by Kara Kelley
“You come back any time he gets too grumpy unless he’s fixing to tan your backside, then stay away. If you come here I’ll only offer to help.” Annie narrowed her eyes at Mike. “And you better be sweet to her too, Yukon. I adore this girl.”
Avery didn’t fall asleep on the way back, but she could have. Rocky met them at the bottom of the mountain and ran back with them half the way before he became distracted by something and bolted off after it.
“Come on, little girl, let’s get you tucked in. Tomorrow’s a big day.” He wrapped his big arms around her and helped her off the ATV. The ground was mucky and slippery. The snow had melted faster than she’d expected.
“A big day?” she asked, looking up at him. He put his arm around her shoulders and pulled her close.
“We’re going to figure out what’s going on and straighten it out.” He helped her out of her coat and hung it on the peg and did the same with his own. He bent to his knee and helped her get her muddy boots off. He looked up at her as he untied his boot.
“Off you go now. Get ready for bed.”
“Will you stay with me again, Daddy?”
“There’s nowhere else I’d rather be.”
* * *
The next morning, she woke to an empty bed. She could hear Mike outside, chopping and piling logs. She stretched, testing her body, listening to the sound of him working. It felt good. Although she still ached in places she hadn’t before, most of the pain from the accident was gone. The places where Annie removed her stitches itched, as she said they would, but that was easily ignored too.
Her mind was on what the day would bring. How did Mike plan to get her out of the mess? Nervousness slithered in her belly. He was retired RCMP and probably had friends, but could it all go wrong? Could she end up in jail? Or worse, in the hands of her husband’s killers? Panic started to build, so she rose from the bed. She had to trust Mike. That was all she could do. Running for the rest of her life wasn’t an option.
Avery showered, dressed, and made the bed. Feeling antsy still, she dusted, swept the cabin, and cleaned the bathroom. When she finished, and saw nothing left to do, she pulled down the oats to start breakfast. As soon as her hands were still, she started gnawing on her nails.
Oatmeal bubbled in the pot on the stove, and she found some apples and sunflower seeds for the top. She watched Mike and Rocky outside in the sunshine through the kitchen window. A calm seeped in that hadn’t been abated by the busywork, and she set down the knife to watch.
They were quite the pair. Each doing their own thing but always checking on the other. The steady chop-crack and Mike’s form also soothed her anxiousness. He was a man who did what had to be done without question, or resistance, even if that meant protecting her.
Mike wore only a t-shirt. His sweatshirt and coat lay across a log, and when he stopped to push his dirty blond waves behind his ears, the hair at his temple was damp. She made a pot of coffee, fighting the heat that blossomed inside her. What if this was their last day together? What if he straightened everything out and said she could leave? Melancholy mingled with her desire for the man she called Daddy—her mountain man daddy.
The storm was gone and her body pretty much healed, so what would happen if there was no one to run from? Would he make her leave after everything they’d been through, or did he want more? She was falling for him and the thought of things ending made her anxious. After everything she’d been through, her uncertain future with Daddy terrified her. She wanted to let go, be entirely his, and she wanted to feel his hands on her again—to make love. The coffee was done, and she stopped her obsessing to make him a cup. Hot and black. No fuss like the rest of his life. And here she was nothing but a fuss.
The air was sweet and moist, and the sun shone down and heated her skin. The birds sang, and Rocky chased something off in the distance again—this time with less purpose. Tears sat just below the surface as she watched Daddy swinging his ax. He banged it into the block when he saw her coming with the mug, a smile hiding in his beard.
She could see his smile in the twinkle and spray of laugh lines around his eyes. He took the steaming cup from her hands and kissed her cheek. It was a simple gesture that both warmed and chilled her. The future was opaque, and yet her feelings for him had never been clearer.
“Mm, I could get used to this treatment, you know.” He winked at her, making her tummy both flutter and sink. It hit on her exact insecurities. Would he want her to leave after everything was over? Wasn’t that what she’d wanted—to leave, head further east, and see the places she’d always wanted to?
