Chapter 6

Six

BEN

T his is it for me. She’s the one. Would her mother approve? Most likely not, but I can’t think about that. I want to do better for Winter.

Is there a sack of guilt hitting my gut that I may ruin this eighteen-year-old girl’s future? Yeah… So, I plan to work hard to be the best daddy for her. She’ll want for nothing. Can pursue whatever dreams she develops, and I’ll ride them along beside her. I can’t make her want children right away.

But my dick sure wants to give them to her.

It’s raging hard, sticking up straight and pulsing while I lie on my back. Her blonde hair splays over my chest and arms, tickling my skin. Juniper-scented breaths huff onto my neck as she nuzzles against me. This is almost heaven.

If I were inside her, it would be.

My lips long to press against hers, but I settle for her forehead as carefully as possible so I don't wake her. Last night, I got the best sleep I’ve had in a long time. Maybe in twenty years. And it was from having my little girl in my arms.

She stirs slightly and sways her hips over mine more. My cock surges underneath the sheet with a need only she can satisfy. My perfect baby, Winter.

Stretching my arm out as far as possible, I snag my phone from the nightstand and text Jake.

Me

I need to meet on Main Street for brunch.

Jake

What about your goddaughter?

Me

She’ll be at your establishment working. And I need some help.

Jake

With drinks?

Me

Sure. I’ll buy you a beer after.

Jake

Sounds perfect. See you around noon.

Her alarm goes off on the other bedside table and she blinks her eyes rapidly, rubbing them with the backs of her hands.

“Oh! Daddy! Happy Christmas Eve Day!” A little sleepy smile settles across her cheeks, and I beam right back at her.

With a small swat on her pert ass, I slide out from under her. “Get up and get dressed. Time for you to get to work. You’re done early today, right?” The lodge usually closes early on Christmas Eve.

“Yeah, I am, but where are you going?” She sits up and turns off her phone.

“Got plans for dinner tonight and want to get a head start.”

A worried look crosses her face. “Plans? For-for you or…”

Hurrying back to her, I grab her face in my palms. “No. For us . I’ll pick you up after work.”

The grin returns and makes my heart want to explode, but I manage to get dressed and head over to the Golden Trace country club. Fortunately, the owner and I went to high school together. Carol has always liked me. There’s one table left for the busy holiday evening, and I make the reservation for two. After that, I find Jake on Main Street walking toward the bar.

“Wait! Not yet!”

He stops mid-stride and turns slowly to face me with a smirk painted on his face. “You look tired, old man. Little girls running through your house?”

“Stop. Just… stop. It’s embarrassing enough, and I—” Swallowing, I point toward the opposite direction, and he falls into step with me.

“What? I’ve never seen Ben Stone so nervous.”

My hand waves at the glass storefront, and his eyes widen as I showcase the destination. “I’m going to marry her. You have taste. I don’t. Help me pick out a ring for Winter.”

“Oh, man…”

“Don’t judge, please.”

Jake slaps his hand on my shoulder and stares me down with a seriousness I’ve rarely seen him have. “Never.”

I know he wouldn’t. Jake is bisexual, but not ready to come out. He’s always been the big man of the town, a fiercely sought bachelor, and plays that up for marketing. If I can do anything to support Jake, I will. I know he won’t make me feel weird about marrying Sherry’s daughter. Not really . Though, I’m sure I will have to put up with more of his jokes.

His fingers squeeze my muscles before he faces the jeweler’s. “I’m so fucking proud of you. I love Winter already. With as much as you’ve talked about her all these years, I feel like I know her. Congratulations. Come on, old man. I’ll help you get the perfect ring for your daughter bride.”

Shaking my head, I enter the open door he holds, but playfully punch his gut as I pass.

An unfortunate email alerts me that my Japanese client requires me sooner than I had expected to leave. They want to start right after the holiday and included Cindy’s group on the email as real estate developer on the project. With a heavy sigh, I try to figure out how to get around this. I don’t want to leave my girl, but have never backed out of a job.

