Chapter Fifteen

Shawn

It's after eight, but the sun is still out and warm as night descends upon Lake Thunderbird.

It's a fairly big body of water. It often has a crimson tint—thanks to that Oklahoma red dirt—but the thick trees that surround it make it pretty.

There are still boaters out there, but the shoreline is nice and quiet, giving me room to think.

I pick up a rock and absentmindedly toss it into the water, watching the ripples appear, pulsate out, and then fade.

I wish my thoughts of that little cutie would fade, too. But they won't. They're only growing stronger.

I can't believe I let go like that back at the restaurant. You'd think I have better self-control than that. I'm only a surgeon, for goodness' sake.

There's just something about Willow, though. It's like I'm unhinged. As if I'm actually considering her and I being together. And not just for a fling, either.

I'm talking about being together.

Making her mine. For the rest of my life.

I hear a splash nearby and look to see a turtle pushing itself off a rock and into the water. It swims away, and the water goes back to normal moments later.

The songs of birds compete with the high pitch clicking of cicadas. In the distance, I can hear the rumble of a boat engine, but it doesn't come close.

I have plenty of privacy to think. That turtle didn't seem to mind my presence, and no one else is within sight.

Why am I actually entertaining these notions? Nothing good will come of this. What would our families think? My son? Willow's sister? Her parents?

If I was her dad, I'd be livid. He'd have every right to hate me. Some middle-aged guy coming for his young daughter.

But surely they'd eventually see that I love her.

She'd be safe with me. Safer than she's ever been. I'd love her the way she deserves. I'd protect and guide her. I'd be the Daddy she needs. The one she craves.

Even though a powerful lust is stirring deep within me, I know this isn't about just wanting to stretch that little girl's pussy.

No. This is more. So much more.

I'm talking about actual love. A powerful love that's strong enough to make me risk everything—everything—to make her mine.

As I stare out at the water and the slight waves lapping against the jagged, ancient rocks, I realize that I can't fight this. Not any longer. I think it would literally kill me.

I have to give in. I have to make her mine.

I turn away and hurry back up the gentle slope, my boots crunching the pebbles and clumpy grass beneath them as I hike back to my truck.

It's time to get my little girl.

Hold on, honey. Daddy's coming.