“I guess you could.” She looked around. “I still think it’s lonely out here. I like a little solitude, but this is a bit more than I’m used to. I don’t know how you stand it.” She grimaced. “And that shower…” Looking up at the mountains around her, she breathed in deep. “It’s is beautiful though. Nothing compares to the stunning beauty.”
“I know something that compares.” While her tone had been forlorn, his was lighthearted. She probably shouldn’t have read into it, but she did. Was he happy their time together was coming to an end? If only she had the guts to come out and ask.
She smiled but looked away before he read her mood. She looked up at a rocky outcropping near the top of Mike’s mountain. “You see that rocky part up there?” She pointed, and he lowered himself to her height and looked over her shoulder.
“Yeah, I see it. It looks like an old man with a big nose.” He chuckled.
“With tufts of hair sticking out on the sides,” she added quietly, turning to look at him. “I swear it looks just like this guy that used to visit my grandparents. He wasn’t related, but I called him Uncle Bernie anyway. He used to watch cartoons with me sometimes. My grandparents didn’t let me watch TV, but when Uncle Bernie was there, I was allowed.” She smiled. “I don’t have a lot of good childhood memories, but Uncle Bernie was one of them.” She turned to him completely. “I don’t have a lot of good memories period, but I want you to know, you and my time here are at the top of that list.”
“You deserved better than the occasional Uncle Bernie, baby.” He set his mug down and cupped her face. “You deserved to be treated like the precious little girl you were.” His hands went down her body until they found her bottom where he pulled her against him tightly. “You’re still a precious little girl to me.” He dipped down to kiss her mouth gently and then whispered against her lips. “I like the solitude of this place as much as its beauty. There are many fantastic things about living in a place where you never see anyone. I think it’s time I show you.” She narrowed her eyes at him playfully, and he pulled back to assess her.
“Like going commando in the summer?” she asked, remembering his comments about not wearing the boxers in his nightstand drawer.
“Mhmm, but not just that, honey.” She giggled as he unzipped the top part of the jacket she wore and he pulled it down, so it locked her arms to her sides. “It’s too warm for a coat today, don’tcha think? It’s fifteen degrees.” He caught her retort with his mouth and kissed it away. She moaned into his mouth instead, feeling her knees weaken.
“Well, I’m not cold anymore, but what’s fifteen in Fahrenheit?” she whispered when he released her mouth.
“Where are you from?” His brows drew together.
“Here in Canada initially, but I’ve lived in Iowa since I was almost five.”
His brow raised in surprise, and then he looked up. “Fifty-nine Fahrenheit. Things change fast around here. I think that storm was the last of winter though.”
“Well then, I’m not entirely warm either. Maybe there’s a bit of winter left.” Her brows rose and dipped suggestively, and his lips spread into a half smile that made her heart somersault.
“Let me fix that then, little girl.” She was wearing one of his button-down shirts underneath his coat, and he began undoing those buttons until he had proper access to her neck and cleavage.
She wiggled as he dipped to tas
te her collarbone and squirmed in an unsuccessful attempt to get his coat to slide down and free her arms.
“Nuh-uh, honey.” He looked up, heavy-lidded.
“No fair! I’m trapped!”
“Yes, you are. And that, young lady, is exactly how I want you.” He went back for her neck, and she let him, without a struggle this time. Her eyes flitted closed, and she melted against his hot mouth. Suddenly the sensations were gone, and he bent, putting his shoulder against her abdomen, and flipped her upside down across his back. She squealed in shock and the fear of being lifted while her arms were trapped.
“Hey! Where are you taking me, you big caveman?” She screeched when he swatted her bottom but then relaxed, trusting he wouldn’t let her fall.
He carried her into the woodshed where he kept all his tools, and she instantly noticed a long piece of thick leather hanging over his sawhorse.
“Daddy?”
“Yes, little girl?”
“Are you fixing a belt, or did we just walk by a strap hanging over your sawhorse?”
