Teach Me Daddy: A Mountain Man’s Secret Baby Romance

by Hart, Rye

  I hadn’t prepared for a speech or anything, but I plastered on a smile, even though I wanted to throw up, and headed up to stand beside him.

  “All the lovely photographs on display here tonight were taken by this man right here, and we’re so proud to make him an honorary member of the Galaxies, which hosts events like these to beautify the observatory and, of course, give back to the community.” Steven patted me on the back, and I gave a nod and said many thank-yous before he handed me the microphone.

  I took a deep breath and felt my face turning red. “Thank you so much, Steven, it’s an honor to be a part of such an amazing group of people, and I’m proud that my photography is now a permanent fixture here. More than that, I’m really glad I have friends here tonight, including two special ladies: my sisters, Megan and Kami Kendrick, both of whom I love dearly. Enjoy the night. You both inspire me more than you’ll ever know.” I raised my glass high and the others toasted with me. I gave the microphone to Steven and had to get away.

  I hurried out to the observation deck and tried to catch my breath. The glass window that showed the best view of the night sky I could ever image spanned the room around me. I put my hand to it and leaned forward.

  “That’s an amazing view.” Her voice sent chills down my spine, and I turned to see Kami standing in the door behind me.

  She was so incredibly beautiful, even more so than the last time I’d seen her only a few days ago. She was positively radiant tonight. “Not as amazing as mine,” I said, cringing at how much of a cheesy pickup line it sounded like.

  To my immense relief, she laughed.

  “You said Rain told you everything?” I asked her.

  The smile disappeared from her lips and my heart sank. “Yes. Listen, I don’t agree with what you did, buttering those women up so that your buddy could make more money off them and keeping details about your inheritance a secret from me. You should have told me, even if you were afraid of my reaction. That’s what people who love one another do, Tate. They tell each other the truth, and work through the hard stuff together.”

  I hung my head. “I know. If it makes any difference to you, I actually felt pretty awful about baiting those women. And I can’t apologize enough for not trusting you with the truth earlier.”

  She nodded. “I appreciate that. Bottom line, I know you didn’t cheat on me.”

  “Never,” I said, shaking my head vehemently. “I never would.”

  I held out my hand, and she took it. My heart pounded in my chest as she stepped close and I kissed her knuckles.

  “I’m terrified, Tate.” She met my eyes, and I put my arms around her waist.

  “Of?”

  “You. Giving you my heart wasn’t easy.”

  “I’m so sorry. I’m sorry I broke that trust, and I’m sorry that I’ve made you leery of me. I love you, Kami. You’re my girl. Tell me you’re going to stay?” I pulled her closer and captured her mouth, and she pushed me back up against the glass, deepening it until she pulled away breathless.

  “I’m going to stay.” I let out a long breath, and a terrible weight had been lifted as I gathered her up even closer and kissed her hard, trailing my mouth down her neck and to her breasts and back up.

  “Good, because I didn’t intend on letting you go.” I kissed her again, and we made out against the window until my sister cleared her throat behind us.

  “Really? Can’t you see we’re busy?” I didn’t want to let Kami go for a minute. I had my girl back.

  “Sorry, but you have guests, so you better get your pretty little butts out here and greet them.” She gave me a pointed look and disappeared behind the door.

  We walked out arm in arm to greet my guests, and my heart stopped as I caught a glimpse of my father through the crowd. He was studying my murals pretty hard and talking to Steven Pratt. The older man stepped out of the way, and I caught Dad’s expression. He was smiling.

  “Well I’ll be damned.” I pulled her across the room to where my dad was now laughing with Steven.

  “Ah, here he is, the man of the hour. I was just talking to your old man, here.”

  “Hello, Dad. Thanks for coming.” I shook my father’s hand

  “Tate, I have to admit, you’ve done a damn good job here. I can see why you feel like this is more than just a hobby.”

  His words shocked me more than if he’d told me he was born on another planet. It wasn’t exactly a glowing endorsement, but it was the best that I could expect from him.

