie. Has apple, plum, and cherry trees, a bunch of chickens, sheep, and three cows.” He dumped the eggs on two plates and grabbed forks from the drawer. “You didn’t wonder where the milk and butter came from?”

She shrugged and took the plate as he brought it to her. He scooped up her legs and sat, setting them on his lap.

“You could have gone to the store. And nice avoidance.”

“The store is pretty far on an ATV in the cold.” He speared a chunk of egg and popped it in his mouth. “I watch out for her. We’ll be going to see her later.” He looked at her, and her fork stalled just in front of her mouth.

“Nuh-uh.” She dropped the fork and shook her head. “Mike, I can’t risk it.”

“First, you’ll do as you’re told, little girl,” he stated tersely. “And second, you need those stitches out.” He pointed at her leg. “They aren’t the dissolving kind.”

Avery’s shoulders slumped and she set her plate on the coffee table so she could hug herself.

“She’s trustworthy. She won’t tell anyone about you.”

“I’m scared.” It was a quiet statement, and his eyes immediately softened.

“She’s a hermit just like me. She hasn’t left that farm or the surrounding area in years. Her daughter does all her shopping and she hasn’t seen a doctor since her husband died. We’re all out here hiding from something, Avery. Not just you.” He leaned forward and grabbed her plate, setting his own down.

“Come on, you need food. I worked you pretty hard.” He assessed her. “Maybe too hard.” He forked some eggs and brought them to her mouth. She pressed her lips tightly. “Avery,” he warned through his teeth. She sighed and opened her mouth, but rolled her eyes.

“I enjoy taking care of you, but you try my patience.” He squeezed her thigh. “You’re learning though.” He smiled, and it was the first time the crinkles around his eyes tightened completely. “I’d like it if you got to know Annie and she got to know you, too.”

“Mike.” She growled at his narrowed eyes and firm mouth. “Daddy,”she ground out, before looking away and back with a more respectful expression. “Daddy, I know you want this, but I don’t want to put her in danger, too.”

“Do you know why she calls me Yukon Jack?”

“I assumed it was your name at first until you corrected me. But maybe because you look like you stepped out of the Yukon after years and yearsand yearsof searching for gold.”

“No, smartass.” He smoothed his beard appreciatively. “And watch it, little girl. A man and his beard have a special bond.” He chuckled when she rolled her eyes again.

“When Annie and I met for the first time, I had a bottle of Yukon Jack in my fist and was seeing double.” He took a moment to stab several more pieces of egg onto her fork before looking up.

“It was my first night in the mountains.” He swallowed hard and put the fork in her mouth.

“There was nothing here but a tent, a fire, and a broken man. She came up to investigate. Annie’s bossier than I am.”

She snorted in disbelief and his brow lifted as he reached over and tugged one of her curls. He twirled it around his finger and pulled her close. “Behave, little girl.”

“Bossier than you, right,” she said, encouraging him to continue. He brushed his lips softly across hers before releasing her and continuing.

“Yes, bossy ol’ bat.” He shook his head, but the light in his eyes said he adored the old woman. “She took me back to her place, fed me and sobered me up, and hasn’t let me slip away like that again.”

---