After lunch and a workout in my home gym, I pick up Winter and head home, telling her to dress for a fancy dinner. When she emerges from her old room, she’s wearing an incredibly short, fluffy skirt with a deep V-neck halter top. Little ballet shoes cover her feet and travel up her calves with silk ribbons. She’s like sin in pure white.

“Y-you’ll catch a cold wearing that.”

“I have my coat, Daddy.” She presses her pink lips against the side of mine as I stand stunned at her beauty. Her hips sway dangerously when she walks toward the staircase. Tossing her long ponytail over one shoulder, she smiles at me coyly. “You coming?”

The yearning to bend her over the railing and spank her is overwhelming, but I stroke my stubble with a sweaty palm and nod.

At the restaurant, she continues to dazzle me with her blue eyes. When I order for us, she purses her lips and asks the waiter, “I’ll have a wine, too, please.”

Both the waiter and I pause for a moment before he gives me a look. “Sir, is she allowed ?”

My heart skips a beat as I realize how very young she is. The server and her look at me as if asking my permission to allow my daughter to drink alcohol. Part of me is embarrassed at this situation, of how we must look together. Me, her much older father, and her, a freshly eighteen-year-old girl.

The other half gets raging hard that I can control this situation like her daddy.

“Bring the best champagne you have. And two glasses.”

Winter bobs in her seat excitedly, and I slyly adjust myself under the tablecloth. “One drink, that's it,” I tell her while wagging a finger in the air. It’s time for us to become one, and I don’t want her tipsy during it.

“So, why all this tonight? I figured we would stay home and bake cookies or something.”

Brushing my hand back through my hair, I take a deep breath, feeling the weight of the ring in my pocket. I was so sure of her answer until this moment. Now, it feels like I had more confidence than sense.

“Um, I wanted?—”

“Hello, Ben.” Winter and I glance up from the table where Cindy leans against Jud Beckham, one of the local bar owners. “So sorry! I didn’t mean to startle you both. I just didn’t want to be rude and leave without saying goodbye. I’m assuming I won’t see you before you head off to Japan the day after Christmas, Ben?” It's clear she's asking genuinely, but isn't aware of the ramifications of her question.

Winter’s eyes grow large and bore holes into my face with some intense emotion. “Uh… Well, I suppose not.”

“You’re leaving in two days ?” Winter’s voice is frail and tiny, but I snag her hand on the table to soothe her. She pulls it back.

Cindy smiles shyly and takes a step away. She mouths the word sorry to me, her cheeks flaming red. Her date places his hand on her shoulder and leads her away.

“I actually wanted to talk to you about that.”

Winter sits back in her chair and crosses her arms. “That you’re going away before the new year? I thought we’d have New Year’s Eve together.”

“So, I thought that maybe you’d like to come with me?”

“Like for a month? Wouldn’t I be alone most of the time?”

Swallowing, I envision the life I have now and understand how much of it needs to change. If I want Winter as my wife… I can’t do it the way I did before. Not like I did to her mother. My hand pushes the ring box deeper into my pocket. “Yeah, but there’s lots of sight-seeing and shopping you could do.”

The waiter sets our food down and pops the champagne. She stares at it, all enthusiasm for the meal gone. “And we could have dinners out there? Like after work hours?”

My fingers twirl the stem of the glass. “Sometimes. Usually I need to socialize with the business associates until late, but maybe a few nights I could take you out and?—”

“I think I’ll stay here with Jan.”

Things grow silent at the table, and I know that I’ve ruined our date. She picks at her steak, and me at mine, but neither of us looks at the other.

“Shit.” A bread roll comes crashing onto the table as I peek up to see who threw it out there. “Sorry, sir. Oh! Winter, hey! ‘Sup!” Some busboy with earrings and bleached hair tosses his hip against the table, giving me his back as he ogles my girl.

“Hey, Blaze. I didn’t know you worked here.”

