Page 28 of Scarlett's Mountain Man
“Oh?” He raises an eyebrow, amusement twinkling in his eyes. “Did I stun you into silence?”
“Maybe?” I say more like a question.
He has me all flustered by his words, but at the same time he makes me all warm and fuzzy inside. Am I ever going to find someone like this again? I don’t know if I want to take a chance on finding someone like Thorin.
Someone who cares for me, loves me, spoils me, and wants what is best for me.
Daddy loves Juniper. He hasn’t said those words to either of us, but I can see it in his eyes even though he hasn’t known us for long.
“That’s okay,” he calmly says. “I’ll repeat those words as many times as you want me to. And if it gets too overwhelming, let me know and I’ll taper it down. My actions might show more.” He trails off at the end.
“So patient.” Tears well in my eyes. “I’m sorry. I don’t know why I’m crying. It’s just that my hormones are all out of whack.”
Daddy cups my face and plants a kiss on my lips. “You’re okay. I’m not mad at you or want you to stop. If you want to cry,you can cry and I’ll be there to hold you and catch you. I’ll be there to wipe them away.”
That just makes the tears drip down my face with his sweet words. Daddy wraps his arms around me, pulling my face into his chest.
“I’m sorry,” I sob.
“Shhh, you’re okay. There is no need to be sorry for being upset. I’m here for you,” he whispers into my ear.
I don’t know how long we stay in this position as I cry into his chest. But Daddy holds me, never letting go as he says sweet nothings into my ear.
“You really want us both that much?” I whisper, pulling away from him.
“Yes, Scarlett I do. I want you and Juniper. I want to help her grow up. I want to grow old with you. If you want more kids, I want to fill you with my seed and get you pregnant.” His voice goes husky toward the end.
I whine and push my face back into his chest. “I can’t do anything at the moment.”
His hands run up and down my back. “I know you can’t, and I don’t expect you to even if you could. I just want you to know that I want both of you.”
I relax into his embrace, loving the feeling of his arms wrapped around me. I am never going to get tired of this feeling.
“Can we go for a walk?” I ask.
“I’m not sure you should,” he gently replies. “You are pretty exhausted.”
“But—”
“No buts.”
I sigh and don’t say anything. He has noticed how tired I have been. Maybe it’s because I’ve been waking up several times a night to feed Juniper as well as waking up with nightmares. It hasn’t been restful sleep.
That’s why Daddy has implemented naps. I have to have at least one nap a day, normally when Juniper just goes to sleep after being fed.
“Just a small walk on the wrap-around porch to get some fresh air?” I ask, practically begging him.
I wasn’t going to argue, but I want to go out and walk. I want to feel the breeze on my skin and enjoy the fresh air.
“Will you not complain and take a nap after the walk?” he asks.
“If I can walk on the wrap-around porch, I will gladly take a nap after,” I declare.
“If you are cranky, you’ll have lines and you won’t be able to go out until I see the bags under your eyes stop,” he threatens.
I nod, putting the information of no whining to the front of my mind. Who knows how long something like getting rid of the bags under my eyes will take? I don’t want to chance it.
“Promise,” I say.
