Page 10 of Caught with the Mountain Man

“I have flour,” she said, gesturing toward the kitchen.

“We’re going to make a great team.”

That brought the smile back to her face, and my spirits soared. Yes, this was definitely the beginning of something great.

5

SIMONE

Icame out of a bad dream about being in a fire to the smell of bacon and the sound of my dad’s voice. My eyes popped open and I looked around, trying to adjust to my surroundings.

This wasn’t my childhood bedroom, and I was far from my dad’s house. How could I possibly hear his voice?

Then I smiled as I remembered my mountain man. It must be him talking. But who would he be talking to?

As if in answer, I heard Grayson’s voice. Yeah, definitely different. I must have imagined that I’d heard my dad.

“Then you go wake her up.”

I bolted upright in bed at that. Definitely my father’s voice, and he was not happy. Worse, I was completely naked.

I lost track of the number of orgasms Grayson had given me before I finally drifted off to sleep, too exhausted to move. And now I was no longer a virgin, and my father had arrived to find Grayson in the cabin he owned.

Oh, shit. I was in big trouble. My heart started racing. I tossed the covers back and hopped out of bed, rushing to grab my clothes, which were folded on a chair in the corner.

Halfway through dressing, though, I froze and stared at the door. I was a grown woman who made her own decisions. Why was I afraid of getting in trouble? What was he going to do, ground me? Kick me out of his cabin? If he did the latter, I’d go stay somewhere. I made enough money to be my own woman now.

Knock, knock, knock.

“Simone?”

That was Grayson’s voice. It comforted me. He had my back, no matter what.

Also, he didn’t think less of me for using a few bad words or enjoying myself in bed. In fact, the more I enjoyed myself, the more aroused he got.

“Coming,” I said. “Give me two seconds.”

Silence on the other side of the door. I didn’t know what that meant. Then I heard voices, but I couldn’t make out what they were saying.

I had to get out there. I couldn’t leave Grayson to deal with this on his own. Taking a deep breath to steel myself, I finished dressing and headed to the door, jerking it open and preparing to take on whatever was on the other side.

It wasn’t what I expected. My dad was sitting on the couch, slumped forward, elbows on his thighs, hands clasped in front of him. Grayson stood near the kitchen, arms crossed over his chest, like a security guard waiting for trouble to break out.

I longed to go to him and feel his arms around me, as they’d been all night while we slept. But instead, I focused my attention on my father.

“What are you doing here?” I asked.

He looked up, and his expression wasn’t combative. Worse. Disappointment was clear in his eyes.

“I thought I’d stop by and take my girl out for breakfast,” Dad said. “But I guess you have other plans.”

I glanced toward Grayson, remembering the near fire from last night and the way he’d saved me. Did the house still smell like smoke? I wondered if my dad noticed.

“You’ve met Grayson?” I asked, looking back at Dad. “He lives next door.”

I paused. I could have left it at that, but I didn’t want to. No, Dad should know this was deeper than that.

“He’s my boyfriend,” I said, holding my breath and hoping Grayson wouldn’t freak out over me calling him that so soon.

---