by Pepper North
“You okay, baby?” he asked in concern.
“I was so worried! I missed you so much,” she whispered.
“I hate to admit I’m glad to hear that.” Jax moved forward to take her lips again. This time softer, his mouth seduced her with tenderness and emotion. Ember clung to him with one hand as she held on to the picture frame.
“What is this, baby?” Jax asked, shifting her to his side, holding her tight against his body.
“I didn’t have any pictures of you. Hope helped me. She knew I needed to see and talk to you.”
Jax looked at the carefully arranged pictures and embellishment. It was obvious even to a non-crafty person that a lot of work and thought had gone into its creation. “You made this because you missed me?” he asked, searching her face.
Shyly, Ember nodded. “With Hope’s help.”
Jax leaned forward to kiss her lips softly. Then, looking up at Hope, he thanked her. “Hope, I owe you one.”
“I’ll collect for her,” Sam joked, hugging his wife. “It smells amazing in here. Did you make gumbo?”
“I did. There’s a lot left. Jax, can I feed you, too, or would you rather take some home to eat later?” Hope asked with a twinkle in her eye that caused Ember’s cheeks to burn.
“We’re headed home. I will take some of your delicious gumbo. A fool would pass that up,” Jax complimented.
Within minutes after allowing her to say quick goodbyes, Jax swept Ember out to his truck. He carried a container of the spicy dish and the silver picture frame. Once on the road, his large hand cupped one of Ember’s thighs. She held on to his hand, needing to stay in contact.
Pulling into the garage, Jax left the lights on after turning off the vehicle to illuminate the closed space. Scooting his seat back as far as possible, his hand lifted from her knee to stroke down the erection tenting his pants. “I won’t make it inside without having you, Ember. Climb onto my lap, little girl.”
Her gaze fixed on his erection, and Ember licked her lips unconsciously.
“You’re going to kill me, baby. Come here.” Jax leaned over to pluck her from the passenger seat and helped her settle astride his lap. His passion-filled expression captured her attention, and she couldn’t look away. She had caused this reaction. He wanted her!
“This first time is going to be fast. Can you come fast with me?”
Ember nodded and stroked one hand down his rigid shaft. Instantly, he captured her wrists and pulled them behind her body, pressing them to the steering wheel behind her. “Hold on here, baby. Don’t let go.”
“But...”
“No buts. Daddy is in charge.” He held her in place until Ember shifted her hands slightly to grip the leather ring. “Good girl. Don’t let go.”
Jax jerked her T-shirt up to expose the pink, lacy bra she wore. “Damn, Ember. You’re so pretty.” He reached into the cups of her bra and pulled her breasts free from the confinement. Running his rough thumbs over her erect nipples, Jax leaned forward to capture one stiff peak in his mouth. The suction of his mouth pulled strongly against her sensitive flesh as he leaned away from her.
Ember released her hold to cup the back of his head. When he immediately lifted his lips away from her, she looked at him in shock. “Please, Daddy!”
“Where should your hands be, little girl?” he chided her.
“Oh!” Immediately, Ember grabbed the wheel once again.
Once she was back in the correct position, Jax leaned in to treat her other breast to the same torture. Simultaneously, he traced his fingers down her abdomen to unfasten her jeans. Thrusting his hand into her panties, he cupped her heat and squeezed, bringing a moan of desire to her lips.
“We have to get these jeans off you. Shift to the side, baby. You can let go of the steering wheel for a minute.” Quickly, Jax stripped off her jeans and panties. Tossing the jeans on the vacant passenger seat, he lifted her matching pink panties to his nose and inhaled deeply. “What’s my baby doing wearing these big girl panties? Have you forgotten what it’s like to be Little?”
“No, Daddy,” Ember needed to reassure him. “I just dressed like I always do for work.”
“I understand, Ember.” He dropped the panties on her jeans and quickly removed her bra, leaving her nude before him. “Hands behind you now,” he instructed.
