Page 41 of Mountain Man Daddy

She felt lighter than she’d had in years, maybe lighter than she’d ever felt. Her worries were for nothing; he didn’t judge her at all. She was safe with him, not just physically and mentally, but emotionally, too. Her mountain man daddy protected her in every way.

* * *

He held her for a long time after that, telling her silly stories of Rocky and Annie and making her laugh. He wanted her to feel happy before he left her. He wanted to ensure she’d be okay.

“I’m going to go catch us some fish for dinner tonight, and then I’m going to head into town. I think the police station is the way to go. I’ll call some of my contacts and get this straightened out.” He sat up on the edge of the bed.

She clutched his forearm. “I’m scared. What if they take me away? What if they don’t listen to you and hand me over to that crooked cop?”

He paused and turned back to her. “You’re going to have to trust me, baby. Can you do that?”

Her teeth chattered uncontrollably, but she nodded, and he smiled at her, leaned back to kiss her.

“Will you tell me about your job before you go?”

His throat worked as he considered her question. His job, it seemed, wasn’t any easier to discuss than his wife and Lydia.

“I was an RCMP staff sergeant.” He shuffled back and sat against the headboard, pulling her with him. “I was the team commander in several manhunts, but my last was the search for Canada’s most notorious serial killer to date.” Mike leaned down and kissed her head. “See, baby, I’m more than capable of hunting killers.”

“Did you catch him?”

“No.” He shut his eyes and steadied his breathing. It was a question that stung. How could he prove he could keep her safe when he’d failed so many others? Prescott was the one who got away, but he was also the worst of them all. “He was still at large when I retired.”

“Is he still out there?”

“Honestly, Avery,” he sighed. “I don’t know.”

“You didn’t keep track?” she asked, shifting up onto her elbows.

“No,” he said. “I was a little busy grieving for my wife.” And this time his words were unintentionally sharp. His heart sank as she pulled away.

“I’m sorry.” She swallowed hard and he nodded, but his mood remained stony. “Daddy?” she asked softly, grabbing his bicep as he moved away from her. “What about all the people I hurt?” He sat on the edge of the bed, his back to her as he pulled on his socks.

“When this is all over, baby, we’ll mail them every cent plus interest.” He stood and grabbed his pants.

“And the Jeep?” She watched as he pulled on his jeans.

“The book value plus a few extra thousand for the trouble.” He started threading his belt through the loops.

She remained silent a moment, watching him. He turned, his jeans still open and the belt hanging loose with his hands poised on it, knowing she was struggling and feeling guilty for being sharp with her. “Not good enough?”

“I want to write them letters, explaining.” She hugged his pillow to her chest. “I need them to know I’m not a bad person.”

“You’re not bad, honey.” He sat, leaned back, and tucked her blonde hair behind her ear. “You know that, right?” She shook her head, and he pressed his lips together.

“I feel like one.”

“You would never have made it if you hadn’t done what you did. You’re not a bad person—not even close.”

She breathed in, and he could tell she was holding her tears at bay, but also holding her unspoken words, too.I’ll spend the rest of my life proving it to you if you’ll let me.

He rose from the bed and finished dressing. He watched her, knowing he wasn’t the only one with a heavy heart. She was scared, and it was taking everything for her to trust him. He wouldn’t let her down.

* * *

She felt a tug in her belly for him after he left. She was anxious, and though she knew he needed to hunt and fish, she wanted him with her. Now that she had given him her trust and submission, she found that she instinctively wanted to turn to him for protection and reassurance. It irritated her slightly as she wandered about the cabin, putting away the laundry she’d washed the day before in between their lovemaking. So much had changed so quickly. He’d gotten into her head, and he’d stirred a lust in her that she had never felt before and now she was practically insatiable, even in times like these when there was discord in her heart and mind.

As her fears battled with her desires, she bent to put some cleaning rags beneath the sink. The move made her feel a stretch and ache in her muscles. Her thighs, core, and bottom remembered both her daddy’s loving and his displeasure.

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