Rugged Daddy

by Rye Hart

  “So none of your one-night stands come knocking on your door?” I asked.

  “Among other things. I’m being chased by the Mafia too.”

  I giggled and shook my head before I sighed. “I’m sorry I couldn’t tell you sooner.”

  “I’m just glad you’re telling me now,” Nikki said. “I was worried about you. Very worried. And when I pulled up and heard you guys arguing, I was two seconds away from busting in the window and crawling through.”

  “Did you bring a brick? That seems to be a popular choice.”

  It was Nikki’s turn to laugh, and she took full advantage of the situation.

  “Look, even if the super-spooky Mafia is hunting Andrew or Cameron or whatever his name is down, there’s no way they know who you are. You’ve only been in his life for a little while, and half that time, he was gone anyway, holed up in his cabin or something like that, which means they definitely don’t know who I am. As far as I’m concerned, you’re safer with me than with him because they’re tracking him. They’re not tracking me.”

  “You have a point,” I said.

  “What is it? I know that tone of voice.”

  “It’s just … Cameron. He was so upset when I left.”

  “Of course, he was. He lost his control on you. His life is spiraling into some sort of endless madness, and he wants company for it.”

  “I don’t think that’s it.”

  “Even if he is genuinely concerned about you, there’s nothing he can do about any of this. You aren’t safe with him, even though you feel safe with him.”

  “I need to talk to him. I don’t like the idea of leaving things the way we did,” I said.

  “Just give it a night, Heather. It kills me to say this, but I can tell you care for the man, though I don’t like him one bit. Put some space between you guys. All of this has happened so fast, and I’m worried you're looking at this from the wrong point of view.”

  My phone rang from my purse, and I pulled it out. Cameron’s name flashed up onto my screen, and I turned it toward Nikki. She plucked it from my fingers and silenced the call. Then, she turned my phone off and placed it on the table behind her.

  “Give it a night,” she said. “And if you wake up in the morning and still want to talk to him, then call.”

  “Okay,” I said. “I can do that.”

  I watched Nikki bound over to her refrigerator and pull out a bottle of sparkling grape juice. She unscrewed the cap and poured us two glasses full of the stuff. Then, we sat down and began to talk. She filled me in on how work was going and her latest escapades with men. She always had many trysts to talk about after one of her business trips. It felt good not to dwell on things that were happening around me. It felt good to curl up and gossip with my best friend. We turned on her television and caught a Ryan Reynolds movie marathon on television, which forced our hand for the night.

  We just had to watch Ryan Reynolds all night. It was our only option.

  “You want some more sparkling juice?” Nikki asked.

  “Do you have more?” I asked. “I feel like I’ve had an entire bottle to myself.”

  “I’m stocked up on the stuff. You know, for when my pregnant best friend comes to visit,” she said.

  “We know you’re secretly addicted to the stuff. Don’t lie.”

  “It’s so great when marshmallow vodka is added. You have no idea what you’re missing with that.”

  “And I’ll have to wait another five and a half—”

  A loud pounding at the door made me jump so high, I almost fell off the couch. I looked over at Nikki, and she placed our cups in the sink before she scurried over to her door. She looked through the peephole before shooing me away and my heart rose to my throat. Who was at the door? Had they found us?

  Oh my gosh. Cameron was right. They were after all of us.

  “Who is it?” I whispered.

  “I don’t know. I don’t recognize who it is. We’re going to stay in here until they leave.”

  “So it’s not Charlie?”

  “Not homeboy, either,” she said.

  “What did he look like?”

  “Not like either of them. Now hush,” she said.

  The pounding continued as she and I hunkered down in her closet. I closed my eyes and wrapped my arms around my stomach, putting yet another barrier between whatever was outside and my child. But after what seemed like an eternity, the pounding finally let up, and we heard footsteps retreat.

  “Stay here,” Nikki said.