“Yeah, trying to save more money. You here with your dad?”

She delicately lifts her eyes to me and blinks away rapidly. “Well, I?—”

“I'm actually glad I saw you. There’s this thing , this party tomorrow night. If you’re not busy, I was wondering?—”

Slapping my hand over his that rests on our table, I try to contain my rage. “She’s busy, Blaze .”

Her jaw drops at my outburst, and the kid walks backward, shaking his head. Snapping out the words, she gives him a tiny smile. “I’m actually going to be wide open in January…”

Seething like a bull, I tell her, “No, you’re not.”

Ignoring the boy completely, she stares me down. “Yes, I am.” Before I can get another word out, she gathers her purse and coat and walks away, the idiot traveling right behind her.

“Winter! Stop!”

Tossing her ponytail over her shoulder, she tilts her head and tells me, “Blaze can take me home. Can’t you, Blaze?”

“I, uh…” he stammers and glances back at me.

Hurriedly grabbing my wallet, I find some hundreds and toss them on the table, abandoning my meal. I snag my coat and throw it on, then step between the two of them. “We’re going home. Blaze, I’m sure you’re lovely. But she’s very taken. And if I owe more than what I threw down over there, tell Carol to send me a bill.”

Grasping my little girl’s shoulders, I lead her toward the door. Maybe I’m being a bit of a brute, but things are getting out of hand.

“Stop pushing me!”

“Then move your ass, baby, or I’ll move it for you.” I cape her coat over her shoulders and press my front into her back, aiming for the car in the lot. Once she’s inside, she slaps my hands repeatedly, so I won’t buckle her belt. But I do it, anyway.

Once I’m inside, she stares out her window. “Winter, you are in for one big spanking. I don’t think I’ve ever been this angry with you.”

Whipping her head to me, she pouts. “Why? What did I do? I’m not really yours. Just here for a month, right? Then I should go away?”

“What? What are you talking about? I-I…”

Tears form and fall over her cheeks, and I grasp her hands in mine. They’re so cold, I start the engine and turn on the heater. “I just had these dreams… But I’m selfish if I ask you to give up yours for me.”

“You mean my business.”

She sniffs and drops her head so I can’t see her face. “Yes.”

Crooking a finger, I lift her chin. “Baby, I love you. I love you so fucking much. I want a life with you, and I don’t want to mess up this time. Let me take you home and explain.”

Almost in a whisper, she says, “You want a life with me?”

“Yeah. Of course. But we need to discuss it. Settle back and let’s go.”

I don’t release her hand the entire ride, and by the time we reach the tree in the living room, my heart is pounding again. Holding her waist, I turn her to face me and press my lips against her forehead. “I’ve been a workaholic, but I don’t need to be. Not now. I’ve got a substantial income and retirement. Most of my gigs I can do from home, but have always chosen to travel away.” With a heaving sigh, I tell her, “It’s time for me to hire a partner to send on the trips while I stay home with my wife…”

Her brow dips as she tries to figure out my meaning, but before she can say anything, I drop to one knee and bring out the princess-cut diamond ring Jake helped me pick out. When the box top pops open, she gasps and almost falls. I catch her by her left hand and hold the band at the tip of her finger. “Winter, I love you. I’ll give up everything for you to just be near me. If I get to spend every day with you, I want to stay home. I don’t want to stifle whatever dreams you may have, but someday, I’d love children with you, too. Will you marry me?”

Through clasped hands around her mouth, she nods and sobs. “Y-yes! Of course! Ben, you are my dream!”

Once I slide on the ring, I stand and gather her little body in my arms. Her face nuzzles my neck as she mumbles, “I love you, Daddy.”

“I love you, baby.”

As I reach down to kiss her, she pulls back and breathes against my mouth. “Daddy? I want to give you your Christmas present early…”

“What’s that?”

“Me. Will you fuck me now? For the first time?”

With a tiny laugh, I smile and say, “Yes. Absolutely.”