Page 23 of Collision of Winters (Hillcroft Group #4)

Daddy had opted for tonight’s special, grilled halibut with roasted asparagus and sunchoke puree. “I’ve never had a bad meal here,” he said. “Last time, I tried their chowder and their rockfish tacos. Incredible.”

I smiled and broke off a piece of bread. I did remember that Wade was a foodie. He liked to try new restaurants back home.

“How often do you come up here?” I wondered.

“I try to come once a year,” he replied. “When I was at my worst a few years ago, I spent almost six months here.” He picked up his glass of wine. “Can you see yourself visiting with me in the future?”

“Of course. I like Alaska.” I nodded. “You’ve already promised to take me fishing next time, remember?”

“I remember.” He smiled back. “What other vacation destinations are on your list? I’m sure you have one.”

I laughed. I always had lists! “Well, I’ve been badgering Chris. I wanna see his villa in Italy.”

“Not at the moment, you don’t,” he chuckled.

“It’s in shambles. He sent me pictures last time he was there, and never mind that there’s no power or running water yet.

The house doesn’t have windows, one exterior wall is literally missing, there’s debris everywhere, and the staircase was rotten all through. ”

Oh, yikes. “Okay, so maybe we’ll wait,” I snickered. “I would love to visit Switzerland. I bet the snowboarding is badass there.”

We’d gone skiing and snowboarding a lot over the years, though mostly when I was younger.

Dad and Chris had taught me how to snowboard, and Wade was an excellent skier.

We’d been to Aspen, Whistler, and Innsbruck, all before I’d turned fifteen.

After that, my problems had gotten bigger.

I’d struggled too much with school, so I’d become silent and defensive.

I’d stopped coming along for family vacations…

I dropped my gaze to my food, struck by the same kind of guilt as before when I talked to Dad.

“Hey.” Wade reached out and put his hand on mine. “What happened there?”

I chewed on my lip. And for the first time, I realized how badly I wanted to be honest and tell him what was wrong. A week ago, I would’ve clammed up. A few days ago, I would’ve had to force myself to speak up. But not anymore.

“I feel super guilty for how I pushed everyone away for so long,” I admitted.

“Like, I would create excuses to get out of family stuff, partly because it was exhausting to pretend I didn’t want to get closer to you, and partly because I was constantly afraid you’d see through me.

And, once you saw through me, you’d distance yourselves from me, and then a bunch of memories from family vacations and adventures would hurt even more to let go of. ”

“Sweetheart, we—” He took a breath and shook his head.

“The thing is, Quinlan and I already know all this. Chris, too, for the record. We’ve shared so many theories over the years, and regardless of what we landed on at the time, we always knew you kept your distance because of the demons you felt the need to handle on your own.

” He lifted my hand and kissed my knuckles briefly.

“Don’t feel guilty, whatever you do. All right?

We only want you to finally live the life that will make you happy. ”

Damn, he was good. Almost too good.

The unease in my stomach faded some.

“ You make me happy,” I murmured.

He kissed my hand again. “You make me happy too. You even made me look forward to returning to everyday life, because I’ll have you with me.”

I had to rub my cheeks and jaw, because all this smiling was starting to hurt.

“Is it weird that I want the normal stuff?” I asked. “Like, doing everyday stuff together—grocery shopping, running errands, meeting up for lunch.”

He shook his head and ate some more. “Not weird at all. I’m craving the same thing. As much as I need the kink component, it’s not more important than the vanilla.”

I felt the same way.

After dinner and a big, delicious dessert, Daddy and I walked outside. I was so, so full, but it didn’t stop me from cracking open a new Push Pop lollipop. I sucked that sucker like a pro as we trailed down the steps.

Could it really be called a log cabin just because it had that style and materials? It was more like a log mansion.

Other guests were gathering in the courtyard, but considering their cameras were aimed at the night sky, I had a feeling they weren’t waiting for the pups to be released.

Daddy zipped up my coat all the way.

“What’re they looking at?” I wondered, pointing to the small crowd.

He righted my beanie also. “I’m assuming the lights are out.” He squinted up at the sky and nodded a little, then pointed up. “See the white streak there? If you look at it through your phone, I’m sure it’s green.”

Oh! I’d seen the northern lights once in Canada, but they had been visible without gadgets. I’d heard about the weaker events looking more like clouds, though.

I glanced around the courtyard and the buildings that surrounded it. According to that Patrick guy, they had outbuildings for parties, activities, and staff. All in the same style, log cabins of different sizes.