  I reached for her to keep her with me, but she moved too quickly. I heard her footsteps falling against the floor of her home. My heart pounded so quickly, I thought I was going to throw up. I leaned against the wall and closed my eyes, trying to conjure Cameron’s arms around me. His strength against my chest. His lips on top of my head.

  If he was here, he would know what to do.

  “He’s gone,” Nikki said. She turned on the light in her bedroom before helping me up from the closet floor.

  “Are you sure?”

  “I’m positive. And if he comes back, I’m calling the police.”

  “Something isn’t right. This isn’t good,” I said.

  “You need to calm down. Here’s what we’re going to do. I’m going to get us some snacks from my kitchen, and then we’re going to resume our Ryan Reynolds movie marathon in here. We’ll pile in my bed, eat until we can’t speak, and then pass out and dream of his muscles all through the night.”

  “Okay,” I said. “Can you get my phone, please?”

  Nikki shot me a look, and I held my hands up.

  “I won’t call him tonight. But I do think I’ll want to call him in the morning.”

  .

  I walked over to her bed and sat on the edge, waiting for her as my hands shook. Who had been at the door? What had they wanted? And how had they found us?

  “You’re safe here,” Nikki said as she patted my leg. “Remember that.”

  But as she handed me a bowl of chips and salsa, I wasn’t sure I was convinced of that anymore. I did know who I did feel safe with, though.

  I couldn’t keep my eyes from panning over to my phone repeatedly as Nikki turned on the television.

  CHAPTER 29

  CAMERON

  “I’m so sorry I ran,” Heather said as I caressed her hair. “I’m so scared and overwhelmed. I don’t know what to do with myself.”

  “It’s okay,” I said. “I’m just glad you’re back here and alright.”

  I held Heather in my arms as she trembled against my body. She’d done such a wonderful job of being strong throughout all of this. I was honestly surprised she hadn’t run sooner. Hudson eyed me from the kitchen as he bit into an apple, and I shot him a look. Heather had called me early that morning crying her eyes out, telling me someone had come pounding on Nicole’s door the night before and scared the two of them to death. I’d tried calling her all through the night, especially when Hudson got to my place and told me Heather was at Nicole’s and not her own apartment.

  I hadn’t wanted him to scare them, though. That had pissed me off.

  “I knew something bad was going to happen to us,” Heather said. “I just knew it.”

  “Nothing’s going to happen to you so long as you’re with me. Do you hear me?” I asked.

  I tilted her watery gaze up to meet mine and gazed into those beautiful brown eyes.

  “We can’t keep living like this, Cameron. This isn’t healthy for me or safe for Audrey.”

  “I know,” I said. “Hudson and I are working on it. What I need you to understand is that I’m not trying to control you, Heather. I’m trying to keep you safe. When I tell you something has to happen, there’s a damn good reason for it.”

  “Then talk to me next time. Tell me what’s going on.”

  “I did. But Hudson didn’t give me any details other than to stay put.”

  “Don’t put this shit on me,” he said as he bit into his apple again.

&
nbsp; “Then talk to us instead of giving us half-assed answers over the phone,” Heather said. She eyed Hudson with a look I was thankful wasn’t turned on me.

  “We’ll keep you safe,” I said as I turned Heather’s gaze back to mine. “You and our baby. Audrey. The three of you will be safe from this. No matter what.”

  “Oh my gosh. Where’s Audrey?” she asked.

  “She’s fine. She’s in her room playing. She’s got no idea what’s going on, and I’d prefer to keep it that way.”

  “Of course,” she said. “That’s understandable, but what about my doctor’s appointment tomorrow?”

  “The appointment is fine so long as Cameron goes with you. But you can’t travel alone anymore, and you can’t go into town unless it’s necessary,” Hudson said.

  “I know it’s rough right now,” I said. “Believe me, I get it, but I will find a way to fix all this. I won’t allow you to live like this any longer than is necessary. You have nothing to worry about though, Heather. Nothing at all. I won’t—”

  Guilt grabbed my throat and choked my voice from my body. My hand fell to Heather’s stomach, and I cupped her small bump that would grow and expand and swell with the life of my child. Electricity surged through my veins as my heart flew a million miles a second in my chest. I wanted to tell Heather how I felt about her, how much I cared for her and the child we were going to be having together. I wanted to tell her I hoped she stayed, but I understood if she couldn't.

