Page 15 of Destined for the Mountain Man

“I don’t know ... I think we have to try it together,” I hint with a giggle.

Grant pulls me onto his lap and kisses my neck. “I’ll never say no to showering with you, baby. Sex or not.”

“So it’s my shower singing that gets you,” I murmur.

“I’ve learned so many songs. It was awkward when I started singing that Bruno Mars song at work,” he grumbles.

“I bet you sounded great.”

He smiles at me, his eyes so soft and welcoming thatnotkissing him isn’t an option. He kisses me back and rubs my side. “What other soaps do you have for me?”

“This one is scent free,” I point to a white soap. “I really want to get one that smells like French toast but isn’t overwhelming, which is really hard with cinnamon and I don’t want to put actual cinnamon in the soap.”

He lets me ramble, looks at options, and just as we’re talking about a whole breakfast set (minus eggs), there’s a knock on the door. I blink and look at Grant. His friend Mike has come over twice and insisted on a game night, but he always lets us know before showing up.

“Is that Mike?” I ask.

Grant lifts me and shakes his head. “No.”

I follow him to the front door, but he stays in front of me. One of his hands stays on the door as he looks at the lean, yet muscular guy standing in front of him. I don’t know him. I shrug when Grant looks at me.

“Who are you?” Grant demands, voice hard, one fist curled at his side like he’s ready to throw a punch the second the guy causes a problem, which is clearly what Grant’s expecting.

“I’m here for her. George Henry, bounty hunter and P.I. I’m bringing her back home or going to the police to file kidnapping charges,” he informs.

I gape. The guy is smug, confident, and has the audacity to reach out to me. “I have legal backing on this. Charlotte Aldridge, you’re coming with me.”

“No, I’m not,” I sputter.

“You’re notforcingher anywhere. Get off my fucking porch and don’t show up again or you’ll deal with more than a hand in your face,” Grant snarls. I remember him mentioning he has three guns in the house.

But that protective look on his face, his arm stretching out in front of me, proves he’s not letting a single persontakeme from him.

When the guy starts to talk, Grant steps forward. “Maybe you didn’t hear me. No. You’re nottakingher.”

“And I’m not going anywhere,” I say, speaking up thanks to that hard as steel look.

The guy snorts. “Your parents insist on it. I have all the rights of a guardian and-”

Grant’s low voice is unmoved, sharp, and daring the man to cross him, to give him a reason. I’m molten just watching him. He’s willing to teach me, protect me, and stand up formydecisions like no one I’ve ever met. “She came here by her own free will and that’s how she’ll be leaving, if she decides to leave.”

“Her parents haven’t been able to reach her for nearly a month. They came home and she was gone. Just a piece of paper with some stupid lines about freedom. You expect me to believe that she left a privileged life for this?” the guy scoffs. “Please.”

I grip Grant’s hips, trying to remind him I’m right here.

“I’m not letting you take her,” Grant says while taking a menacing step forward.

I glance up at my boyfriend and see him glowering at the P.I. intensely. The man starts to shrink before my eyes. From a threat to a cowering dog. I step forward over the door, keepingone hand on Grant. I know he won’t hurt the guy without a reason, but I also know I need to stand up for myself.

Grant moves with me, shutting the door behind us, staying right at my side, one hand on my back, one at his side. I don’t have to see it to know he’s ready to fight. Grant will toss me over his shoulder, inside, and send this man back with his tail between his legs.

Already the guy looks like he’s ready to run.

“I’m not leaving. I’m an adult. I choose what I want, and I want to stay,” I say without wavering.

“Charlotte,” the man starts.

“No. Even if I knew you, I’d say the same. Feel free to tell my father I’m happy, I’ve moved out, and I won’t be coming back,” I say.

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