Page 7 of Protected By the Mountain Man

I lean over her before spreading her legs, pink pussy still glistening with the aftermath of her release. I bet she will look even better filled with me. All in good time.

I drag the warm washcloth through her folds, giving extra attention to her most sensitive spots. She relaxes at my touch and I’m glad to see that she’s growing more comfortable with each moment we spend together.

I toss the cloth into the hamper beside her bed and crawl back in beside her, pulling her into my side once again. I can see how heavy-lidded her hazel eyes have become, and I suddenly feel like I could sleep soundly beside her, too. A rarity for me. Ever since I got back from Afghanistan, I’ve had trouble sleeping through the night. But something about Ava makes me feel like a restful night is possible.

“Sleep, honey,” I say, running my hand through her waves. “I’m gonna be right here, all night long.”

“I’d like that,” she says softly before curling deeper into me. I listen as her breathing steadies and feel myself drifting off beside her.

What feels like only a few moments, but what must be hours later, I’m awoken by Ava gasping next to me. I hear her sit up, breathing fast and shallow like something horrible must have happened. I sit up next to her and see tears pooled in her eyes. I am filled with fear, unsure of what could’ve happened to make her react this way.

“I’m sorry,” she says through near sobs. “I get nightmares… ever since the fire. That I left the stove on and burned my childhood home to the ground, lit a candle and set my greenhouse on fire. It’s silly and irrational, but I can’t seem to shake them.”

I’m instantly filled with sympathy for this beautiful, brilliant woman. “I know the feeling,” I say, reaching out to rub circles on her back to calm her down. “I know I told you I was in the military. But with my deployments, I saw some horrible things. People blown apart, children left orphans, horrible, horrible injuries that still keep me up at night. I get nightmares too,” I finish, feeling a sense of relief at getting that off my chest.

“I’ve found that making sure I’m relaxed before bed, that I’ve done something for myself, really helps ease them. I was actually worried I was going to get one here with you tonight, but I think you’ve helped calm me,” I continue, meeting her eyes. Tears still well, but they’re beginning to melt away.

“Really?” she asks, reaching out her hand and twining her fingers through mine. The gesture makes me smile, like it was natural to her.

“Really. Is there anything I can do to calm you down?” I ask, not wanting to be pushy but wanting her to be the peaceful woman I fell asleep beside more than anything.

“Can you just talk to me? I know this is going to sound bad, but knowing I’m not the only one who experiences this kind of…”

“PTSD,” I fill in for her. “It’s perfectly reasonable for you to feel this way, honey. I was there, that fire would have haunted me for life too. But you’re not alone now. I’m here with you.”

“Thank you, Scott. For opening up to me, for being so patient with me tonight. I don’t know what I did to deserve you,” she leans back, hand still tangled in mine and I roll on my side next to her, placing gentle strokes down her neck, hoping to calm her nervous system.

“I don’t open up to a lot of people,” I say, “but with you, Ave, it’s easy.” She smiles at the easy use of the nickname.

“Same for me, Scotty,” she says, and I melt at the name.

I keep talking, telling her about growing up in the next town over, about always wanting to move to Cedar Ridge, and finally having the chance when I got out of the military. I tell her about the veteran’s group and becoming fast friends with Ethan, about opening up the brewery and running around like a mad scientist for a year trying to find out the best blends for our beers and ciders. I talk until my voice is hoarse and she’s long asleep, but getting the words out feels so good. So right with her beside me.

Eventually, I fade off again, content next to the woman of my dreams.

***

The smell of cinnamon eases me awake. I crack open my eyes to see Ava pulling a pan out of the oven. She’s wrapped in a soft green robe that stops just above her knees, her chestnut hair piled in a messy bun on top of her head. She places the pan on top of the stove and turns towards me, smiling when she sees I’m awake.

“Those smell amazing,” I say, rubbing at my eyes. “Get over here, honey.”

She follows directions, laying on the bed beside me before I pull her on top of me. “How are you feeling?” I ask, looping my arms around her.

“Much better. I slept like a baby after we talked. Thank you for that,” she says, planting a quick kiss on my lips. I pat her ass in acknowledgement. “How are you? Did you sleep okay?”

“Best sleep I’ve had in years,” I say. “What did you bake?”

“Cinnamon rolls. My mom’s recipe, she always used to make them on our first morning back in Cedar Ridge, so it felt fitting,” she says with a smile.

“I can’t wait to taste one. But first, I need to taste you again.” I quickly roll us so she’s below me and she lets out a yelp that lets me know she’s having fun, no longer the scared woman who woke up in the middle of the night. I want to see more of this carefree Ava, and I know just how to get it.

I untie her robe, breaking into a wicked grin when I see she is completely naked beneath it. I run a finger through her center, “Ready for me already?” I say, winking up at her. She turns red, embarrassed at her immediate arousal.

“Hey, never, ever be ashamed of being turned on,” I say, gripping her chin so she has to look at me. “It’s natural. And it makes me happy that it’s all for me.”

I plant a fierce kiss on her lips, prying her mouth open with my tongue and devouring her. Our tongues mingle and I’m struck again by how right this feels, how desperately I need her.How desperately I’ll always need her.

I lower myself to her core before swirling her clit with my tongue, taking long, languishing strokes like I’m enjoying an ice cream on a hot summer’s day. She’s better than the best ice cream I’ve ever had.

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