Chapter Ten
Walker
I walk up the gravel driveway slowly, memorizing the weight of my girl in my arms. This is a part of life I never anticipated.
Love.
Truth be told, until recently I leaned toward the biological theories regarding love. It makes sense to assume that we’re all animals driven to breed. Therefore, we look for certain things instinctively. Strong hips, balanced features, the quiet signals of survival and health. I found the entire dance to be… mechanical. Like watching instincts wear a human mask.
Now I realize how fucking stupid all that sounds. Now I realize it was the instinct that drew me in, but the fact that Rosie is everything I’ve dreamt about is unique to me. Everything from here on out is a choice, and God damn, I choose her.
I drag in a deep breath and let it out slowly, breathing my girl in. She fell asleep ten minutes into the ride over to the cabin and slept soundly for the hour and a half drive out here. I don’t blame her. Tonight was awful, and I’m going to make it my top priority to help her relax, unwind, and feel human again.
I’m floored by the way she’s made me feel. Hell, until I met her, I was a shell. A man living a one-dimensional life of work, work, and more work. With her, the world feels painted, like I’mfinally seeing color, and I’d do anything to protect that rainbow from vanishing.
The wind whistles through the shutters as I stand at the top of the steps and fumble with the keys, trying to find the one for the front door as I hold her close to my chest, but it’s a losing battle. I’ve slid the wrong key in twice and I think I’m about to do it again.
“Do you need help?” Her voice is sleepy, and I hate that I’ve woken her.
“No, I need you to stay right there. I’ll get it eventually.”
She snuggles into me, soft and trusting, like she’s decided I’m the safest place to be, and fucking hell if that doesn’t do something to me. A moment later, the lock clicks softly and the door springs open. I carry her over the threshold, the floorboards of the old cabin creaking beneath my weight as we step inside the warmth.
“You’ve done so much for me tonight.” Her voice is soft and wispy. “Why don’t you let me make you something to eat?”
I shake my head and set her curved frame on the couch. “No. You’re not lifting a finger while you’re here. And honey, trust me, you’re doing something for me. The fact that I get to take care of you, give you pleasure, hold you close… it’s everything I need.”
She smiles up at me sweetly as I tuck a blanket around her waist and fluff the pillow on the couch. “I’ll get you a little snack before bed, then I want you in my arms again.”
The softest smile lifts onto her face, and my heart warms as I think about the way she called me Daddy in the supply closet. Her tits bouncing in my face. Her tight, little pussy suctioned around my stiff cock. The moan in her voice. I get hard again just thinking about it. She’s so fucking soft, so sweet, so fucking perfect.
I’d do anything for her.
My cock hardens as I step into the kitchen. It’s not an ideal time to be hard and ready, but I haven’t had a moment around her yet when I’m not. The idea of taking care of her only makes me harder.
I only wish I’d thought through what I had in the cupboards before I got here. As it stands, I have a box of crackers and some peanut butter. It’s not what I had in mind, but it’ll have to do. I compile the ingredients on a tray and carry them into the living room with a warm cup of tea.
“What’s all that about?”
“I’ve never been taken care of like this before.” She smiles as I set the tray onto the ottoman.
“No one’s ever made you peanut butter crackers?” I kiss her forehead before sitting beside her on the couch, her legs sprawled out over the top of mine.
“No, actually,” she sits up and reaches for my hand, “but it’s not just the crackers. It’s the way you were with my father.” She smiles sweetly and brushes her hand back through her hair. “You’re a natural daddy.”
That word again.My cock jumps to attention. If she hadn’t been through hell tonight, Daddy would need to find ways to relax himself as well.
I drag in a deep breath and let it out slowly, pushing down the beast that’s threatening the caretaker I know she needs.
“I have a question. Why didn’t you ever marry?” She settles the tray on her lap and pops a cracker into her mouth. “You’re this big, attractive guy who’s smart and clearly caring, so why spend your time alone?”
I shrug and brush my hand down over my beard as I think over her question. “I wish I had some great answer, but the truth is, I’ve been too consumed with work. Part of me thought I’d get the perfect job and then start a family. And when my first book opportunity came along, I thought, well… I’ll wait untilthat’s off my back, and the cycle just kept repeating itself. More books, more projects, something always more pressing than relationships.” I swallow hard as I rub her soft, little foot in my hand. “You caught me off guard. The day you walked into class, I knew I wouldn’t be able to quiet the urges.”
She bites back a smile as she sips her tea. “I like you.”
“I like you too,” I say, biting back words likelove,afraid of sounding far too dramatic for the short time we’ve been together. “What about you? Why aren’t you dating more? Clearly, you could have any man you want.”
She laughs one short laugh and narrows her brows. “You’re crazy. Also, I don’t date because I have way too much going on between work and home. Plus, guys my age are weird. It’s like a whole generation of men have forgotten how to be men. Everyone is so focused on equality that the idea of chivalry is just gone.” She pauses momentarily. “But you, you’re different. You make me feel special. That’s something I’ve never felt before. Now I just have to believe I’m worth it.”
