Page 258 of Mountain Daddy
I keep her behind me and rub at my chest with my free hand. “Shit. When’d you learn how to punch?”
“I didn’t.” Joe grimaces and shakes out his hand. “What are you made out of? Fucking rock?”
I make my own face as I press my hand over my pec. “You smashed my nipple.”
Joe drops his hands to his sides. “Good.”
Kendra snickers behind me, and I feel her drop her forehead against my back.
I try not to smile.
Joe points at me. “This isn’t funny.”
My nipple throbs.
I bite my cheek as I shake my head. “It’s not funny.”
“That’s my daughter.”
I nod. “I know.”
“And you didn’t tell me.”
I nod again. “I’m sorry.”
His jaw works. “How long—You know what? Don’t answer that.”
Kendra grips the arm I have against her and slides her hand down until our fingers twine together.
This time, when she moves to stand beside me, I don’t stop her. “I’m sorry, Dad. We didn’t mean to… I didn’t know who he was when…”
“Nope. I don’t want to know.” Joe shakes his head as he lifts his hands and rubs his palms against his eyes. “I really don’t want to fucking know.”
Kendra looks up at me.
And I can feel it in her gaze.
I can feel her love.
I can feel her trust.
And I wonder how I ever doubted it.
I wonder how I didn’t see it.
I squeeze her fingers.
She squeezes mine back.
And because I can’t stop myself, I bend down and press a kiss to her forehead.
Joe lets out a loud, annoyed groan.
I don’t bother apologizing for kissing her.
I know I’ll do it again.
Joe props his hands on his hips, looking back and forth between Kendra and me. “Any other life-altering surprises you’d like to share with me?”
