Daddy Bear (Montana Daddies 1)

“Not sure I like this image you have of me as a wimp.”

He leaned forward. “I don’t see you as a wimp, honey. Not at all. I see you as someone who needs a bit of guidance. You’re a little reckless with your safety. You could use someone to watch over you.” He shook his head, rubbing at the back of his neck. “Look, don’t worry about any of this. Forget I said it, okay?”

He stood up. “No, wait.” She reached out and grabbed his arm.

He stilled and gave her a disapproving look. Not because she had touched him, she knew, but because she’d pulled her arm out from under the blankets. Jeez, he was overprotective.

And damned if she didn’t love that.

Here was this gorgeous hunk of a man, who could probably have any woman he wanted, and he was fussing over her. Why, she wasn’t exactly sure. She wasn’t anything special.

“What about sex?” She blushed bright red, unable to believe she’d said that. And did she want sex to be part of the deal? Damned if she knew.

He didn’t take offence. Instead he gave her an incredulous look. “You can’t even pee by yourself, how do you expect to have sex?”

“I just…I don’t know. I don’t really know much about sex at all.” Crap. Why had she told him that? Men liked experienced women, didn’t they?

He was silent for a moment. “Have you had sex before, Ellie?”

“Umm…well…no.” She kept her gaze averted from him, not wanting to see his reaction.

“Look at me,” he demanded.

No way.

“Ellie. Eyes on me. Now.”

She turned her gaze to him.

“Honey, there is nothing wrong with being a virgin.”

“Isn’t there? Don’t men like women with experience? Who know what they’re doing?” she asked.

“Maybe some do. Experience can be good. So can innocence. Ellie, are you attracted to me?”

“I can’t believe you are asking me that,” she groaned. “Can we just forget I said any of this?”

“Nope. Are you attracted to me?”

When she still didn’t say anything, he sat and gave her a stern look. “Daddy expects an answer when he asks a question, little girl.”

Those words were like a trigger inside her. She wanted to answer him, please him. It scared her how much she wanted that.

He reached out and cupped hold of her chin, lifting her face. “You can tell me anything, little one. Daddy will always listen.”

“Yes, I’m attracted to you,” she whispered.

“Good. I’m attracted to you too.”

“You are?” She stared at him in shock.

“That’s such a surprise?”

Well, yeah, frankly it was.

“But…” he said.

Here it came, the dreaded but.