The Woodsman's Nanny - A Single Daddy Romance

by Emerson Rose

“So what’s the itinerary for the weekend, since we are staying in a hotel instead of my bed?”

  He stops to open the car door and eyes me carefully. “Are you disappointed?”

  “About a weekend with you at a hotel? No, of course not. It sounds fun.”

  “I’ll take good care of you, don’t worry.”

  The way he says that sounds like a vow instead of a promise.

  “I’m not worried at all.” I slide in, and he closes the door and walks around to the back to stow my bag away. I’m not worried about the sex this weekend, or my golf clubs, or even wearing my bikini. I’m worried about how Major is going to react when he finds out I’m pregnant. His past is heavily peppered with pain and loss, and his issues with OCD run deep. He could be totally opposed to having another child. He doesn’t even feel worthy of raising Malory in his own home.

  I want to meet Malory. She’s a big part of his life, and if he plans on keeping me around for a while, it’s going to be important that I know her.

  When he’s settled in his seat, I ask him, “Do you think I could meet Malory?”

  He stills with his hand on the ignition button for a moment.

  “Yes, maybe you could come up this week one night and have dinner at my sister’s with me,” he says and starts the engine.

  “Are you sure?”

  “Yes. I’ve never introduced her to anyone before. I’m not sure how she will react.”

  “I don’t want to upset her. If you don’t think it’s a good—”

  “No.” He links his fingers loosely with mine. “You’re part of my life, and so is she. You need to meet.”

  I nod in agreement. “Are you ready to go now?”

  “Yep, let’s get this show on the road.”

  Major drives like an old woman, slow and careful. I never noticed it when he drove me to his house in Oceanside. I was drunk the first night, and the second night, after the earthquake, nobody was driving faster than 15 mph with all the debris on the roads.

  “You drive slow.”

  Major

  “Precious cargo.”

  She is precious cargo, but I always drive carefully. I know how bad it sucks to grow up without good parents, and I don’t want to risk leaving Malory officially an orphan. Everything I do, I do with her in mind. I eat healthy, exercise, get checkups, all that shit, just to make sure I’ll be around for a long time for her. I owe her that much.

  When she doesn’t respond, I reach out and take her hand and kiss her knuckles.

  “What are you thinking?” I ask.

  “This all feels like a dream.”

  “Like you’re going to wake up and I’ll be gone and you will never have known me?”

  “Yes, how did you know?”

  “I feel the same way sometimes. You’re my second chance for a never ending story, remember?”

  She’s not just my second chance. She’s my last chance. I never dreamed there would be someone who could tie my heart up in knots the way Katie did. Sin deserves punishment, and my punishment was losing her, but for some reason, I’ve been blessed with love again, and I’m not going to blow it.

  “You okay over there?”

  Violet is an emotional person. She wears her feelings on her sleeve, but today, she seems to be hiding something.

  “Yes, you’re just too sweet sometimes.”

  “You don’t know me very well yet,” I say and wink at her.

  “Oh, I know you think you’re a big tough, Marine but I’m figuring you out.”

  She pokes me in the chest with her perfectly manicured finger.

  “Oh really? How’s that?”

  “Well, for starters, you’re thoughtful and attentive. You remembered how much I love cupcakes, and you noticed me squinting in the sun and bought me sunglasses. Second, you’re a good, responsible daddy. You spend a lot of time with your daughter.”

  I open my mouth to protest. If that were really true, I’d be able to change my rigid ways and give up the Marines so Malory could live with me. But she holds up her pretty finger again, indicating that she’s not done yet.

  “And third, you have a really big . . .” She pauses for dramatic effect. “heart.”

  “Very funny, Target girl.”

  “You think you don’t, but I’m a very good judge of character.”

  “Oh, I know I have a big—”

  “Stop!” She laughs, swatting at me with her free hand.

  I love her laugh. I love her free spirit. I love her dirty mouth. I just plain fucking love her.

  Ten minutes later, we’re pulling into the circle drive of the Fairmount Grand Del Mar Hotel.

  “This is us.”