Waiting until she was back in position, Jax’s hands swept over her body as if re-familiarizing himself with her curves and angles. “I pictured you just like this in my dreams, baby. You’re so beautiful.”
Ember straightened, proud to show her body off to this man who appreciated her. “Daddy, I dreamed... of you, too. I never changed the sheets, so... they’d smell like you. The scent is fading, but I needed to have you close,” she confessed, her breath catching in her throat as his fingers traced through the sparse hair between her legs before exploring the wet heat he discovered. When he slid two fingers into her tight channel, her eyes closed as she exhaled a delighted moan. “Aaahh!”
“I need to be right here, baby. Lift a bit.” Jax tore his pants open and raising his hips, he pushed his fatigues to mid-thigh.
When she automatically reached forward to caress his fierce erection, Jax’s voice stopped her. “Hands, Ember.” Slowly, she gripped the leather ring once again. Opening her mouth to beg for permission to touch him, his movement distracted her. Jax opened his chest pocket and removed a condom. Without thinking to control herself, Ember rocked forward, stroking her wetness across his shaft. Simultaneously, they both inhaled deeply.
“Now, Ember,” Jax growled as he rolled the condom over his cock. Gripping her hips, he pulled her over his pelvis and fit the head of himself against her. “Now,” he repeated as his hips surged upward.
Ember closed her eyes in ecstasy as he filled her body fully. The stretch of his shaft inside her body added a hint of pain to the pleasure, making her shiver in reaction to his possession. Leaned back slightly, Ember gripped the steering wheel with all her strength. In this position, his cock ground against the front wall of her tight channel. Flares of sensation flamed through her body as he moved against an extremely sensitive spot.
“Yes,” she moaned in delight. While the pleasure building inside her captivated her senses, her mind also focused on her love for Jax. Being possessed by this man surpassed even the building excitement inside her. He was home. He was here. He was safe. With each quick thrust, Jax claimed her as his.
She needed to feel his warmth and skin. “Daddy, please. Let me touch you. I need to know you’re really here.”
“Baby. I’m here. Let go,” he murmured softly, finally giving the permission she craved.
Falling forward toward him, Ember frantically ran her fingers over his chest. “Daddy,” she whispered, feeling tears fill her eyes. She moved her hands under his T-shirt, pushing the fabric up frantically. Ember reassured herself that he was home and whole.
“Baby, it’s okay. We’re together. Just feel.” His fingertips wiped away her tears before he took her mouth in a fiery kiss. His hands glided over her sides. Those wet digits gripped her hips and moved her body. Jax thrust up into her tight passage as he slammed her body down on him. He ground himself against her clitoris before lifting her to repeat the cycle.
Their skin grew slick as the heat built inside the cab. Her fingers slid over his body, tracing every groove and muscled inch. She could feel her climax just out of reach. Her body strained toward it as she moved over his body. Jax’s face was a mask of savage desire and pleasure. As the rich masculine essence of his body tantalized her senses, Ember’s mind exalted at the thought she had inspired this. Never had she felt so desirable and wanted.
“Jax,” she moaned.
“Come now, baby girl. I need to feel your pleasure.” He reached between them and pressed a rough thumb against her clit.
Moving against that last arousing touch, Ember felt her climax explode over her body. Her fingertips dug into Jax’s hard flesh as she clung to him. He was her rock, her s
tability as the emotions buffeted her body. Without thinking or considering what his reaction might be, Ember confessed, “I love you, Jax. I love you, Daddy.”
Jax wrapped his arms around her body, squeezing her against his hard frame. His hips thrust up once more as he roared his pleasure. Wrapped in each other’s arms, they held each other tight. As their breath slowed, Jax ordered, “Tell me again, baby.”
“I love you,” she whispered, hoping with every fiber of her being that he could care deeply for her, too.
“About damn time. I’ve loved you, baby, since the first time I spanked your ass. I’ve been waiting for you to catch up.” His lips captured hers in a sweet kiss that brought tears to her eyes. “I love you, Ember. I promise to tell you I love you often. I don’t want you to ever forget.”