“Where are the puppies, Daddy?” I sucked on my lollipop.

He checked his watch. “Declan and his husband should be here any minute. They said around nine PM.” He grabbed my hand and gestured at a firepit area framed by logs you could sit on. They had a fire going. “Let’s go over there. I think that’s where they’ll be.”

I loved how the snow crunched under our boots. It was a cozy sound, because it was like a prelude to a warm bed, an open fire, and birthday sex with my Daddy. Maybe cocoa afterward too.

“Oh, look.” Daddy went over to the corner of the firepit area and picked up a…what was that? Oh, it was a pelt for sitting on. “This should keep your bottom warm.” He sat down on the log while he dropped the pelt on the snowy ground between his feet. “Come here, my little puppy brat.”

I grinned when I realized what he was doing. He knew me well. He knew I’d get on the ground the moment the puppies arrived, and now he could keep me close.

It turned out to be the perfect spot for me! The caribou pelt was soft and warm, and I was caged in by my Daddy, who kept dropping kisses to the top of my head.

I peered up at him and puckered my lips, and he dipped down and kissed me.

Amusement trickled in. “You taste like strawberry.”

I held up my Push Pop. “Wanna taste?”

He shook his head. “I’d rather taste it on you.” He kissed my forehead next. “Maybe I’ll run that lollipop all over your body later. How does that sound?”

“Sticky,” I laughed.

“I’m okay with you being sticky?—”

I gasped the instant I heard yappy little barking noises coming closer. It had to be the puppies!

For whatever reason, Daddy found my reaction funny, and he hugged me to him.

“Sit still, baby,” he laughed quietly.

I couldn’t! I scrambled to my knees, at least. I stared toward the opening between two buildings, and I was rewarded mere seconds later when one, two, three… Holy crap, seven pups! Seven pups came barging toward us, and they were attached to really long leashes. Two men were holding said leashes.

Being smart and stuff, Daddy grabbed my lollipop from me and put on the cap.

Oh my gosh, they were so freaking adorable!

The puppies tumbled over the logs; two struggled, so one of the men had to help them.

The two men clearly knew Daddy, because the three jumped straight into, “Nice to see you again, Wade,” “Long time no see, buddy,” and such things. I simply couldn’t pay attention, because I suddenly had four precious Husky puppies climbing my lap.

“I know we just met, but I love you, I love you, I love you, I love you,” I gushed.

“…and this is my Kayden,” I heard Daddy saying. “Kayden, Declan and Quinn O’Connor.”

Oh. Like the name of the retreat. Of course.

I smiled and reached up to shake their hands, ’cause I was by no means getting up off the ground for as long as I had puppies climbing me.

“Nice to meet you both,” I said. “Does anyone object if I steal a few of the pups?”

Quinn chuckled. “I know the feeling.”

Declan smirked a little at his hubby. “I don’t know how many times you’ve said just one more .”

Seriously. How could anyone resist?

I shifted my gaze to Daddy, who was watching me with amusement in his eyes.

“We’re gonna have to talk about this when we get home,” I told him. “Sooner or later, four will become five.”

He rumbled a chuckle and combed his fingers through my hair. “We can absolutely discuss it. Given my history, I’m not great at saying no to another dog.”

I gave him a hundred points for that answer!

Daddy could keep his hobby of staring into a fire while doing nothing. My new hobby was to stare into the fire while Daddy fucked me from behind.

I wouldn’t call it a peaceful pastime, but it sure stopped me from thinking about much else!

I grunted as he slammed in harder, and I had to fist the sheets and push back as much as I could. If he became more forceful, he’d catapult me off the bed.

The fire in the corner crackled and cast a warm glow over the room, and whenever I looked at Daddy over my shoulder, he was so sexy that I had to look away again. ’Cause I wasn’t ready to come yet. But…it was impossible not to sneak glances at him.

The next time I did it, we locked eyes, and I saw the absolute hunger and so much affection in his gaze. He was on a mission to drive me crazy! Over and over, he drilled his cock deep into my bottom, and he knew just how to intensify the pleasure with fiery pain.

“Do you like taking my bottom, Daddy?” I asked, out of breath.

He exhaled and tightened his grip on my hips, and then he hauled me back. “Do I like it…?”

I moaned and sank down on him.

“I’m addicted already,” he murmured in my ear. “Daddy will be doing this a whole lot. Whenever he feels like it.”

I screwed my eyes shut as a ball of stingy bliss shot through me. “Even if I say no?”