My chest catches her sob. “I love you, too. I was turning around to come home. I’m sorry. I’m sorry—”
Moved by the revelation that this incredible girl loves me, too, I catch her chin and lift it. “You’re sorry, who?”
Awe transforms her expression, a new sparkle shining in her eye. “I’m sorry, Daddy,” she murmurs. “I won’t scare you again.”
Something clicks in place inside me. Something so unshakable, I have no problem meeting the truck driver’s eyes and daring him to comment. “Come on, girl.” I lay a possessive kiss on her mouth, letting my tongue taste her nice and deep. “Let’s get you home. We’ve got plans to make.”
Her hand slides into mine. “What plans are we making?”
“The kind that gets a ring on your finger.” I lift her knuckles to my mouth and kiss them, leading her to my truck. “And you in my life forever.”
Epilogue
Clara
A couple of weeks later…
I stare up at the house that I used to call home knowing my mother and stepfather are inside. I glance over at Rex. He gives my hand a little squeeze, reminding me he’s here with me.
“You don’t have to go in, Clara. I can get whatever you need.”
I bite my lip, debating it. The last few weeks have been wonderful, but I know I need to face them. They got home today from vacation and are already blowing up my phone wondering where I am. I have to tell them I’m moving out and that I’m going to be with Rex.
I know things are going to be bad and I don’t want my stepfather to be mean to Rex. I think I’m more worried about that than what he might say to me.
I push the new pink glasses Rex got me back up the bridge of my nose. He smiles then leans over and kisses me. I’ve been doing so much better now that I have them.
“You go in and get what you need. I’ll talk to them.” His words leave no room for argument, so I simply nod.
He hops out of the truck and makes his away over to my side. He unbuckles me then lifts me by my hips and places me on the ground.
He leans down and gives me another kiss. “Say it.”
“I love you, Daddy,” I answer, giggling. It’s my favorite thing to say and every time it makes him smile.
He leans against his truck as I go in the front door and shout a hello into the living room. No one is in there, and the place is quiet so I go straight up to my room. When I get there, I grab my bag out of the closet and go over to my dresser. I open the drawers and begin filling my bag with the things I know I don’t want to leave behind.
Looking around the room, I see the bed covered in stuffed animals and I’m going to have to decide which ones to take with me. Just as I’m walking over to pick a few out, my door creaks.
“Where have you been?” my stepfather asks as he walks into my room. His face is red and little sweaty. “Your mother has been worried sick.”
“Where is she? I need to talk to the two of you,” I say, trying to remember that I’m here to make peace. I want this to go well so that I can still have a relationship with them when it’s over.
“She went to the store. She’ll be back later.” He looks me up and down as he takes a step closer. “What are you wearing, Clara? You can’t really be walking around in public like that.”
His words hurt. I’m wearing a tank top and a skirt. I don’t have on a bra or panties, but everything is covered. Rex said I looked nice.
“You really are just a little girl with daddy issues. Desperate for attention. I should have snuck in here at night like I wanted to. I should have given you what you’ve been begging for. You waved that little pussy around all over the place. Hell, every man I brought over here asked for a turn.”
My eyes are wide with shock at his admission.
“Yeah, they offered me good money, too. I knew that sweet cherry of yours was tight and wet, but I turned them down. I did it to protect you.”
I look down at his pants and see his belt buckle is undone. Was he jerking off when I got home? His erection is tenting the front of his pants, and as he gets closer I trip over my feet and fall back on the bed trying to get away from it.
My legs fall open as my skirt flies up and his eyes dart to my bare pussy. I try to close my legs, but he grabs both my ankles so hard that I cry out.