Page 45 of Orphan Girl's Mountain Men

"Yeah. I loved her very much."

The only hitch comes in the second week. Up until then, Reed has pretty much left me alone. We meet at breakfast and dinner and sometimes pass each other during the day, but we're usually too busy to do much more than exchange a few words. He flirts, sure, but he hasn't taken it further.

Then, at the end of a particularly long and tiring day, I open the door to the guest cabin where I'm housed—and there he is, as large as life, lounging on my bed like he hasn't got a care in the world.

"Hello there."

Up to now, I'd been praising myself for ignoring the intense, almost overwhelming rush of desire I feel whenever I see him—and for not sleeping with him.

But right now, it floods through my body.

It seems I'm about to go through a trial by fire.

"Reed," I sigh, and close the door behind me.

CHAPTER 16

Reed

Igrin as Hailey eyes me warily.

She's been avoiding me the past few days. Even though we live and work in the same space, we've barely crossed paths—probably thanks to my brother's interference, although I guess it could possibly be Hailey's own choice. Either way, if she's keeping her distance, it's most likely because Dean asked her to and she's trying to follow his rules.

Unfortunately for her, I'm a certified rule-breaker.

If she were staying away because she didn't want me, that'd be one thing—but I know that's not it. I see it in her gaze every time our eyes lock over dinner. The heat between us could scorch the damn table. Sometimes she licks her lips without realizing, or her eyes drop to my fingers—like she's remembering exactly where they were, what they did, how much pleasure they gave her. She'll bite her lip, and suddenly my brain's flooded with every filthy thought imaginable—right up until she catches herself and looks away.

All of that proves she wants me—but she's not willing to risk whatever deal she's got going with Dean. So I'm here to offer her a different deal: we hook up behind Dean's back. I canbe discreet. I didn't go near her all day—even though I easily could've—because I didn't want to get her in trouble with him.

Now the sun's gone down and everyone should be in bed. That means we've got the night to ourselves—and all the fun in the world waiting for us. If Dean ever finds out, I'll take the heat. Whatever happens, I'll make damn sure none of it lands on her. I've got leverage, and I'll use every ounce of it to protect her from any fallout.

I swing my legs down from her bed and take a step or two towards her. Her gaze drops from mine right away, color rising in her cheeks. I stop a few paces back, hands slipping into my pockets, already waiting for the predictable questions—What are you doing here? How did you get in my room?

"What are you doing here?" she asks, right on cue. "I thought I already told you this wasn't a good idea."

"And I told you I didn't agree. So it looks like we're at an impasse."

"But…" She draws in a shaky breath. "Dean…"

"Dean doesn't control what I do. Not in my spare time, anyway."

"I don't want any trouble."

"And there's not going to be any." I take another step toward her, brushing the back of my hand lightly down the side of her neck, right where her pulse is throbbing. It's not lost on me that she hasn't moved. The door's wide open behind her. She could walk out, end this, right now. But she doesn't. She stays. Stuck in place, fighting the need that's pulling at her core.

"Tell me you don't want me," I murmur, stepping in close enough to catch the glint in her eyes—the moonlight reflected deep in their dark depths. "Tell me you don't want me, and I swear I'll walk out that door and leave you alone. But you've got to say it."

"It's not that simple."

"It is, actually. I've never forced a woman, never even had to coax one—and I'm not starting now. Just say the word. Tell me you don't want me, and I'm out of here. We go back to being friends."

She shuts her eyes, her expression tightening with torment. She shakes her head. "Dean?—"

"This isn't about Dean." My voice sharpens with a flicker of annoyance. "Screw him. This has nothing to do with him. This is about me and you."

She doesn't answer, and that silence lets a question slip into my mind.

"Unless… you want him too."

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