Page 6 of Mountain Man Daddy

His black and red checkered coat was no longer soaked in her blood, and the black t-shirt that hugged his muscled chest, shoulders, and biceps was different, so she figured he’d left to change his clothes at some point. Her eyes roamed over his crossed arms and up to his bearded chin, which rested on his chest. His breathing was deep and steady, so she took the opportunity to examine him further.

His toque was off now, and he’d tucked his dark blond hair behind his ears, but several wavy pieces had slipped free and lay against his collarbone. Avery stared, noting his full lips, partially hidden by his unkempt reddish blond facial hair, were parted slightly. She remembered focusing on them and his stormy blue eyes when he spoke sternly to her during her rescue. Her eyes narrowed as she recalled his strict expression when he forced her to help him hold his belt over her leg wound.

She should feel grateful, but she didn’t. The lumberjack had only prolonged her agony. She’d overheard the nurse tell him she was out of medical danger. She’d needed eight stitches in her head and another twelve in her thigh, but once she got her strength back, she’d be fine. Except whenever she woke, they peppered her with questions, mainly focusing on her name. She’d pretend to fall asleep whenever they pestered, but she knew that wouldn’t work for long. She had to escape. If they found out her name and the authorities came asking questions, they’d all be in jeopardy.

Avery’s eyes darted around the room looking for an escape. She wasn’t where they’d originally worked on her. They’d moved her to another small room—one with a proper bed, nightstand, window, and a small bathroom off to the side. Her eyes swung back to the window. It held promise, she decided, but then she glanced back to the man at her side.

Escape was trickier with the lumberjack holding bedside vigil. He woke every time she stirred. She shifted in the bed, and the man’s eyes popped open just as she knew they would. She cocked her brow in annoyance.

“Morning,” she muttered grumpily. When his eyes speared hers, her belly dipped.

“What was that?” he asked. His dark blond brows knitted and a wrinkle creased the spot between his eyes before he scrubbed his hands over his face. She swallowed hard, but the dry patch in her throat made her choke.

“Here.” He sat forward, instantly alert and grabbed the water on her bedside table. His neck cracked as he brushed the straw against her lips. Sleeping in the chair had to be awful. He got the straw in her mouth, and she took a long pull. Why on earth wouldn’t he go home and stay there?

“That a girl,” he crooned. “Drink up.” His chair scraped the floor as he shifted closer, grabbing the bowl off the nightstand. As soon as he took the straw out of her mouth, she clenched her jaw, knowing what he was going to do.

He set the cup back and rolled his shoulders before grabbing the spoon next to it. Avery watched his arms and chest stretch the black t-shirt further. He was handsome but rugged, scruffy, and wild looking—a bit too dangerous to challenge too much.

“Why?” she croaked and then cleared her throat. “Why are you still here?”

His eyes narrowed as he scanned her face.

“Because you asked me not to leave you.”

She blinked. Had she?

“What’s your name?” He cocked his head slightly when she didn’t answer and grabbed her hip as she started rolling away. Her stomach dropped again. “Tell me your name.”

“Tired,” she said. “My name is tired.” And with that, she closed her eyes.

“Sit up and eat.” His impatient tone told her it wasn’t a request and when she opened her eyes, his mouth was a firm line, underscoring the idea. “You’re weak and need to build your strength.”

She sighed forcefully, and his jaw tightened, making her swallow any sass she’d been considering. His finger drummed the bowl, so she shifted up. He nodded his approval and used her pillows to prop her up farther. She noticed she wasn’t as achy as she’d been before.

Frowning, Avery scrunched her nose when he scooped up the pulpy oatmeal from the bowl and aimed the spoon at her mouth.

“I don’t need to be fed.”

“If that were true you’d have eaten on your own the last week.” His stern expression irritated her further.

“I’m more than capable. I’m. Just. Not. Hungry—” He shoved the spoon in her mouth before she could close it over her final word. Then he pointed a long straight finger at her.

“You even think about spitting that out, I swear to you, right here and now I will roll you over and paint your bratty backside red!”

Her brows slammed down hard and she swallowed before sucking in an exaggerated breath, ready to blast him, even though his words made her feel something very different than anger. But when she opened her mouth, he was ready with another spoonful. She caught on and clamped her lips tight.

Her reaction to his threat confused her. It was wrong to hit someone but when he threatened, it made her feel like he cared. She couldn’t remember the last time someone cared, but why the hell should he?

“Little girl, you have approximately three seconds to open that mouth.” A vein in his forehead thickened. He meant business and as ridiculous as his threat was, Avery didn’t think for a second he wouldn’t follow through, especially since the nurse had said she was doing so well.

She crossed her arms and stared hard at the ceiling, but dutifully opened her mouth. Anger over his bossiness, and the warm fluttering over his threat and referral to her as‘little girl’battled within her.

“If I have to feed you all day like I’m your daddy, I will.”

“You may as well be my daddy with the way you treat me.” Her words dripped venom, hiding the confusing twist of desire curling within her. He only smirked. Her cheeks heated and she knew he’d noticed.

“Only since I found out you’ve mended up quite nicely. Now finish this oatmeal, and you won’t discover what Daddy’s hand feels like punishing your pretty little bottom.”

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