  “I’m glad you came to check it out. And you remember my girlfriend, Kami.” Dad’s eyes lit up when he saw my girl.

  “Yes, I do. She’s a real beauty, son. The old apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.” He gave a snicker and pulled his own new girl closer. “This is Robin.” Robin didn’t look much older than me or my sister, but we smiled and welcomed her anyway. We may as well be nice; dad would replace her soon enough anyway.

  My father and his flavor of the month left us to walk the exhibit, my sister opting to go find another drink.

  “I think this might be the best night of my life,” I said as Kami settled against me.

  “You did a beautiful job,” she said and I shook my head.

  “I wasn’t even talking about this. I’m just so damn happy you’re giving me a second chance. By the way, did I tell you that you’re positively glowing tonight?”

  She looked at me shyly and bit her lip. “Yeah, about that…”

  ***

  “I can’t believe you’re having my baby,” I said as I spun Kami around. Once she’d whispered the news in my ear, I couldn’t wait to get her home.

  Now we were snuggled in my bed and I was the happiest man in the entire world. I had the woman of my dreams in my arms, and she was carrying my child. Money, or no, nothing could have topped this night, and it was all thanks to Kami.

  EPILOGUE

  Kami

  I sat at my computer, looking over photo submissions that I was considering for my first gallery showing. I looked over at our daughter, Eliza, sleeping peacefully in her bassinet next to me. The surge of love that shot through me every time I looked at her still took my breath away. It had been a crazy year, but I wouldn’t have changed any of it for the world. I had Tate, our daughter, and the studio and gallery I’d always dreamed about.

  I heard the back door open and looked down at Eliza once more before going to greet Tate as he came in.

  “Hey, babe, I’ve got great news,” he said by way of greeting.

  “Me too! I almost have all the prints I want to use for the gallery showing. And I saved you a spot as promised.”

  “That’s amazing, babe. I’m so proud of you,” he said with a kiss.

  “So what’s your good news?” I asked.

  He waved me out to the garage, and I followed. Once out in the garage, I spotted something large in the driveway through the little windows. “You’re going to love it!” He hit the button on the doors and hurried to go out while the thing lifted.

  “I hope you’re right.” I ducked under the rising doors and saw his surprise.

  “It’s a classic Airstream, baby! Isn’t it amazing?” His smile was so wide that I couldn’t help but smile too.

  “I want a tour.”

  “I’m so excited to show you. I was about to drop forty-grand on one of the bigger models, but this one was only thirty, and it’s been fully restored. The old couple selling it had health issues and needed a fast buyer. I had it all checked out. It’s perfect.” He walked up and opened the door, and I held my breath hoping the two of us, plus the baby, could sleep comfortably in the small trailer.

  He opened the door, and the classic style of the little camper took my breath away as I stepped inside. “It’s so nice.” I fell into his side, and he kissed my hair.

  “I knew you’d love it. It’s so much better than one of those new ones with no personality, and this one is small enough to pull with the Jeep. We’re going to be camping in style, baby.” I couldn’
t help but laugh at how excited he was. With the money he had coming in a couple of years, he could have easily bought any camper he wanted, but he wanted one that was suited to our needs, one he knew we’d love and enjoy together—all three of us. He was the sexiest man ever.

  “I can’t wait, baby.” I kissed him, pulling him close.

  He reached up and opened an overhead compartment. “Look, I can put all my camera equipment in here. Look at the kitchen area. And it’s got a nice fridge too. We’re going to eat well.”

  “How about you show me the bedroom. Let’s make sure there’s enough room in the bed for two.” I walked forward, seeing the door that led into the small sleeping area and opened it.

  On the bed was a beautiful white wedding ring quilt and it was sprinkled with red rose petals. On the small side table, there was a bucket of chilled wine and two glasses.

  “I was hoping you’d want to see the bedroom.” He pushed my hair aside and kissed the back of my neck. His hand trailed up my front and cupped my breast as he thrust his hips forward pressing his erection into my back.