  “Wow, you said hotel and I thought some little place by the beach or something. This place is swanky.”

  “Only the best for you, Target girl.”

  She rolls her eyes.

  “Is Kimber here yet? I haven’t seen her for a couple of weeks.”

  “Should be. Garcia was taking an Uber to get her when I left to get you.”

  “Why didn’t he drive his car?”

  “We came together.”

  “And see, you’re efficient, too.” She crosses her arms over her chest and nods her head like she’s agreeing with herself.

  My eyes fall to her breasts that are perched on top of her folded arms. I could just be horny as hell, but they look better than usual, rounder, plumper. My cock twitches. I need to get her into bed. I’m having my dessert before dinner tonight.

  24

  Just Relax

  Violet

  The door swings open behind us, and we nearly fall into room 511. Major has reached the end of his self-control. I didn’t think we were going to make it out of the elevator. Our lips haven’t separated, and our hands haven’t stopped roaming since we staggered out and down the short hall to our room.

  I’m glad Kimber and Garcia aren’t here yet. It wouldn’t have mattered who was in the elevator with us. Major is, for once, out of control, and I love it. This is just what I need before I break my big news. Everything sounds better after sex.

  Major’s fierceness almost borders on frightening when he kicks the door shut and slams me against the inside of it. He’s pulling at my purse. It drops to the floor. He’s taking his shoes off as he devours my mouth, my neck, my shoulder. I hold onto his waist and toe off my shoes, trying to keep up with him, but it’s not good enough, not fast enough. Over my head my shirt goes. He throws it haphazardly somewhere behind us. I’m shoving his shirt up when he moves my hands and pulls it off from the back of his collar in one fast swoop. I work at the button of his jeans, but I’m fumbling, so he pops it open and yanks down the zipper.

  I wasn’t planning on going anywhere, so I’m wearing my yoga pants . . . well I was wearing them. He’s got me bare in mere seconds. His hands cup my breasts as he takes turns sucking and pinching them. My head bumps the door when he crouches to lift my leg over his shoulder.

  “Major, oh God,” I moan, not even considering that he is essentially face to face with my baby bump. It’s dark and he’s busy. No problem.

  His tongue slips between my wet folds, and he slides two fingers inside me, curling them around to stroke my sweet spot. I’m wetter than usual. I think it’s the pregnancy, or it could be Major. Who the hell knows?

  He’s kissing my folds like he kisses my mouth, with frenzy and fervor. He licks my entire slit back to front, electrifying every ultra-sensitive part of my body. I cry out, and he stands before I come, leaving me on the verge of ecstasy and nearly in tears with frustration.

  “Turn around,” he says in his gravelly, sex crazed voice, and I do as I’m told.

  He takes my hands, places them on the door on either side of my head, and growls in my ear. “Don’t move.”

  I don’t know what’s next, and truly, I don’t care as long as he keeps touching me. I am his. He can have me, every single inch of me however he wants.

  His energy changes. He’s slowing his advances. He has
me where he wants me, and now he’s reigning in his control. He moves my hair over one shoulder and kisses the back of my neck.

  I feel his lips against my ear when he whispers, “Violet, do you trust me?”

  I can’t form words with my mouth, so I nod.

  “Because I’m claiming every part of you this weekend, starting here.”

  His hand slides between my legs, and his fingers drag the overabundance of moisture to the pucker of my ass, where he swirls it around and slips a finger inside me. I clench my jaw, and my muscles instinctively lock up.

  “Relax, baby, you have to relax and let me in.”

  I make a conscious effort to loosen up like I do in yoga class. I open my mouth and take a deep breath before blowing it out. He kisses my left shoulder, where I have my head turned, cheek against the door.

  “Good girl.” Another kiss on my back, and his finger slides in easily and then another, stretching and preparing me for what’s to come. I’ve never done this, not even with Lucas. He wanted to, but I wouldn’t let him. Major doesn’t ask . . . he takes. I like it when he is in control. He has a way of making me want to give him anything he wants, even this.

