Page 35 of Scarlett's Mountain Man
My eyebrows pinch together. Is he not mad at me?
“I’m not mad,” he quietly tells me. “I’m not mad at all.”
“Did I say that out loud?” I ask.
He nods. “You did, and that’s okay. I’m glad you did. I’m not mad at you at all, understand?”
I nod, too, trying my hardest to believe him.
“I know it might take some time for you to believe that I’m not going to get angry at you for every little thing you do, but that’s okay. I’ll happily remind you.” He kisses my forehead. “We’re in this together. I’m not leaving you.”
He’s not leaving me. I don’t know why I needed to hear that, but I did. The relief that flooded over me was huge.
“Such a good girl,” he whispers. “It’s okay to feel things. I know you’ve been through a lot. I’m here if you ever want to talk.”
I smile my agreement and he smiles.
“So pretty. So beautiful.” He cups my face.
“I’m utterly in love with you,” he whispers. “With you and Juniper.”
“I love you, too,” I reply immediately, wanting him to know I truly mean it.
“Now, are you ready for ice cream?”
“Can Iget two scoops of ice cream?”
He chuckles. “You can get three or four if you want,” he says as he shuts my door.
I can get three or four?A smile spreads across my face as Daddy climbs into the car.
He takes my hand. “You can’t have five or six. I’m going to have to limit you for today. Four is the max.”
“I totally wanted seven, though.” I giggle.
He kisses the back of my hand. “Not happening, Little One.”
We’re sittingin the corner of the ice cream shop so Daddy can see out. I didn’t realize why until I asked, because there were perfectly good spots in the front.
Daddy told me he wanted both of us absolutely safe, and the only way he could do that was if we sat in the corner so he could see whoever walks through the door.
That made my heart melt and speed up. He is always thinking about our safety. He is always looking out for us.
“We should come in here once a week and sit in this exact spot so people know it’s ours. Then one day, I will have finger fuck you while we eat our ice cream,” Daddy says just as I take a bite of my ice cream.
My eyes go wide as I choke, my spoon hitting the table in front of us. Coughing, I try to get everything up.
“Shit.” He turns, patting my back. “You’re okay. Let a little air out. Such a good girl. You’re okay.”
I follow everything Daddy says, and before I know it, I’ve stopped coughing and can breathe again. Tears prickle in my eyes, but I quickly blink them away.
“That was scary,” I whisper, turning to Daddy.
That’s when I realize everyone is looking at us.
“Is she okay?” one of the servers calls out.
My face heats up, and I bury it in Daddy’s chest. His arms wrap around me protectively.
