Page 10 of My Tempting Mountain Man

“It’s… I just think you deserve somebody…” I can’t even finish my thoughts because I don’t even know what to say at this point. My body’s begging me to shut my fucking mouth and claim her right here on the floor. The other part of me thinks she needscandlelight and a nice dinner, proper sex in a bed, with someone not as deranged as me.

Someone who hasn’t been through what I’ve been through.

She cups my cheeks. “I don’t want anybody else but you.”

I lean closer, capturing her lips with mine. My whole body hardens at the taste of her. Fuck, she’s perfect.

How did I ever get this lucky? I was driving through the storm, checking on the roadways, and bam, there she was. All innocent and sexy curves, and now I don’t think I’ll ever be able to come back from this.

She gazes at me, licking her lips before she whispers, “Just please be gentle with me.”

I want to lie to her, tell her I’ll be as gentle as I can, but that wouldn't be the truth. It’s been a long time, and right now, all I can think about is slamming deep inside her to quiet the beast deep inside me. “I’ll try my hardest, Everly. Seriously, I will, but you’re too damn perfect and I don’t know how slow I’ll be able to go. I’m barely able to control myself around you as it is.”

“You won’t hurt me, though?”

Fuck.

“No, I’d never hurt you.” I lean closer, hoping I haven’t scared her. “Never.” I lift her off the floor, walking her back to my master suite. “I’d never hurt you.” I deposit her on the bed, and I step back, staring at her. Studying her. Memorizing every precious curve. “You’re a dream come true.”

She smiles, her cheeks turning pink. “So are you.”

And I swear hearing her say those words does something to me. Does something I haven’t felt in ages. Something real.

7

Everly

The way Liam stares at me sends a thrill skittering down my spine. There's reverence in his gaze, like I'm something rare and precious he's stumbled upon, something he didn't even know he needed until now. His eyes, dark and intense, linger on my face as if trying to memorize every detail, every freckle and subtle expression. It makes my breath hitch, warmth pooling deep in my belly, leaving me dizzy and utterly breathless. I've never been looked at like this—like I'm the most captivating, valuable treasure he's ever seen—and the raw admiration burning in his eyes ignites a desire in me that's impossible to deny.

“Strip for me,” he whispers, and I barely even hear him.

A chill races up my spine. “Okay,” I whisper back, not really sure how to strip for a man. Does he want me to dance? Should I try to be sexy?

I stand from the bed, swaying my hips slightly as he steps back and plops down in a chair in the corner. “Like this?” I ask him, grabbing the hem of my shirt and lifting it slightly.

His eyes darken. “Fuck yeah, just like that.” His voice is threadbare and husky. It turns me on.

I keep going, his eyes glued to me, egging me on. “You want me to get all the way naked?” I ask him, my eyes widening.

He chuckles low, a smirk gracing his handsome face. “That’s the idea.”

“Well, shouldn’t you be getting undressed too?” I’m probably ruining this, and I’m just waiting for the moment that he calls it quits to this whole idea of sleeping together. “Sorry, I’ll shut up now.”

My nerves are getting the best of me, and my heartbeat kicks up when he stands from the chair, stalking closer to me.

“Everly, baby, listen to me,” he says, stopping right in front of me. “I want to remember every single second of this night. I want to drag it out, and make sure you’re enjoying yourself.”

I smile, pushing on his chest, trying to get him to go back to his chair. “Well, in that case, sit down, Daddy.” I don’t know why I just called him that. What am I thinking?

He stalls, his mouth opening slightly. “What did you just call me?”

I lift one slender shoulder slowly. “Daddy,” I whisper, embarrassment threatening to crush me whole.

He lifts his hand, his finger tracing over my shoulder. “Is that what you want?”

I chew my bottom lip between my teeth. “I guess?” I ask it as a question, because I’m not even really sure.

“You want me to take care of you, little girl?”

---