Page 18 of Daddy's Heart

“Come on. Let’s get you warm.”

I lead her to the couch and wrap her in about ten blankets then step over to stoke the fire. Outside, the storm whips up a frenzy matching the one she’s whipping up down in my crotch. Inside, she’s a soft bundle of limbs and wool, curled into my couch like she belongs there.

“Better?” I ask.

She nods, peeking out from under the blankets. “Thank you.”

Another solid clap of thunder cracks overhead, and she flinches again. This time, I don’t wait. I lower onto the couch next to her, tugging her into my chest, looping an arm across her middle, the other across her chest.

“I’ve got you,” I breathe with my lips near her ear. “You’re safe with Daddy.”

She sighs and sinks into me and the relief I feel in her body gives me a satisfaction I haven’t felt in so long.

When’s the last time I wanted to do this? Just sit here and let a woman feel safe just by being held, breathing the same air.

Never, if I’m being honest.

There’ve been women, yeah. Not nearly as many as town gossip would like to think. I’m known as the player of the Boone brothers and I never fought the title. I didn’t really earn it either, but one thing you learn growing up in small towns, people talk shit. Mostly made-up shit just to pass the time.

Wildfire is no different.

“Colt?” Her voice is barely there.

“Yeah, baby girl?”

“What did you mean when you said I’m safe with Daddy?”

I go still.

Because answering means trying to figure it out for myself.

“It means I take care of everything,” I push my mouth against her damp hair. “You don’t have to worry about a damn thing. You get to be soft. You get to rest. Chase your dreams. Have fun. Know that someone always, fucking always has your back. And I’ll protect you from everything. Even yourself, if I have to.”

She’s quiet for a beat.

“That’s... a lot.”

“That’s nothing, baby girl.” I cup her face gently, brushing my thumb across her cheek. “That’s just the beginning. You’re a fucking firecracker, babe, don’t get me wrong, I want to do all those things for you, but I also want to do other things. Pure filth and fucking fantasy, but I want to start here. Where we are. I want you to trust me. I don’t remember ever wanting that before.”

Her breath stutters. She twists her body, turning her face my way, plump pink lips falling apart.

“Colt...”

Jesus, the way she says my name like she needs something from me is all I need to break this stupid shackle I’ve been keeping around myself for so fucking long.

I manhandle her soft body until she’s turned my way.

I kiss her.

It’s lips on lips first. Soft and hard. Patient but urgent.

I’m giving her time to run. But she doesn’t. She leans into me like she’s been waiting, and the second her mouth opens, inviting me in, I lose any hope of pretending I can let her go.

Jesus, the sound she makes as my tongue slides between her lips rattles me down to the core. I deepen the kiss,tongues working in slow rhythm, swallowing every soft gasp and whimper.

She tastes like coffee and sweetness and everything I've ever wanted.

When we break apart, we're both breathing hard. Her cheeks are flushed, lips glistening and plump, and she's looking at me like I hung the fucking moon.

---