  His free hand pulls my hips back, and he slides it around front to stroke my clit while his other one is busy making room for his cock. It feels so damn good, I can hardly stand. My knees are weak, my muscles trembling as Major slowly presses his very big, very hard cock against my ass.

  “Easy . . . that’s it. God, you’re so wet, Violet. I’ve never felt you get so wet like this. You like it, don’t you?”

  He slides the head in and stops when I gasp, more out of surprise than pain.

  “You okay? Am I hurting you?”

  “Uh uh,” I manage to say.

  “Good, relax. I’m going in deeper, baby.”

  And he does, but his hand circling and stroking my clit has me so wound up, and the pressure from behind is so, so good and so intense, I claw at the door and moan.

  “Fuck, you feel so good. I’m going all the way in now. Hold on.”

  He slides into me gently, completely, and I’m amazed at how much I like it, how much different it feels than any other experience I’ve ever had.

  He begins to work in and out, around and around. I’m dizzy and breathless with pleasure. Major’s groans and encouraging words in my ear are what bring me to climax. I pound my fist on the door and scream. He pumps faster and follows me into the insane portal of rapture.

  I’m spent, sated, content, and completely weak. I collapse between Major and the door, unable to stand any longer. He slides out and scoops me into his arms. He maneuvers through the pitch-dark room like he has night vision and lays me on the bed.

  He reaches out, and I panic when it comes to me that he’s going to turn on the light. There’s no place to hide naked on top of the covers, and I’m about to tell him to leave it off when there’s a knock at the door.

  I thought I was ready to tell him. I really did, but the relief that washes over me when I hear that knock is tremendous.

  “Shit, it’s Garcia and Kimber. I told them we would go to dinner right away. Cover up.”

  Gladly.

  He flips on the light in the bathroom and grabs a towel to wrap around his waist before opening the door a crack.

  “Hey, sorry. We got distracted.”

  I imagine Garcia looking at Major in his towel and smiling.

  “No problem, man. Meet you downstairs in a few?” Garcia says.

  “Yeah. Hello, Kimber, nice to see you again. You look lovely.”

  Ever the gentleman. Even standing naked and post-coital in a hotel doorway, he greets and compliments a woman.

  “Uh, thanks . . . you too?”

  The guys both laugh, and I’m sure Kimber is wondering what the hell she’s gotten herself into this weekend.

  “We’ll be down soon.”

  “Okay, man.”

  The door closes, and I clutch the sheet and comforter to my chest.

  Major crosses the room and sits on the edge of the bed. He tucks my hair behind my ear and looks at me with so many emotions, I can’t sort through them all.

  “He’s asking her to marry him tomorrow night,” he says, smoothing my hair back over and over.

  “What? No way,” I say, propping up on my elbow.

  “Yep, he told me on the drive up. He’s pretty nervous, but I think he really loves her.”

  Aw shit, here come the water works again. Tears fill my eyes in record time while I try to blink them back, embarrassed.

  “Hey, what’s wrong?”

  “N-nothing. It’s just so beautiful.”

  He hops onto the bed and spoons me on the outside of the blanket.

  “You’re a very emotional person, aren’t you?” he says, wrapping his arms around me tightly.

  I draw in a shuddering breath. “Only lately. It’s embarrassing.”

  Here’s your chance, Violet, tell him you’re pregnant. Tell him that’s why you’re a running faucet of tears. If ever there were a perfect time, it’s now.

  “Well, I like it. Being passionate suits you.” He kisses me on the top of my head.

  I can’t do it. The words won’t come. I physically opened my mouth, but they wouldn’t come out. This isn’t a secret I can keep anymore. I don’t know why I can’t just spit it out.

  It’s because I’m afraid.

  I’m so afraid that when I tell him, all of this will come to a screeching halt. We haven’t been together long. Things are so new, and we haven’t encountered any problems—no fights or roadblocks. This pregnancy could make or break us, and knowing his history, I’m afraid it will be the latter.

  I’ve tried to imagine living in his house with him and our baby. The sterile, ultra-clean rooms messed up with toys and playpens, bottles and bouncy seats. It’s impossible, there’s no way.

