Chapter 9
nine
Asher
Holding Emma in my arms is now one of my favorite things. If you’d told me a week ago that I’d not only have a woman staying in my house but I’d be taking care of her, I’d have told you that you’d lost your mind. When I thought about my future, it never included a woman or a family—until now.
“I bet you’re hungry. Do you like pancakes, Raindrop?”
“You can cook? Oh wait, I forgot all of you take turns cooking, right?”
“Yup. Our mother made sure we could cook, manage the garden, and take care of the laundry. Everything we’d need to run a household. Mom said it was important we didn’t expect our wives to take care of us—that we’d be able to take care of each other.”
“Oh, love that. Very forward thinking, too.”
“Dad was, as well. That’s how we ended up on the mountain.
They hated it in LA and chose to run their company from here while being mostly off-grid—not that there was much of a grid back then.
We were homeschooled, but our curriculum covered more than the regular school subjects.
They prepared us for life. Though, none of us expected we’d be on our own so soon.
“What about those pancakes, baby? Or would you rather eggs?” I ask while getting her set up on the couch with her ankle propped up on the pillows Andrew brought over from the main house. She doesn’t know it yet, but this is where she’ll spend the next few days.
“Pancakes, please. Do you have any blueberries? I know they’re not in season…”
“As a matter of fact, I do have some in the freezer. So, blueberry pancakes?”
“Oh gosh, I’m so excited. It’s been years since I’ve had them, some of my best childhood memories are of Dad making them over the fire on our weekend camping trips.”
“Really? You’ll have to tell me about them.” I hesitate for a moment as I stand and check out her expression. Maybe talking about her family will upset her. That’s the last thing I want to do, so I quickly add, “Unless you don’t want to.”
“If you really want to hear about them, I think I’d like to tell you about them. My childhood was a little unconventional, but I loved it. We were together a lot, and I don’t really have any friends because of that.”
“I’d be honored to hear about them. If they raised you to love nature, I’m sure I’d have loved them.”
I catch Emma’s smirk as I turn away. “Who are you kidding, Ashbear? You don’t like anyone.”
I like you, Raindrop, but for now, I keep the words to myself and head into the kitchen to make breakfast.
“Coffee?”
“Yes, please. I take it with just a little milk, or black if you don’t have anything else.”
Coffee is one thing we are all snobs about. I could whip up something that would rival her favorite coffee shop. But if my little Raindrop wants a plain cup of coffee, that’s what she’ll get, even if she doesn’t know it’s made from the Kona beans I special order.
“Here you go. It’s hot, careful holding the mug, remember your hands.” I wiggle my eyebrows at her until she smiles.
“Okay, Daddy. I’ll be careful.” Her expression is priceless as she realizes what she just called me. When I don’t say anything, she mumbles, “Sorry,” then takes a sip of her coffee.
I’ve been a dominant for as long as I can remember, discovering my kink when I was away at college and joined the BDSM club. It was an eye-opening experience. Just one more reason I didn’t think I’d settle down with anyone. But her calling me Daddy feels right.
“No apology necessary, little Raindrop. I know you were kidding, but if, someday, you wanted to call me that, I wouldn’t mind.”
Emma’s jaw drops in shock, making me chuckle. Hopefully, I didn’t break her—that comes later, if she’s into it. First, I need to feed her before her stomach rumbles like it did last night.
While mixing up the batter for the pancakes, I think about what she said about having friends. There’s probably a story behind that, too. If anyone hurt her, I’ll have Adrian track them down for me. I’ll teach them a lesson about how to treat others.
It’s not lost on me that I wasn’t any better when she first met me. I’m wondering if the pull I feel is partly because of our similar upbringing. There aren’t too many families who prioritize a love of nature. Aside from security, it’s the other reason we keep the mountain so locked down.
Since the fire, my focus has been on keeping my family safe.
When they returned to the mountain, I became even more compulsive about keeping people off our land.
There wasn’t room for anything else. A relationship was never in the cards for me, especially spending as much time as possible alone in the wilderness.
A woman literally falling for me is the last thing I thought would happen.
Now she’s mine, even if she doesn’t realize it yet.
“You’re making bacon, too? Holy cow, that smells delicious. Are you sure I can’t help, Ashbear?” Emma asks from her spot on the couch.
“Nope, I’m good. It won’t be much longer. Do you need a refill?”
“Not yet. I feel weird sitting here while you cook.”
“Why don’t you read to pass the time? Your e-reader is on the end table. You should be able to reach it.”
“Are you sure…”
“One hundred percent. You’re not getting off that couch except to use the bathroom today.”
“You can’t make me.”
Of course I can, she just doesn’t realize it yet. “Hell, yes, I can. I’ll be happy to show you. Actually, if you get up without permission, I’ll put you in our bed and keep you there.”
“You wouldn’t.”
I look over at her after flipping the last stack of pancakes onto the plate. “Try me.”
Her huff is adorable as she crosses her arms and sits back against the soft cushions, giving me the stink eye. I stifle my laugh at her expression. I really hope she tests me.
She managed to feed herself last night, but I saw her wince when she grasped the fork too tightly in her wrapped hands. I’ll be feeding her today to avoid it, and I can’t wait to see how she reacts.
I drag the coffee table closer to the sofa, dropping off my mug and the pitcher of maple syrup. Back in the kitchen, I stack a plate with blueberry pancakes and bacon, then carry it into the living room and sit on the edge of the coffee table.
My Raindrop looks from the plate to my face. Her deep blue-green eyes reflect her curiosity.
“Do you like maple syrup?”
“Yes. But where’s my plate?”
I don’t answer at first, I just cover the pancakes in syrup and cut them into bite-sized pieces. “I hope you’re hungry. There’s more if we finish all of this.”
My girl isn’t stupid. She’s already figured it out when I hold the fork in front of her lips.
“I can feed myself.”
“Yes, you can, but you won’t. Not until your hands heal.”
“But I did it last night.”
“Do you think I didn’t notice every time you winced from holding the fork too tightly or having to cut up the meatballs?”
“C’mon, Asher. Don’t you think you’re taking this a bit far?”
“I don’t. My brothers won’t either. Want me to call and ask them?”
She shakes her head and sighs. “Fine. But I want it noted that I object to your bossy behavior.”
“You object, huh? Are you an attorney?”
“Nope, but I’ve been taking care of myself for a long time without any help. I can do it now.”
“I know, but that’s the thing, baby. You don’t need to. Plus, it’s my fault you’re in this position. Let me help you.” I release the breath I was holding when she leans forward and takes the bite of pancake from the fork.
“Oh my God. These pancakes are delicious.”
I don’t hide my smirk as I pick up a slice of bacon and hold it to her lips. She takes a bite and closes her eyes.
“This is so good, but it tastes different from what I’m used to.”
“Because we make it ourselves, curing it with our special seasoning.”
I’m not going to lie. My chest puffs up when her eyes grow wide.
“You really are a mountain man,” she says with awe.
“Are you full or do you want some more?” I ask after feeding her the last piece of bacon.
“I’m stuffed. If you keep feeding me like this, I’m probably going to gain ten pounds before I get off this couch.”
“It won’t matter. I’ll still carry you around.”
Her eye roll says everything.