“Why yes, we did. It’s a nice long thick piece, isn’t it? You’re quite the observant young lady. It’ll be hanging on the wall soon. Along with some other stuff I’m working on.” Her stomach dipped, but not with worry or fear. She felt more excited and comforted than afraid. If he was making things to spank her with, maybe he didn’t intend to be rid of her just yet. He rubbed her bottom, massaging her cheeks. “But don’t worry, that’s not why we’re in here right now. I’m looking for some rope.”
“Rope?” She swallowed hard. “Why do we need rope?”
“Never you mind, nosy girl.” He gave her seat a playful swat.
“Ow! Daddy, I’m still sore from yesterday!” she lied.
“As you should be! Now leave the man’s work to me. Keep poking into my business and we’ll be over there with you leaning across that sawhorse, got me?”
“Daddy, no!” She giggled at his playfulness.
“Oh, it is not a giggling matter, honey. Never giggle about that strap. It’ll burn your pretty little behind way more than that belt I used yesterday. It’s much thicker and meaner.” They stopped moving as he grunted in satisfaction. “There it is!” He reached forward, and she squealed, fearful of falling.
“I gotcha, honey.” He held her tighter, and she relaxed as he straightened. He carried her out of the shed but paused on the way so she could get a close-up look at the crudely formed paddle on the table saw. He chuckled at her gasp and carried her out.
He took her around the side of the cabin to a deciduous tree, where he set her on her feet and steadied her, pushing her back to lean against it. He dropped the rope on the ground and grabbed her by the shoulders, kissing her quick.
“I thought we had stuff to do today.”
“Seems it’s Sunday. Library’s not open, and that’s where I’d planned on starting.” He put a finger to her lips before she could speak.
“Now I’m going to take some of this cumbersome clothing off you, but don’t you dare run, got me? I don’t want to have to chase you down and spank your fanny.” His finger left her mouth, and his hands went to her shirt collar.
“My fanny?” Her brows rose. “What are you, ninety?” He shook his head, looking sympathetic before he pulled her forward, hooked her beneath his arm and swatted her bottom with zest before releasing her and placing her back against the tree.
“Do not vex your captor, little girl, or there’ll be consequences.”
“My captor, huh?” Her eyes became slits. “As your captive, I must obey you?” He smirked, and the facial hair around his mouth twitched. “I can’t tell if you’re being patronizing or not, little girl, so I won’t whip you, but I suggest you don’t test me further. Now be a good girl and do as you’re told.” He licked his finger and held it up. “No wind. Perfect.” Her head cocked to the side, and his eyes widened. “What? I don’t want you to be cold.”
“Cold?” His signature slow smile grew, and her gut swirled in pleasure. He hooked the finger he’d licked into her jeans and yanked her forward a step.
“Don’t you worry, honey. I plan on keeping you good and steamed up.” His low, husky voice was so sexy it caused her skin to erupt in goosebumps. He peeled the coat down her arms until it lay in a heap at their feet.
“Ah, that’s better,” she said, stretching her arms out. “Now I can get in on the fun.” She reached for him, but he gave her an ominous look and shook his head.
“I don’t think so.” He took her wrists and guided her back until she was pressed against the tree. He raised her arms and put them above her head against the bark. “Now you keep ‘em there until I tell you otherwise, understand?” There was a deep rumble in his words and she shivered.
Her eyes narrowed on him, but she kept her hands against the scratchy bark.
“Now don’t be giving me those dirty looks, honey. I promise you’ll be enjoying yourself soon enough. I told you I was going to show you the best part of being up here in the secluded Canadian mountains and I will, but you’ll have to be a good girl and do as I say. Can you do that?” He smiled widely when she nodded.
He released her wrists and went straight for her shirt buttons again, taking his time with each one, grumbling about how inconvenient and cumbersome clothing was.
“If I knew you could sew, I’d tear this open.”
“Oh, I can sew, cook, bake, grow vegetables, and tend to farm animals. I grew up on a farm and had nothing but hand-me-downs until I was eighteen.”
He tore the last few buttons apart with a little growl. With them open, Mike spread her shirt wide so that only her bra covered her front, and he whistled in satisfaction.
