Page 10 of Mountain Man Savior

“Just need to make sure. I need my woman happy and satisfied.” Bending down, he rested his forearms on the windowsill and stole a kiss. Too quick and leaving me wanting more.

“So, when will I see you?”

He didn’t tack on “again” because the “will” left no room for debate. We would see each other at some point, whether it was later today or tomorrow. And I liked that side of him. That he wanted me, my curves, poor driving habits and all.

“When do you want to see me?” I may consider myself independent and confident, but a girl still liked to be romanced a little. Didn’t need him thinking I was a sure thing, even if I was. Attempting to remain cool and collected, I failed as a smile overtook me.

“Well, it wouldn’t be an issue if you would just stay, but since you have a job, I’ll settle for as soon as you can get that cute little tush back here. And might as well pack up your stuff, because I’m not letting you go.”

Wind knocked right out of me. I’m sure I looked like a goldfish as I grappled to wrap my mind around his declaration. “Um, just like that, huh?”

“Just. Like. That. A smarter man than me once said, ‘When you find the one, lock her down and keep her close. Don’t let another man discover what a treasure your woman is. Stake your claim.’” There wasn’t a hint of humor on West’s face. He was dead serious.

“Who…who said that?”

“A well-known poet by the name of West Samuel Stafford. You may have heard of him. In fact, I believe you had the pleasure of seeing him in all his glory already.”

How was I supposed to process that? What if we wanted different things, like oh, crap…I loved him. Yes, his ability to wring multi orgasms from me ranked at the top of the man of my dreams list, but it’s been what, less than a full seventy-two hours since he saved me and now he’s talking about claiming me? But really, didn’t I already do some internal claiming of my own? So much to think about.

“Hold up. I know I’m irresistible and all, but we haven’t even talked about the big things in life.”

Still rocked, I needed time to figure out if he was teasing or just wanted my body.

“Like what? Hit me.” West asked so calmly, as if everything had already been decided.

“Like do you want to travel the world, have kids, and what’s your stance on Peeps? I don’t think I could be with someone who likes those awful concoctions. A travesty in the Easter confection space as far as I’m concerned.”

West took a moment, rubbed his chin before responding. “No, only if you do, and give me all the Peeps. I’ll save you from the ‘travesty.’ Now, what time can I expect you back here? I have a lot to make up for since a sweet thing waylaid me from my list yesterday.”

“Who are you and where did the real West go?” The reminder tone dinging from my cell. I can’t believe he hit me with this now.

“He’s always been here. And hey, I’m just a boy asking a girl to let him claim her.” That damn sexy grin would be the death of me. And maybe, just maybe, I’d say yes.

“So, I know you need to go. Take some time to think about it, about us, then come back here tonight.” He gave me a hard, fast kiss, smacked the roof of the SUV and with a mile wide smile waved me off as I drove away in a daze.

Did he just mangle a famous movie quote in order to convince me that his outward bossy, alpha persona might just be for the benefit of others and the real West, the wounded warrior who was creating something incredible, needed…wanted the connection we’d made to become permanent?

I needed to call my mom. Better yet, I needed to shower, change, and see Taya Davis-Rivera in person.

Several hours later,I cornered my mom in the office after she’d finished for the day at Full Plate. Her reaction wasn’t what I expected. I’d shared with her everything that had happened between West and me. Well, the PG version, okay, PG-13. But that’s as far as I’d go with mom. Dylan might get the R version.

She cried, then I cried, and we both wished Dylan was here. But I’d work on that tomorrow. She needed to get her globe-trotting butt back home, pronto.

“Remind me again how long it took you to figure out Beck was the one for you?” My mom’s features went all dreamy at the mention of her husband, who also was part mountain man like West.

Although we were young when she’d divorced our dad, I never recalled seeing that look on her face even during happier times. Not that I recalled many. Beck had been the best thing to come into her life. Both Dylan and I loved him.

“Lauren, the best advice I have is to follow your heart. Don’t listen to your head or your body because they often lie. And I don’t think you’ll argue with this bit since you’re stubborn beyond compare, but it doesn’t matter what I think, your sister, or even what West thinks.”

In that moment, I knew all I needed was to hear her say those words, confirming what I already knew. What my heart already knew. And now I had a lot to do.

“He sounds like a good man. Beck has spoken of him several times, and he’s beyond impressed with what West and his friends are doing. So, what does your heart tell you?” My mom’s smile told me she already knew what it told me.

I gave her a quick hug. “You’re the best.”

My mom’s words followed me as I headed for the building’s rear door, my SUV parked out back. “I know and I’ll take that as confirmation you’re going back to the lodge. Text me later with how West takes it, even though I suspect we’ll be adding a place at the holiday table this year.”

Once home, I packed enough to get me through the next few days and raced up the mountain. West had called it his mountain and it would soon be mine as well. Hope he was ready to drive me to work once the snow hit this winter. He’d already seen me in rainy weather, but what he didn’t know was I wouldn’t mind becoming a passenger princess once the roads were covered in ice and packed snow. I had always sucked at winter driving.

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