Page 6 of Mystery Mountain Man

"Because my mom died!" she yells back. And just like that, all the fight goes out of me. This is more than a stubborn streak. "Six months ago, and I'm sure you will think this is crazy, but she sent me a sign to come here, and I think she's going to help me figure out the rest of my life. So I can't leave until I've done it. Until I have my epiphany and make a plan." Mimi looks at me helplessly, shaking her head as tears roll down her soft cheeks.

I watch her for a few solemn moments. She wipes her face, blows out a shaky breath, and sets her jaw stubbornly beforeshe squares up to me again. Instead of arguing, I simply nod. "Okay. I'll stay with you then." I set my pack down, then pull out my lightweight waterproof jacket. I drape it around Mimi's shoulders. Not surprisingly, it dwarfs her figure, and something about seeing her in my clothes brings out a primal lust that I immediately have to tamp down.

Eyeing her tent with frustration, I grunt, "Let's hope your epiphany comes before we drown."

Mimi gives me a watery smile, pulling the jacket tightly around her, and I gaze deeply into her eyes. I lean toward her, wanting to close the space between us and kiss her, but worried about crossing a boundary. I need to stay with her to keep her safe tonight, and if I'm misreading her interest, I don't want to freak her out. Her mouth parts slightly, a soft breath escaping as I get a little closer.

And then, the first drop of water lands on my nose, jolting me back to reality. I let out a sigh and turn to her tent. "Show me how to close this thing. We're going to have to make a run for it sooner than I thought."

Chapter 4

Mimi

The wind whistles around us, blowing the rain sideways. I can barely see as I follow Clint through the thick trees.

Clint.

Mystery Man is the Clintiest Clint I've ever met in my life. He's sturdy and sexy, rough but gentle. In spite of the wet, biting cold, my stomach flutters from the touch of his hand to mine. He could move quicker without me, but I'm so grateful he didn't leave me at the campsite alone. I barely had time to tend to his forehead before the heavy rain started. It took one ear-splitting crack of thunder before I realized he was right, and I scrambled to help him pack up the rest of my supplies.

He hauled it all up in his arms and took my hand, saying, "I'll keep you safe, Mimi. I promise." I nodded and let him lead me out of danger. He hasn't let go of me yet, and I already trust him with all my heart.

His hand grips mine tightly, the only indication that we are in more danger than he's letting on. Clint turns back to look at me, and I flash him a thumbs-up sign, my teeth chattering.

"I think I see a cabin up ahead," Clint yells, and I nod, barely able to hear him over the sounds of the storm. He guides me carefully over the muddy terrain. I slip twice, and I'm grateful I bought new hiking boots as I realize now how ridiculous the rest of my outfit is for the outdoors.

When we get to the small cabin, it's dark and the door is locked tight. Clint bangs on the window a few times, but nobody answers. I'm soaked through. The cold is in my bones, and I shiver uncontrollably as Clint darts out into the rain and around the back of the cabin. He comes back to the front porch a moment later and points behind him. I nod. I have no idea what he's found, but I'm sticking with him because I'm not a complete idiot.

We race into the rain, and Clint grabs my hand as he guides me over to what looks like a dilapidated garage or large shed. The door is slightly open, and I start inside, desperate to be out of the pouring rain, but Clint holds me back. It's quieter under the little awning, and I can hear him clearer now.

"Hold up. Let me check for b"—he cuts himself off and looks away from me quickly, before finishing his sentence—"wildlife."

"You were g-going to say b-bears!" I cry, clutching my backpack tightly to my front as my heart beats frantically. My teeth chatter so loudly, I'm a walking siren for wild animals.

Clint hesitates. "No."

"You are l-lying t-to m-m-meee," I manage to get out through chattering teeth as I look around frantically for a mountain lion about to jump out at me from behind a tree. My heart pounds.

Clint grabs both my shoulders and places his forehead to mine. The bandage I used on his wound scratches my skin, but I barely notice. I'm so shocked, I forget to be scared, and I let himhold me. Our breath mixes together in the cold air, and now my heart is beating wildly for a whole different reason.

He pulls back and gazes into my eyes. This close, I notice he has small gold flecks forming a little halo effect around the glacier blue of his iris.

"Angel eyes," I breathe, and he startles, making me blush.

"My grandma used to call me that." He smiles faintly like he hasn't thought of the memory in quite some time.

Clint's eyes dart from my mouth to my eyes and back again. He hasn't let go of me. As cold as I was a few minutes ago, his hands burn against my body through multiple layers of clothes like the world's sexiest hot potatoes. I'm still shivering, but now it's only partly from hypothermia and partly from lusty anticipation.

He's going to kiss me. Holy shit. I thought he was going in for a kiss back at the campsite, but he didn't, and I haven't been able to shake the sudden disappointment since.

I lift my mouth toward his, closing my eyes slightly as he leans down. He's half an inch from my mouth, and then a loud clap of thunder startles us both, and I shriek. The wind picks up, whipping my wet hair into my eyes as I stumble forward into Clint. He grabs me and hauls me to his side as he strains to pull the door open against the wind. He ushers me into the dry space as we get pelted with hard, fat raindrops now mixed with hail.

Cock-blocking storm!

The rain beats down on the roof of the large shed, increasing in intensity the second we get the door closed. I'm grateful to be somewhere dry, but it's still cold in the unheated space, and the chatter of my teeth almost drowns out the sound of the rain. Clint blows hard on his hands, and I realize he gave me his jacket. He must be freezing.

No time to waste, Clint gets to work and quickly pops open my tent while I stand there shivering uselessly.

"S-see. P-pop open is q-quicker." I attempt to grin at Clint, but my body is shaking so hard I must look like a crazy bobblehead figure.

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