  “You’re the sweetest man.” I stroked his face and kissed his mouth, slipping my tongue in to meet his.

  He walked me to the bed and lay me back against the quilt. “Do I get to keep this too?” I rubbed my hand along the quilt, and he nodded.

  “It’s part of my surprise.”

  “I love it, thank you.” He gave me another quick kiss on the lips before moving his way down. He slipped off my shirt and kissed me over the swells of my breasts and to my tummy. He didn’t stop until he was hovering over my mound and pressed his mouth to my thin cotton shorts. He watched me closely as he tugged at the waistband and then slipped them down. I kicked them off my feet, and he laughed at my urgency.

  “Eager beaver.” He leaned up and closed his mouth over my mound, kissing and teasing my clit.

  “It’s very eager, so you better not make it wait too long.” I tugged at the waistband of his jeans, and he watched as I undid his pants and slipped them off taking his undies down with them. His cock was hard and weeping for attention, so I pulled it into my mouth and gave it a long suck. “Mm.”

  “Fuck, baby. I want inside you.” He brushed his fingers through my hair and undid the clasp that held it up, letting it fall to my shoulders.

  I lay back and spread my legs wide, slipping my hand down to cup my mound and trail my fingers along my slit.

  He dove back down and kissed me, then came up to meet my mouth, his knees resting on the bed as he hovered over me. He put one arm down beside me and centered his cock at my entrance, wasting no time with pushing deep inside of me.

  I moaned out and hissed through my teeth as he stretched me so far, I thought I might come apart.

  He pumped his hips, working me at a slow, steady pace while kissing me deeply. Then he brought me over the edge of my climax and held me, staying still inside me as I trembled around him. “You’re so beautiful when you come, baby.”

  And just to prove how much he liked it, he worked me through two more orgasms until the trailer was seriously rocking.

  He rolled us over, and I flattened my hands on his chest as I rode him steady. “I love you, Tate.”

  I love you, baby. I’ll always love you.” He stroked my breasts and rose up to capture a nipple between his teeth. I moaned and rolled my head to the side as he quickened the pace, cupping my ass to lift me off and on his throbbing cock.

  “Fuck, baby. I’m coming.” He twitched inside me as he came and I gripped his cock with my slick walls and milked every last drop.

  We collapsed on the bed, and he tucked me to his side as I traced the pretty fabric of the quilt. “May I have some wine?” I trailed my toes along his calf, and he sat up to pour us a glass.

  He handed me mine and then took his holding it up high. “To our new camper, to many nights under the stars, to us.”

  “Cheers.” I took a sip, and he brushed the hair away from my face and smiled at me. “What’s that look for?”

  “I’m thinking about how pretty you are. You’ll be a beautiful bride one day. I can’t wait to see you all in white, walking down that aisle toward me.”

  “Assuming I marry you.” I laughed, and he gave me a wounded look. I passed him my glass, and he placed it on the table.

  “You’ve already had my baby,” he said, beaming with pride.

  My heart swelled when I thought about how he was with our daughter. He loved her fiercely and was an amazing father.

  “True, but that isn’t exactly a proposal.”

  “I guess I better hurry up and ask then.” I wondered what he was doing when he put his wine glass down and pulled open the little bedside drawer.

  “That’s a handy little—"

  Seeing what he had in his hands, I froze. The little blue box was the perfect size for a ring, and my heart beat faster when he got down on his knees.

  “Kami, I love you so much. I want to end every night with you and start each morning by your side. Would you do me the honor of being my wife?” He opened the box, and the ring inside sparkled.

  My heart burned in my chest and my eyes filled with tears. “Yes! Are you kidding me? of course!” I fell into his arms, and he held me so tight I couldn’t catch my breath. Our tears mingled as I kissed him, and we held each other for a quiet moment of nothing but the two of us in love.