“I won’t,” she promised as happy tears streamed down her cheeks.
His thumbs caressed her face, wiping the tears away. Leaning closer, Jax pressed one more kiss against her trembling mouth. “Let’s go in, baby. I need to refresh my scent on our sheets.”
Chapter Sixteen
Over a late breakfast of scrambled eggs and orange juice, Ember squirmed happily in her highchair. The rustle of the diaper wrapped around her hips was one more bit of proof that Jax loved her. She squeezed her thighs together and winced slightly. Daddy didn’t allow me much sleep overnight, she thought happily.
“Sore, baby?” Jax asked, concerned. “I have an appointment for you tomorrow with Doniphan. We need to have that checkup complete. I want to be inside you without a barrier between your skin and mine.”
Distracted by the picture he created in her mind, Ember didn’t consider the implications of that plan. “You’ll be there with me?” she asked.
“Of course, Doniphan wouldn’t have it any other way. Little girls need their daddies with them.”
“I have to go to work in an hour. The Littles have been taking turns driving me to work. Do you think Cricket will know that you’ll take me this morning?” she asked, worried.
“She’ll know. I should have left the truck here for you to drive. I’m sorry, baby.”
“Oh, I don’t drive. I mean, I can drive a tractor or a golf cart, but I don’t like to drive in the city traffic. Is that bad? I can take the bus, but they seemed to want to help,” Ember worried.
“They are your friends. Would you want to make their lives easier?” Jax asked.
“Well, of course,” she admitted.
“Then I don’t think you need to worry.”
Ember nodded happily. Jax just made everything easier. She wished she could stay home with him today, but she’d scheduled a delivery of gardening equipment for this morning. Jax had shared that he had reports on base to make and training. They’d have the evening and the weekend to catch up.
The idea of a doctor’s appointment scared her, but she wanted to make sure she and Jax could be together without risking a baby. It was too early in their relationship. Condoms could break. More important, Ember didn’t want any barriers between them either.
* * *
Waking up in Jax’s arms, Ember loved their narrow bed that kept him pressed against her. No matter how they went to sleep, she woke up with his powerful body wrapped around her. He seemed to protect her, even in his sleep. She snuggled back against him and exhaled contentment.
“Is that a happy or upset sigh, baby?” Jax whispered into her ear before pressing his lips to her neck.
“Happy. It seems like a fairy tale when you’re home, Daddy.”
“And when I’m gone?”
“I miss you so much,” Ember admitted, turning slightly to meet his gaze. “I shouldn’t miss you so much. We haven’t known each other that long.”
“You better miss me, little girl!” he teased her before beginning to tickle her sides.
“No! No, Daddy. Not the tickle monster!”
“Grrrr! Too late! The tickle monster has been released.”
Ember wiggled and twisted, trying to get away from the delightful torture and ended up stretched over Jax’s body. She froze in place at the feel of his rigid morning erection pressing into her stomach. Jerking her head up to meet his gaze, Ember bit her bottom lip, instantly aroused.
“We have an appointment for you this morning, baby. I’ll make love to you this evening, okay?”
“We could just skip the appointment or reschedule,” she suggested, rubbing herself against his shaft.
“No, baby. Doniphan is waiting for you today. I want to make sure you are healthy.”
“I don’t want to go,” she protested. “Maybe I don’t need to go. I could just call the doctor I saw two years ago, and he’d prescribe some birth control?” she suggested. “We could wait until Monday and I could call.”
“You haven’t been to the doctor in two years?” he asked with raised eyebrows.
“No,” she shrugged. “I’m never sick. Why go to the doctor?”
“Little girls need to visit a healthcare provider regularly to be healthy. That clinches it. You will see Doniphan this morning.”
Something about his concrete statement pissed off Ember. Hardening her eyes, she answered snottily, “I don’t have to do anything I don’t want to do!”
“You need to learn to think before you pop off with something that’s going to get your bottom reddened,” Jax warned.
Okay, if I can’t say anything without getting in trouble... Ember stuck her tongue out at him.