  I swallowed deeply to try and clear the knot in my throat, but it didn’t work.

  Heather’s hand fell on top of mine as her beautiful brown orbs danced along my face. For some reason, I was convinced she knew what I was thinking in that very moment. A small smile graced her lips, showering me with warmth. I wanted to tell her I was falling for her. Hard. But my guilt wouldn’t let me. She and Audrey and our baby, they were all in this situation because of me, because I couldn't keep my hands to myself and couldn’t control my anger.

  The truth was, I couldn't settle down anyway until I resolved the mess I had created.

  “We need to talk,” I said as my eyes lifted to Hudson.

  “About damn time,” he said. “Let’s get your woman a place to rest, and then we can get this party started.”

  CHAPTER 30

  HEATHER

  Water running caught my attention as I rose up from the couch. The last thing I remembered was Cameron tucking a blanket around me as I laid down. I rubbed my eyes and sat up, following the sound as I moved through the darkened cabin.

  How long had I slept?

  I walked into Cameron’s room, and the comfortable warmth hit my skin. I peeked into the bathroom and saw him standing there, clad in nothing but a pair of boxers and bent over the tub. Bubbles gathered in the water and the scent of lavender floated in the air.

  I knocked on the door lightly and watched as Cameron turned to look at me.

  “Hey, sleepyhead,” he said with a grin.

  “Why in the world did you let me sleep so long?” I asked.

  “Because all of this has taken a giant toll on you, and you needed to sleep. Now come on. I made you a bath.”

  He stood up from the tub and held his wet hand out for me, so I slid into the bathroom and closed the door.

  “Where’s Audrey? And Hudson?” I asked as I took his hand.

  “Audrey’s already asleep, and Hudson is in his room finalizing some plans we worked out today.”

  “Wait, Audrey’s already asleep?”

  “It’s almost ten o’clock.”

  He chuckled as his hands began to remove my clothes. He slipped them over my head and down my body, kissing my skin as he revealed it. So many emotions rushed through my system, but the one I kept coming around to was the happiness that filled my soul whenever I was around Cameron. My storming off had worried him, and it had put me in danger I now understood was greater than I’d realized. I needed to do a better job of controlling my emotions when I got overwhelmed.

  “I’m sorry,” I said.

  “Enough with that. Come on. Let’s get you relaxed.”

  He slipped his boxers off, and my eyes fell along his form. He scooped me up into his arms and cradled me close before stepping into his massive sunken-in bathtub. He spread his legs to accommodate my body, and I leaned into him, taking in the warm water that surrounded us. He cupped his hands and dripped water over my shoulders, massaging my neck as my hands slid up and down his legs.

  I sighed and closed my eyes, leaning up so he could reach more of my back.

  “Hudson thinks the best route to take is to bait them while they’re here,” Cameron said.

  “What do you mean ‘bait them’?”

  “Lure them out of their hiding place somehow.”

  “That doesn't sound very safe to me,” I said.

  “He says the issue with these guysis that you have to catch them in the act. If we put too many tails on them, they’ll get spooked and do one of two things. They’ll either go back underground and find another time to strike, or they’ll strike too soon, and a lot of innocent people could get hurt in the process.”

  “So what’s the plan?” I asked.

  I groaned when Cameron’s fingers sank into my lower back.

  “I told him using any of us was off-limits, so Hudson’s making some phone calls and pulling some strings. He thinks he can concoct a diversion or something in town that’ll make it seem like we’re one place when really we’re in another.”

  He removed his hands, and I relaxed into his rock-hard chest as he wrapped his arms around me.

  “Thank you for talking with me about all this,” I said.

  “I shouldn’t have tried to keep you in the dark in the first place.”

