Page 19 of The Wounded Mountain Man

He grins and runs his fingers through my hair near my ear. "Good. Because I want you to know I love you for who you are, Wade. You're a good person who's been through a rough time. You'll figure everything out. I believe in you."

I take a second to process what he's saying. I'm my own worst critic, and my self-talk over this past year has beenharsh, to saythe least. Tears well in my eyes. "Thank you. I needed to hear that."

"So…does this mean we're together?"

"I'd love that. If that's what you want?"

His entire face lights up, his blue eyes sparkling like the ocean on a summer's day. "It is." He takes my hand in his. "More than anything. And whatever you need, no matter how long it takes you to get on your feet, I want you to know I'm here for you. Okay?"

"Thank you." A single tear slides down my cheek. "Actually, there is one thing I've been meaning to ask you."

10

Logan

I smile to myself as I enter the common room, my heart overflowing with happiness. Yes, there's the fact that Wade and I finally got our shit sorted, talked, and are officially boyfriends—and quite possibly having the hottest sex known to humankind every night of the week.

But it's also this, seeing him here, hanging out with Tex and the others. I'm so glad he asked me a few nights ago if he could come to the next Drop-in Tuesday. "Of course," I told him. "You're welcome anytime, and I'm sure the guys would love it if you did."

I was right. Wade, Tex, and the others are chatting away over a game of pool, and I know they'll look after Wade and give him what he needs to heal and get his life back on track.

I spot Tex approaching and give him a wave. "Hi. How are you?"

"I'm good," he replies with a slightly larger than usual smile. "You seem extra happy lately, mister." His eyes drift over to Wade. "Please remember you're my best friend's son when you answer this question, but is there something going on between you and Wade?"

"Yeah. There is. We're together."

Tex is the first person I've told face-to-face. My parents and my brothers were all stoked, but that was all communicated via texts and messaging. It's nice to speak the words. It makes it more real somehow.

And even though it's still so new and fresh and there are a lot of details to figure out, my brain isn't overloaded or overwhelmed. I'm strangely calm. There's a feeling of rightness to it, tous, that overrides everything else. I'm trusting the universe that everything will fall into place in due course.

"I'm happy for you. Wade's a good guy."

"He is."

Tex turns to face me. "Listen. He's mentioned he's been helping out at Hattie's diner and that she's in dire need of more customers."

"Yeah. When the cafeteria opened here, it swallowed up a lot of their clientele."

"Hmm." Tex rubs his chin. "Leave it with me."

"Leave what with you?"

"Never mind. I should get back to the guys. I'll see you later."

"Yeah. See ya," I say, watching as he rejoins the guys. I have a meeting to attend, so I'll ask Wade what that was about later.

"Oh, hey, today at the center, did Tex mention anything about Hattie?"

Wade stops pounding me. "Seriously, you're asking me this while I'm balls-deep inside you?"

I wince, grateful we're fucking doggy-style so he can't see my face. "Sorry. Bad timing. It just popped into my head." I look over my shoulder and give a sly grin. "Or maybe you're getting lazy and resting on your laurels." His eyes widen, but I keep teasing. "Stop relying on that nine-inch dick, buddy."

"Oh. I'll show you lazy."

He yanks my hair and starts fucking me aggressively. "You like that?"

I arch my back and groan. "Fuck, yeah."

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