Page 51 of Entangled with a Mountain Man

"You know, when I first saw you at that bus station, I'll admit I made some assumptions," he says, his deep voice low and even. "The way Ian introduced you, the scene Paige caused... I figured you were just another complication in my already messy life."

I open my mouth to protest, but he holds up a hand, silencing me.

"But then you handled my daughters with such patience and kindness. You didn't have to step in, but you did. And the more I watched you with them, the more I realized..." He trails off, shaking his head slightly. "You're not what I expected at all, Mackenzie Duncan."

My breath catches in my throat at the unexpected compliment. I search his face for any hint of mockery but find only sincerity.

"Thank you," I manage, my voice a little thicker than I'd like. "That... that means a lot, coming from you."

He nods, then leans forward again, resting his forearms on the desk. The movement draws my gaze to the corded muscles of his arms, and the way his shirt stretches taut across his broad shoulders.

That man is my boss! I scold myself, dragging my eyes back up to his face.

But he's watching me with that same intense look, like he knows exactly where my mind just went. There's a new heat in his eyes now, a smoldering spark that has my pulse kicking up a notch. The same heat I saw before he kissed me.

"So," he rumbles, his voice taking on a lower, huskier tone. "Tell me more about this 'angel' I've hired to look after my girls."

I swallow hard, my mouth suddenly dry. The way he's looking at me, the promise in those words... it's like he's undressing me with his eyes, inch by scorching inch.

Two can play at that game, Logan.

Slowly, deliberately, I set my own mug aside and lean back in my chair, crossing one leg over the other. The denim of my jeans stretches taut across my thighs, and I don't miss the way his gaze flickers down, then back up again.

"Well," I drawl, letting just a hint of a Southern lilt creep into my voice. "I'm a hard worker, that's for sure. Loyal to a fault, some might say. But I also know how to have a good time when the work's done."

I pause, letting my eyes roam over him in an obvious once-over. "And I do love a challenge."

His jaw tightens, a muscle ticking in that chiseled cheek of his. But his eyes... they're practically smoldering now, burning with a heat that has me squirming in my seat.

"Is that so?" he murmurs, his voice a low rumble that vibrates straight through me. "Well, Miss Duncan, I'll be sure to keep you... occupied."

The way he says that last word, all dark promise, and unspoken innuendo, has a flush creeping up my neck. I fight it back with a saucy grin.

"I'm counting on it, Mr. Logan."

We lapse into silence then, the air buzzing between us. But it's not uncomfortable, not really. If anything, it feels... charged.

Alive with possibility.

My gaze drops to his mouth, those full lips that I can still feel pressed against mine from that unexpected kiss. I wonder what they'd feel like now, in this quiet moment between us.

Soft? Demanding? A perfect blend of the two?

The electricity flutters south, and I squeeze my thighs tighter.

Everett clears his throat, and I snap my eyes back up to meet his heated stare. He caught me, and he doesn't look the least bit sorry about it.

This man—this gruff, brooding, impossibly handsome man—is going to be trouble for me. Big trouble.

But as a slow, wicked smile curves his lips, I can't find it in me to care.

Bring it on, Everett Logan, I think, holding his smoldering gaze.

"You planning on keeping me company all morning?" he asks, breaking me out of my thoughts.

I feel my cheeks heat up. Caught still staring like a schoolgirl with a crush.

"Just making sure you're not gonna fall asleep face-first in that fancy computer of yours," I stand, trying to cover my embarrassment. "What are you working on, anyway?"

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