Page 9 of Her Mountain Man Veteran

“I’m sorry, Cee. I know I’m a pain in the ass. It’s just hard sometimes…”

He doesn’t need to say anything else; we have a shared understanding that runs deeper than words, a past that hangs like a ghost in the air between us. I set my book down and hug my brother tight. It’s impossible to be mad at Brody for long. I owe him so much.

“Friends?” he says, reaching out his pinkie like he used to do when I was a kid.

I smile at him, and we link our pinkies in a promise. “Friends.”

But as Brody disappears into the kitchen to grab us some drinks, my mind slides instantly back to Dane. I can’t seem to go thirty seconds without thinking about him, and a hollow ache gnaws inside me when I realize I probably won’t see him again before I leave.

It’s for the best.

There’s no point getting even more attached than I already am. That would be dumb. Irrational. But heck, there’s nothing rational about any of this. I’m obsessing over a guy I just met, and my heart won’t listen to reason. I know nothing can happen between me and Dane, yet here I am, walking straight toward heartbreak with my eyes wide open.

6

DANE

Celeste leaves with her brother,and I shut the door behind them, resting my head against the solid wood with a groan of frustration. My cock is throbbing, and I can still feel my heartbeat in my ears. The desire is so strong that I have to grit my teeth, struggling to fight against it.

Goddammit.

I was so close. So close to kissing her. One more moment and I would have claimed that pretty mouth and said fuck the consequences. It would have been worth it. A taste of that sweet angel would be worth more than anything.

I take a few deep breaths and straighten up, rubbing a hand over my face, when I suddenly hear voices drifting from somewhere nearby. Frowning, I follow the noise into my bedroom, where the window is cracked open. I peer through the glass and see Celeste and her brother facing each other, looking pissed. It’s hard to make out what they’re saying, but I strain my ears, listening hard.

“What is your problem with him?” I hear Celeste snap. The rest of her words are harder to hear, but I catch most of them. “If…because of his scars…he’s a veteran…combat…you shouldn’t judge?—”

They’re obviously talking about me, and when Dane cuts in, his words are forceful.

“It’s…with…damn scars. I…don’t like him, okay? He reminds me of Dad.”

Celeste’s response is scathing. “He’s nothing like Dad! How can you say…don’t even know him!”

Brody’s next response is so muffled that I can’t make it out at all, and a second later, Celeste marches away from him, disappearing into the trees. He follows her, head bowed, and when they’re both out of sight, I sit on my bed and think over what I just heard.

He reminds me of Dad.

I know nothing about Celeste’s father, but Brody’s words didn’t sound like a compliment. The guy obviously doesn’t trust me, and I’m not his biggest fan right now either. But hell, how can I blame him for being protective? If I had a little sister, I wouldn’t want her dating a grumpy old man either. Celeste is nearly half my age, and there’s something so damn sweet and innocent about her. I can understand why Brody wants to keep her safe, even if he’s turning into a real pain in my ass.

But what strikes me most of all about their conversation is how Celeste defended me. When her brother criticized me, she was upset enough to walk off and leave him behind. And that’s why I can’t let her go. That’s why Brody’s approval doesn’t mean shit. Celeste had my back. She stood up for me even though she didn’t know I was listening, and that makes her pretty damn special. I’m so used to people flinching when they see me, assuming the worst because of my scars. But not Celeste…

Fuck, I miss her already.

I run a hand through my beard as I get up and walk back into the living room, my head spinning with thoughts. I pause when I see a familiar book sitting on the table, bound in dark green leather, the title embossed in gold.

The Adventures of Tom Sawyer.

Celeste must have forgotten to take it after her brother arrived, and as I look at the book, an idea forms in my mind. My heart thuds in anticipation. This is the perfect opportunity to see her again. I’ll take the book over to Brody’s cabin and give it to her.

But no…

Fuck, that’s not enough.

I need more. So much more than these little snatches of time before Celeste has to hurry back to her brother. I need to get her alone somehow, without Brody hovering in the background and waiting for her to come home.

Then an idea strikes me.

Heading for the closet in the hallway, I grab a sheet of writing paper, my jaw set with determination. I sit at the table and stare at the blank page, my pen poised to write. But I’m not good with words, and the last thing I want to do is freak this angel out. Hell, just because she defended me to her brother doesn’t mean she has feelings for me. I’m still just a disfigured old soldier who’s twice her age.

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