“I had no idea you were such an earthy girl. The designer boots and jeans had me thinking otherwise.” He reached inside her shirt to wrap his hands around her waist.
“Now we’re getting somewhere.” He ran a finger down her flat belly, stopping at her jeans button to circle it before heading back up. “You know what I’m extra happy about right now?” he asked, placing his finger between her breasts.
“That the snow’s gone?” She shivered, but it had zero to do with the temperature.
“No, little one. Bras that unfasten at the front.” He paused, tapping his finger to his chin. “And that you can garden. I could use the help. And I’m thinking of getting some chickens too.” He flicked swiftly, and the bra popped open, spilling her breasts out. Instantly, her nipples tightened from both the air and the excitement of being exposed to the world—even if there was no one around for miles. They pebbled tighter when his eyes ignited at the sight of them.
“Look at those sweet buds! They look cold, baby. Are they cold?” His wicked laugh echoed a moment before he lunged for her. Her intake of breath was swift as he sucked her right nipple deep into his mouth. His hand found her left bud, and his thumb and forefinger tweaked it. The delicious, but slightly painful tug of both made her hands clutch the tree trunk. He increased the pressure, plucking and flicking, and her back arched. He released her right nipple long enough to half smile at her and then switched it up. He played until her squirming body was pulsing heat and moisture, and then he lowered completely to his knees. The sight of it made her whimper, and shivers scattered across her skin.
His fingers traced the top of her jeans, and then his tongue did the same. Her nipples were wet and stayed tight from the chill in the air, but she didn’t feel anything but heat and need. He unbuttoned her pants and lowered the zipper so slowly that her hands lowered to help.
“What’s this?” He rose from his knees, giving her a dark look. “Did I give you permission to move your hands, my little captive?” He placed both his hands on her shoulders and pulled her away from the tree. “I’m afraid you just earned yourself some consequences.” He took the front of her shirt and pulled it down, so it hung from her arms. His eyes lingered a moment at her exposed flesh, goosebumps rising. Avery saw heat pulse in them and then he yanked the shirt completely off.
She felt exposed, and the nippy air only increased her excitement. Next, he pulled her bra off, leaving her completely naked from the waist up.
“Exposing me to the elements is my punishment?” she asked, biting her lip, thinking she was glad it wasn’t denial like last time. Mike only smiled. Putting her hands together at her front, he scooped up the rope. She nibbled her lip harder as he began wrapping it around her wrists and then over the long thick branch that jetted out the side. It was a perfect branch for a tire swing, but she was no tire.
The rope wasn’t so tight that it was uncomfortable, but she certainly couldn’t get out of it unless he let her. She was strung up by her wrists, and it made her flush with need. When he was finished securing the rope, he took a few agonizing minutes to kiss her neck, mouth, and breasts again.
“Now, my sweet girl, I suggest you behave yourself for the remainder of our time outside.” He winked. “I think you can see where things are headed, and if you’re naughty…” He paused, with a leer. “Well, I’ll leave that to your imagination. In this position, the options are endless.”
Her head bobbed, but he slid behind her, his hand reaching around to her front and into her opened jeans. He cupped her panty-clad mound, making her incapable of speech. She had no thoughts, and the only thing she heard was the thump of her own heart.
“Oh, it’s hot down here.” She melted against him as his fingers circled and roamed. She squeaked when he removed his hand completely as the absence was torture and reminded her of his denial the day before. She licked her dry lips and closed her eyes, willing his hand back. “Daddy, please.”
He lowered to the ground in front of her again and pressed his mouth against the jeans at the apex of her thighs. He blew heat against her, and she yanked at her binds.
He tugged then, pulling the jeans lower on her hips, so torturously slow that she growled loudly, and pinched her wrists from jerking against her restraints.
“A loud and unruly captive?” he asked, pausing in his removal. “Hmm, whatever can I do? A gag maybe?” She shook her head, keeping her mouth closed until he continued lowering. When he finally got them to her ankles, he gently lifted each foot to remove them until she stood in just her panties, tied to a tree, exposed to the elements, both the hot sun and his touch keeping the chill at bay.