  Just as I leaned down to give him another long kiss, I heard a squeak coming from the open door leading into the house from the garage.

  “Sounds like the princess is awake,” I said, smiling.

  “Should we tell her our good news?” He asked.

  “We should,” I said.

  As we walked back into the house and Tate grabbed Eliza from her bassinet and pepper her with kisses until she giggled, a lump formed in my throat.

  I was the luckiest woman in the world.

  The End

  HOT BASTARD NEXT DOOR

  A Boy Next Door, Second Chance Romance

  CHAPTER ONE - DUNCAN KELLEY

  Last night must have been one wild ride.

  The woman next to me was growing hotter by the second and not because of her looks, but because her body heat was more than I could stand. I pulled back the covers and let in some air, exposing her tight little ass in the process.

  Sure, she was hot, but things wouldn’t go any further with her than the sex we’d had the night before. Though she was a nice girl, her personality left a lot to be desired. I needed a woman that had talent aside from giving good head, and passion for something other than how to spend my money. I wasn’t in the market for a girl who acted like the only reason she existed was to please me. Don’t get me wrong, there was a time when that much would have been appealing, but I’d learned well enough that it only goes so far. At the end of the day, I wanted someone I could stand talking to about nothing in particular; someone who might have an opinion other than what they thought I wanted to hear.

  Even the absence of the covers wasn’t making things any better with the inferno curled up against me. I slid away from her and sat up hoping she’d wake up soon so I could show her the door. I had a few things I needed to take care of today and playing host to another one-night-stand wasn’t on the list.

  The phone rang and as I went to silence it, Katherine rolled over and opened her eyes. I got up and headed to the bathroom with my phone.

  “Hello,” I said as I took care of my morning duties.

  “Do you have to answer the phone while you’re taking a piss, Duncan?” My sister’s tone was as always grating at that time of morning.

  “Yes. It’s not my fault you called and woke me up.” I had told her for years to stop calling when the crickets were still chirping, but she had never gotten the hint. Katherine walked in once I was finished and turned on the shower.

  “Want to join me?” she asked with a whisper.

  I shook my head, but Shauna was already onto me. “Duncan Kelley, you’ve got company? This time of mornin
g? You’ll never change.”

  “What’s so bad about that?” I made my way to the kitchen where I washed my hands at the sink and then started a pot of coffee before grabbing a bagel.

  “What’s so bad? Oh, so I suppose I will be meeting the lovely lady? What’s her name, Lexi? Roxie? Vixen? Dancer? Prancer?”

  Despite my sister’s accusations, I hadn’t graced a strip club in some time.

  “No, there won’t be any meeting, and her name is Katherine.” I hated that my sister felt the need for me to explain my lifestyle. I was a bachelor and ex-SEAL, and I’d earned my right to live any damned way I wanted. Besides, it wasn’t like I was going to fall in love. I’d given up my heart years ago and other than amazing sex, I didn’t have much to offer.

  She made a sound of aggravation, and it rattled through the phone. “I just think—”

  “I know what you think, Sis, and you swore to me that we wouldn’t talk about that.”

  “You mean her .”

  I froze, and my coffee turned bitter in my mouth. Not only had my sister promised not to nag me about my social life, but we’d sworn years ago not to talk about my old relationship with her best friend, Rachel Dean.

  “Yeah, that and other things, but I suppose since you brought her up there’s no harm in me asking how she is.” I had often wondered what she turned up doing. Had she married, had children? The hollow spot in my chest grew tender.

  “You mean you really want to know?” My sister had never forgiven me for leaving things with Rachel the way I had, but I had never taken the time to explain things to her. Rachel was too young to devote her life to me. When I was preparing to leave for the military, she was only a sophomore, and I hadn’t wanted her to put her dreams on hold for mine. She had so much talent and life in her that I knew she’d have a great future ahead. Her father knew it too and had his plans all laid out for her. As much as I regretted to this day what I’d done, the way I’d done it would haunt me to my dying day. She’d deserved so much better.