  “No. You shouldn’t have, but that doesn't mean we can’t do better going forward.”

  His lips dropped to my shoulder and pressed a small kiss into my skin. “Lavender suits you,” he said.

  I felt his hips roll against my back as a smile crossed my face.

  “I think it suits both of us.” I stroked his thighs with my hands as heat began to build between my legs.

  “Don’t run away from me again,” he said as he kissed my neck. “There’s so much out there that could harm you, Heather. Had something happened to you, I don’t know what I would’ve done.”

  His hands fell to my stomach, cupping it before he palmed my pussy.

  “I’m sorry,” I said breathlessly. “I was angry. And frustrated.”

  “Let me protect you. Let me do what I do best.”

  His fingers parted my folds before he pressed the pads of them into my clit.

  “Okay,” I said, whispering. “I will.”

  “Good,” he said. “Now lean back.”

  My head fell back to his shoulder as my arm snaked around his head. I threaded my hands through his hair as his lips found mine, and he locked us together. His tongue danced along the inside of my cheeks as his fingers circled slowly, making my legs jump with each swirl he took. I moaned into his lips. I felt heat already trickling down my skin. His cock jumped against my back, and I pushed against it, feeling him roll against me again.

  “Cameron,” I whispered. “Keep going.”

  His teeth nibbled at my neck as his fingers pressed deeper into me, but I wanted more. So much more. I rubbed my ass against his cock and felt it pulse against my skin. Then, I lifted my hips and wiggled back into his lap. His hands gripped my hips as he guided my pussy to the tip of his cock.

  Then, he sank me down slowly, filling me effortlessly before his hand found that beautiful spot again.

  I rocked back into him, and bubbles sloshed over the edge. I gripped his hair. My free hand curled into his thigh. I panted and moaned, feeling the way he pressed against my walls. His fingers pinched my clit, flicked it and circled it and teased it until I couldn’t take it any longer. My heels dug into the bottom of the tub, and I rose up, bouncing as hard in his lap as I could.

  “Heather. Fu
ck, that pussy of yours. You have no idea what you do to me.”

  His words were hot against my skin. His lips coated me in kisses as my toes began to curl. His fingers moved faster, triggering an endless ripple that pulled his cock deeper into my body. My legs pulled taut and my back arched, pressing my hips deeper into his. One hand left my hips and rushed to my tits, cupping them and tugging at my nipples. I spiraled out of control, losing all rational thought as my climax ripped through my body.

  My jaw opened, but nothing came out. My entire body trembled, but no sounds were made. My pussy fluttered around his cock, milking him for a feeling he wasn’t ready to give up yet.

  I collapsed back down into him, his arms catching me before his hips began to roll.

  I laid there, limp against his chiseled form as he snapped his hips against me. His arms held me close as my face turned to kiss his neck. I nuzzled his jawline as my hands slid up and down his thighs. I spread my legs for him. Offered myself up to him. My heart soared with every stroke. His hand came up and wrapped around my neck, his fingertips landing on my jawline to turn my face to meet his.

  Then he captured my lips in the sweetest kiss before his hips stilled against mine.

  He throbbed against me, filled me to the brim, and groaned into my lips as his orgasm filled my body. Cum dripped from between my legs, and his hands slid down my wet skin. He cupped my stomach yet again, my hands falling on his, cradling him while he cradled me. While he cradled our child.

  “Cameron?”

  “Yes?”

  I turned my eyes up to meet his as exhaustion overtook my body. I wanted to tell him. I wanted to tell him I wanted to stay to raise this child with him. I wanted to admit to him that I didn’t want to leave him and that leaving his side the other day had only made me miss him and crave the protection I felt when I was in his arms. But I worried he wouldn't feel the same way. I worried that all this fear and confusion looming over us was somehow manipulating the lens we were both looking through.

  The idea of him telling me he cared for me without meaning it made me sick to my stomach.

  “I’m a little tired,” I said.

  A grin slid across his lips before he pulled his cock from between my legs.