Page 98 of The Runaway and the Rugged
It was the truth. Just as I was growing to love everyone else here.
His face softened.
“I want to tell her,” he announced with a quick change of subject. “I want to tell Grace about us, what do you think?”
My heart thundered.
That was a big, huge one actually and more than anything, I wanted Grace to know that I was falling for her dad.
“Yeah.” I smiled. “Yeah, we should definitely tell her.”
“We tell her, and she won’t let you leave this ranch.” He kneaded my ass as the head of his cock brushed along my outer lips.
“Neither will her daddy, right?”
He growled.
“Fuck no. You’re here to stay, Outlaw.”
I was here to stay.
29
GARTH
After tellin’ Grace the news that Emelia and I were together, I swear I ain’t ever seen my girl so happy before. Her eyes bulged out the sockets of her head and she immediately squealed in joy. Jumpin’ up and down, listing off all the things she and Emelia would do, sometimes throwin’ my name in the mix, causin’ a chuckle to escape.
“And you promise we’ll go get a coffee in the morning?” I was tryin’ to get Grace to lie down. It was late, and it was the first night Emelia was stayin’ over and I wanted her in my bed.
Now.
“Yeah, already told you I would, didn’t I?” I gently nudged her into her bedroom with Emelia softly giggling behind me. She knew why I was so eager to put her to bed, and of course she wasn’t doin’ anything to help me.
“Emelia, make sure Dad keeps his promise, will you?” Grace peered back, her signature pout and puppy dog eyes on full display.
“You know I will, honey.” She flashed her a bright smile, Grace clearly soaking it in. Moments later, Grace flew past me and tossed her arms around Emelia’s waist, huggin’ her as if at any moment she might disappear.
It made my heart gallop watching them collide. I never thought Grace would have this with someone other than her family. All she really, truly wanted was a mother, and I prayed that one day, Emelia would open herself to the idea of bein’ a mother figure to my daughter.
I watched them intently, the sight warmin’ my chest. When Emelia dropped a gentle kiss onto the top of Grace’s head, I knew in that exact moment, without a doubt, that I loved this woman.
“Good night, Grace, I hope you sleep well.” And just when I thought Grace would walk past me and slip into bed, she threw her arms around my waist, pulling me into a tight hug.
“Love you, Dad,” she whispered softly into my chest, reminding me of a young Grace who would hold on to me every night.
“Love you too, bug, always.” I rubbed my palm along the length of her back, and when she finally pulled away, I suddenly wanted to yank her back in for another one.
I think I had forgotten just how complete her hugs made me feel, like I was doin’ something right in life even when I felt like I wasn’t.
Once she was settled in bed, I gently closed her bedroom door and reached for Emelia’s hand. I drew her in tight, sweeping back the wild, copper hair that I dreamed about every night since I met her.
“Ready for bed?” Cradling each side of her face, I pressed a short, delicate kiss onto her nose.
“I’m ready to see what kind of bed you have.” She laughed, the tone all airy and light.
I smirked.
“Only got the best, Outlaw, nothin’ less.”
