Page 21 of Beast of Misty Mountain

“After that, I promised myself I’d never feel that kind of loss again. No close friends, no woman to call mine. I came here, built my cabin, and kept people at arm’s length. I take construction jobs when I’m running low on cash. It’s all I’ve needed.” I look up and meet her gaze. “Then I found you in my bed, insisting you weren’t going to leave because you had a lease.”

She swallows. “Oh, Milo. How come you never shared any of this?”

“It’s all too painful to even think about, much less put to words. I’m sorry.” I run a hand through my hair. “But needing you scares me more than RPGs ever did. That night in the cabin, I felt you under my skin, right against my heart—inmy heart. But then I panicked so fast, and I couldn’t breathe. I shut down because I was suddenly certain I’d lose you, too.”

I pause and look at Marilee. The anger in her eyes is gone, replaced by a weary sadness.

“I’m tired of living like a ghost,” I say, voice low. “I miss you. I miss your body against mine so bad it aches.”

A flush climbs her cheeks, but she doesn’t pull back when I reach for her hands.

“I keep remembering waking up and finding you gone,” I confess, “and it feels like the convoy all over again—somethingexploding, and I wasn’t able to stop it. Everyone I love ends up a name on a headstone,” I whisper, the words tearing loose. “I couldn’t live with myself if I lost you, if you leave.”

Marilee leans in and puts her hands in mine. “I’m alive, Milo. I’m right here, sitting across this table from you and breathing.” She places one of her hands over her chest. “Fear is a part of life, but you can’t let it rule your life. You need to talk to the people you care about—especially when things are hard.”

“I’ll tear the walls down,” I promise. “I’ll prove myself to you. And I’ll do it every damn day for the rest of my life.” I tighten my grip on her hand. “I’m done running, Marilee. Give me another chance, so I can do this right.”

She squeezes my hands, eyes shining, and nods. “Show me, Milo. Day by day.”

I’m on my feet before I know I’ve moved. Marilee’s hands are still laced with mine, and I pull her up so that we’re standing together.

“Stay with me, Marilee,” I say, cupping her face gently in my hands. “Not for a week. Not for the summer. Stay for good—cabin, town, all of it. I’ve spent years pretending I didn’t need anyone. I thought if I kept the world at arm’s length, I wouldn’t have anything to lose, and I wouldn’t hurt again. But now I have an idea of how good life could be, and I want with everything in my soul to have that chance—with you. You are the one who made me believe I could have happiness.”

Marilee studies my face, eyes wide and shining. She steps closer, reaching up and resting her hand on my jaw. “Okay, Roomie,” she says, shyly smiling up at me. Then she kisses me, and my heart thunders in my chest.

Heat floods my body, sharp and sweet. I slide my hands down to her waist, loving the feel of the curve of her hips, the strength in the way she presses closer. Desire burns through my blood, but deeper than that is a fierce, aching tenderness. I will love this woman with everything I have to give.

Hank shoulders through the cheering crowd. He pokes a thick finger in front of my face, but his eyes aren’t angry. “You break her heart, Adamson, and I’ll rain hellfire.”

I don’t flinch. I feel stronger right now than I ever have before. “Not happening. I love her.”

CHAPTER 11

MARILEE

See you Tuesday, Marilee?”

Hank’s voice catches me off guard. I straighten from wiping the bar.

“You still want me?” The question jumps out before I can cage it. Old doubts are slow to die.

Hank plants his reading glasses on his nose and bends over the till, counting crumpled bills and tallying on a notepad. Finally, he snaps the drawer shut and looks up. “You’re the best worker I have,” he says. “If there’s one thing Beast and I have in common, it’s that we don’t want to let you go. Job’s yours for as long as you want it. Tessa’s good, but I’m not sure how long she’ll be here.”

He sticks out a hand. I reach for a shake, but he pulls me up into a bear hug that makes me choke up. When he sets me down, he puts his hands on my shoulders.

“I’m glad you’re staying, Marilee. If he,” Hank nods to where Milo has been sitting while I finish my shift, “gives you any guff, you let me know, and I’ll take care of it.”

“Thanks, Hank. But I think I have it under control now.” I smile.

The heavy knot that lived in my chest since I came here, thinking I’d never find love or a place I felt comfortable, is gone. In its place is newfound love and a found family that is more than I ever dreamed I’d find. This was supposed to be a summer job, and now Misty Mountain is home.

I hang the rag, wipe my palms on my jeans, and head for the jukebox. Milo leans against the dark cabinet, arms folded, boot heel hooked on the base. His eyes track me the whole way, soft and steady, like he’s scared to let me out of his sight.

“Hank hired me full-time!” I blurt, bouncing on my toes.

He smiles as he pushes off the jukebox and gathers me in his arms. “Of course he did.” He dips his head so only I can hear. “Ready to go home?”

Heat curls low in my belly. “Yes.” I turn to him, heart so full it almost hurts. “Thank you for fighting for us.”

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