  What if he wants to still have a relationship but not live together?

  What if he doesn’t want the baby at all?

  What if he doesn’t want me?

  “Let’s get cleaned up for dinner,” he says, swatting my ass.

  I cringe, and he realizes his mistake. “I’m sorry, are you okay?”

  “Yeah, just a little sore. I’ve never done that before.”

  “Ah, yet another first.”

  “Yeah, you took my ass virginity,” I say and elbow him hard in the ribs.

  He laughs, “Never heard it put that way, but I suppose so. You liked it though. It was good.”

  I have to admit, it was mind-blowing.

  “I never thought it would feel so good.”

  “I have so much more to teach you, Target girl. I’m going to enjoy surprising you with new things every night.”

  Every night? I would love to spend every night of the rest of my life exploring new things with this man—and every day, for that matter.

  If he doesn’t wile out and board the struggle bus when I tell him he’s going to have another messy, crying, unpredictable, unorganized human being to care for, then yeah, every night sounds amazing.

  25

  Dinner Interrupted

  Major

  “I only brought one dress. I thought this was a one-dinner weekend.”

  “I’ll buy you a new one tomorrow.”

  “I can buy my own dress, thank you very much. And what I meant was I’ll need to run home tomorrow and get another if we’re having dinner out.”

  I love her sassy independence. Truth be told, she probably makes more money than I do, but spoiling her is so much fun.

  “We don’t need to go out tomorrow night. Garcia wants the night alone with Kimber anyway. We can order room service and stay in bed.”

  “I love that idea.” She wraps both of her arms around one of mine as we walk through the gorgeous foyer of the Del Mar into its five-star restaurant.

  Violet is seduction in stilettos and a backless, deep purple dress. How she can wear something so loose-fitting and still have me hard as stone is a mystery to
me. It could be because I know there’s absolutely nothing under that dress but brown, silky bare skin. The slim spaghetti straps don’t allow for a bra, and the back plunges so far down it would be impossible to wear panties. I’m A-Okay with that. Just one less thing I’ll have to take off her when I get her back to our room tonight. Part of me regrets our dinner plans. I’d rather be eating her in our room, but another part really enjoys seeing her in that dress.

  I pull out a chair for Violet when we are shown to our table and slide my hand discreetly down her bare back and into her dress, brushing my fingers over the top of her ass. I kiss her on the cheek and whisper in her ear how much I enjoyed our first hour in the hotel.

  I knew she would let me in. I knew she would like it. What I didn’t know is how fucking great she would feel coming apart in my hands.

  “Would anyone care for a drink?” the waiter asks after he introduces himself.

  “I’ll have a scotch on the rocks. Violet, what would you like?”

  I take advantage of the close proximity of our seats and touch her shoulder. She shivers, and gooseflesh appears on her arm. She looks at me and smiles a we did something naughty smile and I wink at her. She likes it when I wink. Her eyes darken and she messes with her hair every time. I’m learning her tells—the lusty eyes, the hair twirl, the way she worries her bottom lip. I’ll memorize everything in time. God, I hope we have a lot of time.

  “No thanks. Kimber can’t drink, so I’ll keep her company and have an iced tea,” Violet says.

  “Thank you, Violet, I appreciate it. Only twelve more weeks and I can have a margarita. We are so having a girl’s night out,” Kimber says.

  “It seems like it’s gone by so quickly. I can’t believe you’re going to be a mama in a few weeks,” Violet says, propping her elbow on the table and cradling her chin in her hand. Her expression is wistful, yearning, almost as if she were envious of Kimber’s impending motherhood. What if she is? We haven’t discussed a future together or children or anything other than dating and sex. She’s a young woman. She probably wants kids. Shit, I never even thought about that until this very moment. How could that have never crossed my mind? I want to give her everything wrapped in platinum and tied up with silk string, but a family? I’m not sure I can do that again. This is something we really need to talk about. It could be a game changer. If there were any chance I could lose her, it would be over this.