Page 44 of Mountain Man Daddy

“Me too.” She snuggled deeper into his warm chest, finally relaxing for the first time since the cop had been there. “I had been thinking about you all morning and couldn’t wait for you to get back, only to have this cop show up and then cause this fight.”

“You were thinking about me all morning, huh?” He pulled her back from his body so he could see her face. “What kind of thinking?” His beard twitched as he smiled. She cocked her head, giving him a dirty look. “Stop enjoying this. I’ve been traumatized.” He chuckled at her statement and tugged on a ropey curl. “I am enjoying this, honey. I had no idea how lonely I was before you crashed into my mountain, and knowing you were thinking about me makes my heart soar.”

“It does?” She pulled back and eyed him, gauging his seriousness. There was something behind the goofy sweetness, something like worry, but she ignored it. Of course, he’d be worried.

“Yes.”

“Well, I was excited for you to get home.” She sniffed a little indignantly. “I made bread for you.”

A slow smile grew on his face, and his eyes twinkled.

“I’m a lucky man.” He leaned down and kissed her lips. “Do you know I’ve been eating bread as hard as rocks for years?”

She laughed. “I’m glad you admit it! It tastes like rocks, too.” She dodged the swat he aimed at her butt. “Mine is fantastic, and it’s ready for the oven.”

“Then how about we bake it while I fry up the fish, and then when our bellies are full, you can come sit on my lap in front of the fire, and we’ll talk about our new plan.”

She practically melted at his words. She had never known this kind of care, and it made her want to bawl with happiness, throw her arms around his neck, and kiss him all over. How had she gotten so lucky?

“That moose was the best thing that ever happened to me, Mike Hunter.”

“Don’t be so sure. I might decide to finish that spanking I started earlier.” He cocked a brow at her playfully.

“Might? And for what reason?”

“Might, yes. Depends on how full I feel and if you lied about that bread.”

“Well, I hope to God you shower first. Did you roll in the fish after you caught them?”

* * *

When she had washed up dishes and was putting them away, he sat on the sofa, fresh from the shower. His eyes followed her, and she felt heat spread wherever they settled.

“Come have a seat right here, little girl.” He patted his thighs, and she bit her lip shyly as she looked at his large, cozy lap. It called to her. But it was silly for an adult woman to climb into a man’s lap, wasn’t it?

“I think I’m okay right here,” she said, still looking longingly at it.

“Suit yourself.” He leaned back, putting his arm over the back of the couch. “It’s easier for me to pull you over it if you’re not on it anyway.”

“Stop teasing me. I’m actually thinking I might prefer a spanking to our discussion. At least the spanking would quiet my mind and fears.” He assessed her then, searching her eyes for truth. “Quit stalling, little girl.” His hands slapped together, startling her. “Let’s talk, and after, if you still need a spanking, I’ll give you one.” She swallowed hard, hearing the desire in his voice and feeling her body come alive instantly for him. She moved closer, setting the dish towel down on the table as she passed it to go to him.

“Come on,” he encouraged, reaching out to take her hand. “You’re okay. Completely safe.” She climbed onto his lap, and he pulled her close. “See? Now you’re just where I want you. Safe in Daddy’s lap.”

“No one has ever treated me like you, M…” He stopped her word with a firm look. “Daddy.” His reply was a pat on her hip. “I’ve never had this…” She gathered a breath, her eyes stinging. “This kind of care.” His big hand found her head and brought it to his shoulder.

“Well, get used to it, baby. It’s not stopping anytime soon.”

She saw that he meant it, but she couldn’t shake the underlying fear that one day, he’d come to the same conclusion as her grandparents and Alex. Her brain knew Mike was right about them—they were the useless ones, but her scarred heart was harder to convince. And then there was the other way things could end.Eddie and Moe.

She shivered, looking wide-eyed at her mountain man daddy. “Unless they get you or me.”

“No one’s getting anyone. Here’s what we’re going to do. We’re going to snuggle and then we’re going to take the ATV to Annie’s. She’s got a phone. I’m going to call that cop Riley and ask him to come back here. You can stay at Annie’s until I can convince him to help us.”

“Okay.” She climbed off his lap and put another log in the stove. She needed to move, to do something productive, and when she came back, he held his arms open for her. Again, she noticed some unease on his face. Something was bothering him. She climbed into his embrace and leaned back to watch the fire flicker through the little window in the woodstove. She couldn’t help but fidget though. What if Riley wouldn’t assist them? What if he arrested her instead? She started gnawing on her thumbnail.

“Honey?” He looked down, removing her hand from her mouth and cupping her chin in his palm. He tilted her head so she looked at him. “Get up.” She wrinkled her brow a moment, but he just helped her. He shifted to the middle of the sofa and opened his legs, guiding her between them. He reached forward and unbuttoned her jeans. Lowering them and her panties, he leaned back to pat his thigh. Tears slid down her cheeks. Avery knew she needed this more than she wanted it, so she was nervous, but she went over his knee. He rubbed her cheeks, smoothing them with his warm palm.

“Let’s help you get all the nastiness out.” His palm cracked down across both her cheeks and she jolted a little. She hadn’t been expecting the sting.

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