Page 8 of My Devoted Mountain Man

I give out an exasperated huff and put my fork down.

"Watercolors right now. It used to be acrylics. I like to try different things out."

"I'd love to see some of your work. I didn't see anything like that at your house."

"There's a workshop in the back of the house where everything is."

I cringe at the thought of how I've hidden my work from the public. I just don't trust that my art is worthy of being seen by others. I'm just glad I keep doing it. Otherwise, something might have died deep inside me.

"Will you show me someday?" he asks.

"I…um. I don't know."

"Your art is a special part of you and what makes you unique in this world. I understand if you don't want to share it with me just yet. I'll keep trying. It will give me an inside look at who you really are."

I stay silent and pick up my fork to continue eating. Am I ready to be that vulnerable with a man that I have feelings toward? Will he understand my need to keep my work a secret? I decide to focus on the food in front of me and set aside all these turbulent feelings that have arisen in me.

"What was the military like?"

"Intense. Made a lot of friends. Lost a lot of friends. I'm glad I left when I did. I felt like I was being suffocated and needed to escape from it all."

From the look on his face, I realize he was really hurt by the loss he experienced. I like how vulnerable he lets himself be around me, and I give him a smile to reassure him that I'm on his side and that he's okay now.

"Let me clear these dishes up. Do you want dessert? I've got some rocky road ice cream."

"I'm more of a strawberry kind of girl."

"I've got that too."

He serves us ice cream, and we sit in companionable silence while we eat. It feels so right to be here, sitting next to him. There's like one inch between us, but I can feel the heat emanating from his body. It's like he's a living furnace, and I wonder if he touched me, if I'd be branded for life.

"Ready for bed?" he asks.

"I am."

He helps me to my room and watches over me as I slowly but surely get ready for bed. I'm embarrassed when he stays on the other side of the bathroom door just in case I need him. If he only knew how much I already need him.

When I'm under the covers, he kisses my forehead and wishes me goodnight. I wish I had an excuse to make him stay with me tonight and every other night after, but I don't. As I close my eyes, my hope is that I dream of him so that we can spend more time together.

Chapter 5

Fletcher

Iwake up happier than I've ever been. Having Erika here in my house is exciting, and I'm looking forward to taking good care of her. I get ready for the day and then go to the kitchen to start making breakfast. While I'm in the middle of it, I see her step out of her room and come toward the kitchen.

"You know, all you need to do is call, and I can come get you."

"I didn't want to bother you."

"Erika, sweetheart. I love taking care of you. Carrying you around like you are my bride is just a bonus."

Her cheeks go pink, and she lowers her lashes, but there's a smile on her face.

"Sit. I'm almost done with breakfast."

"You know, I could get used to this. You're spoiling me."

"And loving every minute of it."

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