Page 28 of Big Daddy Mountain Man

Okay,she thought.Sawyer is clearly upset. This isn’t good.

Trying to soften the blow, she continued, “The Colliers said I could use whatever I needed to around here. It would be nice to haul things to the trash pickup instead of carrying it all there myself. They gave me permission!”

“It’s not about that,” Sawyer said as he took a step closer. “You could have been hurt! Or even worse. Honey, that truck has been sitting there for who knows how long. It needed to beevaluated before you risked your life getting in it and taking it for a joyride!”

A moment of heavy silence hung over them before he added, “You have to be safe. You are so valuable, Amber. I don’t know what I’d do if you were hurt or…” He let the words trail off, apparently not even wanting to give voice to a worse fate.

Despite the scolding she’d just endured, Amber couldn’t help but smile.

Even though they hadn’t known each other very long, it was evident Sawyer cared about her.

Was that what having a Daddy was like?

Did he have notions of being her Daddy? With each passing second, she sure had notions of being his Little. Yet that old familiar self-doubt crept in. While she always tried to remain positive about every situation, that was difficult when it came to romance. What guy would want her? She was legit one missed paycheck away from being completely destitute. And she had been in that predicament before! Was there a Daddy out there who would want her if they knew she’d spent time on the streets or pulled her meal out of a trashcan?

Take a man like Sawyer. Gosh, he was so handsome and sexy. Strong and confident. He wouldn’t want her when he could have any woman he wanted. He was a Daddy and she was a Little, sure. But that didn’t mean he had notions of them together.

She wasn’t so sure, though, when he spoke again. “I have half a mind to sit down on that porch, take you across my knee, and give you a spanking you’ll never forget, little girl. It would be for your own good.”

Ouch! Amber thought. Just the thought of getting her bottom busted made it sting!

“I’m sorry, Sir,” she said demurely.

He appraised her for a moment, and his gaze felt as if it weighed a ton as it bore into her. Finally, after what seemed likean eternity, he relented with a smile, causing Amber to smile, too.

“Come here,” he commanded as he opened his arms. “Give me a hug.”

She ran into the embrace and wrapped her arms tightly around him. She sighed as her cheek landed upon his hard-packed, muscular chest.

“I know we just met, but I care about you, Amber. I just want to make sure you’re okay by yourself out here.”

“I know, Sir. Thank you.”

He swayed her for a moment before letting go.

“I’ve got a surprise for you,” he continued. “Though I don’t know if you need it after being such a naughty girl.” His boots crunched loudly atop the rocky earth as he walked to his Bronco. He grabbed a sack and held it out for her to see. “Can you promise to behave the rest of the night?”

“Yes, Sir! I promise!” she said, giddy now as excitement swirled in the pit of her stomach.

“Good girl,” he said before walking closer and handing her the sack.

“Whoa! Sir! You didn’t have to?—”

“I know. I wanted to. You’re in Big Cedar now. This gives you some outfits to wear when you play with the other girls. Or when you just want to look cute around your place.” A second passed before he added, “Or my place.”

Okay, he’s flirting, right? she pondered.There seems to be some meaning in his words…

“There’s also a stuffie in there. Just in case you and Honey want to make a new friend.”

Holding the new stuffie—a cute elephant wearing a bib and a sewn-on cloth diaper—she ran to the porch where Honey sat.

“Honey! Look! Meet Jazzie! He’s going to live with us now.”

She giggled as she picked Honey up and hugged both stuffies while spinning a few circles. But she started blushing hard upon noticing the look of affection in Sawyer’s eyes as he watched her.

Maybe it’s not my imagination. There may actually be something there.

Wanting to fill the silence, she said, “Thank you so much, Sir. This is the best gift I’ve ever gotten!”

---