Page 18 of A Very Grumpy Mountain Man

“Getting a bigger bed.”

She hums, her smile sleepy. “Mmm. Maybe someday.”

“Or…” I pause, brushing her hair back behind her ear. “You could move in with me.”

Her eyes open all the way, wide and startled. “Kye…”

I hold up a hand. “Hear me out. I hate that you’re still here. It’s cramped, it’s noisy, and I barely fit in this bed. My house has more space than I know what to do with. You could have your own room—or not. Whatever you want. I just… I want you there. With me.”

She’s quiet for a long moment, her gaze shifting to where our fingers are still twined on the blanket. “I can’t.”

I go still. “What do you mean you can’t?”

Sienna pulls her hand back gently and sits up, tugging the sheet with her. “I mean, it’s not that Idon’twant to. I just… you’re my boss, Kye.”

I stare at her, trying to understand the logic behind the words. My chest tightens.

“So?”

“So,” she says, her voice gentle, “what happens if this doesn’t work out? I lose my job. I loseeverything. And I can’t risk that, not right now. I just got here. I’m still figuring everything out.”

I nod slowly, feeling like I’ve been punched in the gut.

She’s still figuring things out.

I thought we wereit.

I lean back, the warmth from last night cooling fast. “Right.”

“Kye…”

I force a smile. “It’s okay. I get it.”

She doesn’t press, and I don’t push. I finish getting dressed, brushing her cheek with a kiss before grabbing my keys and helping her pack up for work.

We drive back to the cabin in silence.

Sienna hums along with the radio, tapping her fingers on her thigh like everything’s normal, but I sense her nerves.

How do I go back to before? How do I pretend everything is okay? Like we didn’t sleep together. Like I didn’t offer her everything and get told no.

And the worst part?

I know she didn’t mean to hurt me.

But that doesn't stop it from stinging.

By the time we pull into the driveway, I’ve got a knot in my stomach and a vise around my ribs.

We unload the car and head straight into the studio. Sienna unpacks tools and supplies like it’s just another day.

I’m quieter than usual. Not that it’s out of the norm for me, but this feels different. Heavy.

Sienna doesn’t seem to notice. Or maybe she does and doesn’t want to say anything.

I try to shake it off. We’ve got a few new pieces we picked up earlier in the week—an old rocking chair and a bookshelf that’s seen better days. Usually, I’d be excited to get started. But today?

I feel off. Unsteady.

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