She didn’t know how he moved so fast. Jax rolled off the edge of the bed with his arms wrapped around her body to pin Ember to his. Striding deliberately to a corner, Jax easily contained her struggles to free herself. One of his hands pressed on her upper back to keep her in place while the other yanked her diaper down to her knees.
“Wrong answer, Ember. We’ll stand here as long as it takes for you to reconsider. Be aware that in five minutes, I will spank your bottom to a bright red that will last through your physical and beyond. Then we’ll return to the corner until you apologize.”
“I’m not going to say I’m sorry!” She angrily spit the words from her mouth. Jax did not reply. He simply held her in place. When she’d depleted her energy, Ember collapsed against the wall.
“One minute,” Jax announced.
“Jax, I don’t like this. I’m going to panic,” Ember warned.
“Daddy,” he corrected before continuing, “You’re not going to panic. You’re in charge here. Apologize and your corner time is over.”
Ember waited to feel breathless and trapped. When he declared, “Two minutes,” she still breathed easily. Ember realized being with Jax made her feel safe.
“Three minutes.”
She knew she should have gone to the doctor before now. Her mother would be angry that Ember hadn’t had at least a yearly woman’s exam. She still wasn’t ready to admit that he was right. Maybe Jax would give in before she did.
“Four minutes.”
No sign of Jax changing his mind. Maybe she needed to apologize. Ember realized that her daddy was trying to take care of her. She needed to go to the doctor for birth control, at least. She could feel Jax’s warmth behind her as he allowed her to process through her thoughts. She knew she was wrong.
A few more seconds passed, and Ember relented. “I’m sorry, Daddy.”
Jax said nothing but released her from the corner and gathered her in his arms. Settling down to the floor, he cradled her in his lap, rocking her slightly. “Thank you, baby. You’ll go see Doniphan so I can make sure you’re healthy?”
“Yes.”
Several minutes passed as they sat quietly together. Finally, Jax hugged her tightly before meeting her gaze with his expressive green eyes. It was easy to see that he was pleased with her. “Let’s go get ready, baby. A light breakfast and it will be time to go,” he announced.
Once on their feet, Jax took her to the nursery and changed her diaper. Dressing Ember in stretchy leggings and a comfortable T-shirt, he left her to play while he dressed
. Alone in the nursery, Ember crawled up in her crib to wrap her arms around Pockets and Chocolate.
She sat quietly for a couple of minutes before whispering, “Hi, guys. I’ve got a lot to tell you. I realized this morning that Daddy knows how to take care of me better than I do. I’m going to try to let him make decisions for me without rebelling from now on. I guess that’s what having a daddy means. He’s in charge.”
Pockets looked at her in approval and Chocolate nodded his head. She should have asked them a long time ago. They always knew what was best to do. Ember felt the corners of her lips curl upward as the last of her tension evaporated, allowing her shoulders to settle down into place.
A noise at the door drew her attention. Looking up, she saw Jax. Her heart beat a bit faster just at the sight of the handsome man. He means so much to me. “I’m glad you found me, Daddy,” she whispered.
“Best day of my life,” he answered without hesitating.
Chapter Seventeen
Jax parked his truck in the driveway of a small cute house. She could see River’s influence in the burst of wild color from a few flowers here and there along the front of the house. Nothing too organized or perfect, the decorations added welcoming whimsy to the home.
“We need some flowers,” she impetuously decided.
“If you are good during your exam, we’ll go tomorrow and pick out some flowers to plant,” Jax promised. Stepping out of the truck, he rounded the front end to open her door.
“Really?” she asked. “Can I plant some veggies, too?”
“Yes, baby. I’ll let you pick out things for a small garden,” Jax allowed as he helped her out of the truck. Taking her hand, he led Ember up to the door. Before he could ring the doorbell, River opened the door.
“Hi, Ember! Hi, Jax!” she greeted, pushing open the screen door so they could enter. When Ember stepped inside, River hugged her tightly and whispered into her ear, “You’ll be fine. My daddy is very gentle.”
