Page 37 of Entangled with a Mountain Man

The murmurs around the diner grow louder, and judgmental looks thrown Kenzie's way. I watch as her earlier joy crumbles.

Something in me snaps. The sight of Kenzie, shoulders hunched, eyes glistening with unshed tears - it's too much. Before I know what I'm doing, I'm on my feet.

"Girls, stay here," I growl, my eyes never leaving Kenzie's face.

I march across the diner, my heart pounding in my ears. Every instinct screams at me to protect her, to shield her from this undeserved cruelty. I've faced down enemies in war zones, but right now, nothing seems more important than reaching Kenzie.

With each step, something shifts inside me. All the walls I've built, all the distance I've tried to maintain cracks under the weight of the scene in front of me.

I reach Kenzie's table just as Paige opens her mouth for another attack. Without a word, I cup Kenzie's face in my hands, our eyes locking for a brief, electric moment. Then, I kiss her.

The kiss electrifies my entire being, a surge of raw energy coursing through my veins. Initially, Kenzie's body tenses, but only for a moment before she yields to me, her hands grasping my shirt. As our lips meld together, my pent-up desires and frustrations consume me, and I forget why I'd initiated this kiss.

The softness of her lips and the warmth of her skin beneath my palms consume my every thought. I deepen the kiss, reveling in the feel of her mouth against mine, her taste, and the scent of her hair.

I'm aware of the room around us, the buzz of conversation, and the clatter of dishes, but all of it fades into the background. There's only Kenzie and me, our lips moving together, my hands wrapping around her waist, pulling her closer.

She tastes like sweet tea and heaven, and I can't get enough. I want to devour her and erase the distance I’ve foolishly tried to maintain between us.

Her hands slide up my chest, her fingers splaying across my shoulders, and I feel her press closer, her body fitting perfectly against mine. I sense her surrender, her willingness to trust me, and it's both humbling and exhilarating.

My need for her overtakes me, and I'm powerless to stop it. This kiss isn't just about desire. It's about publicly claiming she's mine. And that to get to her, they'll have to deal with me.

Our tongues dance, and I feel her response in the way she moves against me, her breath coming in sharp gasps.

The kiss is hungry and passionate, and if we were alone, it would end with her beneath me.

I know I should pull away, but I can't bring myself to do it. Not yet. I want to savor this moment and the way she makes me feel alive like I haven't in a long time.

When we finally break apart, I see the tears glistening in Kenzie's eyes. And I hear one of my girls whispers, “Daddy kissed Miss Kenzie.”

I did, and I don't regret it. In fact, I want to do it again. I lean in to capture her lips again when I remember we have an audience. And Paige.

I turn back to Paige, who looks like she's been slapped.

"If I ever hear you talking to Kenzie like that again," I say, my voice low and deadly serious, "you'll have me to deal with. Understood?"

Paige opens her mouth, then closes it again, apparently at a loss for words. Without waiting for a response, I turn back to Kenzie. Using my thumb, I gently wipe away a tear that's escaped down her cheek.

"Let's get out of here," I murmur, taking Kenzie's hand. It feels small in mine, but there's strength there too.

She nods, still seemingly unable to speak. I lead her through the diner, calling out to the girls as we pass. "Harper, Hazel, let's go."

They scramble out of the booth, hurrying after us as we make our way to the truck. Once outside, I take a deep breath, the fresh air helping to clear my head.

What the hell did I just do?

The girls are staring at us, their eyes wide with a mix of confusion and excitement. I need to think fast.

We don't stop until we reach the truck. The cool air is a shock after the diner’s heated atmosphere. The girls catch up, their eyes darting between me and Kenzie, questions written all over their faces.

"Get in the truck," I tell them, my mind racing. I need to think fast to make sense of what just happened.

I turn to Kenzie, taking in her crimson cheeks and her slightly swollen lips. A surge of possessiveness rushes through me, surprising in its intensity.

"Come work for me," I blurt out, the words escaping before I can think them through.

Kenzie's eyes widen, her mouth opening in shock. For a moment, we stand there, the weight of possibility hanging between us.

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