Page 5 of Her Mountain Man Veteran

“Promise.” Brody shoots me a small smile. “It’s not me I’m worried about, kid. You sure you’re okay on your own in Denver?”

“I’m sure.” He’s asked me this so many times that my answer is automatic, even if it’s not entirely honest. I do get pretty lonely in the city without him…but I’d never dream of telling him that. He’d sell this cabin and come back to Denver tomorrow if I gave him even the tiniest hint of unhappiness, so I force a bright smile and listen as my brother tells me everything he’s been up to since he left.

But as he talks, my mind strays back to Dane.

I can’t help it. It’s like meeting him has altered my brain chemistry, and now all my thoughts lead straight to him, like rivers flowing back to the ocean.

I want to see him again.

I know Brody wouldn’t approve. Dane is big, rugged, and much older than me. Heck, he’s probably even a couple of years older than my brother. But I can’t get him off my mind. His gruff voice, his burly muscles, his eyes like smoky whiskey…

“Cee?”

I snap back to life, meeting Brody’s eye. “Yes?”

“You okay? Something on your mind?”

“No,” I lie, smiling up at him. “Nothing at all.”

4

DANE

It takesme a long time to fall asleep that night. I toss and turn for hours, my head full of Celeste, replaying every moment of our meeting—the way her eyes widened, cheeks pinkening as she looked down at my body. The memory of her curves is enough to make my cock throb, my body aching with an unfamiliar longing.

It doesn’t make any fucking sense.

I’ve spent all of about twenty minutes with this girl, yet she’s already in my veins, sizzling beneath my skin. I’ve never felt this way before. Growing up on Cherry Mountain meant my adolescence was pretty isolated, and while other kids were out partying, Weston and I kept to the forest, exploring every inch of Cherry Mountain while our peers explored each other’s bodies. It suited us just fine. Then when I left to join the Army, I devoted myself to my service, refusing to be distracted by love or relationships. Hell, I was never even tempted. I figured all that shit just wasn’t meant for a guy like me.

And then Celeste walked in.

As soon as I laid eyes on her, it was like my body was shocked to life, flooded with desires I’ve never felt before in all my forty-two years. And now I don’t know what the hell I’m meant to do. She’s a beautiful young twenty-something who lives in Denver; I’m a scarred old grump who lives in the mountains. An angel like her would never want me, and that’s a damn fact. So what am I meant to do with these crazy feelings that seem to be taking over my brain?

Dawn is already breaking outside my window when I finally drift off, and I wake up five hours later, groggy and pissed off. I’m usually an early riser, but it’s almost midday, and I down a strong black coffee before throwing on some clothes and heading into the forest. Chopping wood always helps when I’m frustrated. There’s something cathartic about slamming my axe against the rough bark of a tree, whacking it with all my strength until I hear that satisfying creak before it tumbles to the ground. It’s the only thing that can clear my head. But as I stalk through the forest, I find myself drifting closer and closer to Brody’s cabin.

Just a glimpse…

That’s all I need…just a glimpse of Celeste.

I follow the winding creek toward the cabin, slipping through the cover of trees to avoid being seen. Brody’s pickup is still parked out front, but there’s no sign of his sister. I’d hoped she might be outside enjoying the sunshine, but the clearing is quiet as I stare at the cabin, my heart thudding like a drumbeat.

She’s in there right now.

So close to me.

I don’t know how long I stand there, my gaze locked on the cabin like a man possessed. But suddenly, the front door swings open. I snap back to reality, hastily retreating behind a thick fir tree as Celeste steps outside.

Holy shit.

The sight of her sets my nerves on fire, desire flooding through me. She looks even more beautiful than yesterday. A light blue summer dress hugs her curves, showing off the creamy skin of her legs as she walks with purpose through the trees. The sunlight catches her hair, and it shines like pale gold, tumbling down her back as she passes my hiding place, a small box clasped between her hands.

Where is she going?

Instinctively, I start to follow her through the trees. Despite my size, I know how to keep quiet, and my movements are silent as I trail Celeste back the way I just came. After a few minutes of walking, I realize with a jolt of surprise that she’s heading for my cabin, taking the same path we walked together yesterday. When she finally reaches my front door, I stay back, listening as she raps her fist against it. I wait for a few moments, my breath hitching before I finally emerge from the trees.

“Oh,” she says, turning to face me. “Hi!”

“Hey. I heard you knocking.” It’s not a lie exactly. I’m just omitting the part where I followed her all the way back here.

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