Page 13 of The Mountain Man's Retribution

FAWN

“One blanket is enough.” I laugh, wondering at all the fuss this man makes.

Bodie protests, shaking his head. “No, Fawn, there is a whole bed for you. This is my guest bedroom, see?” He gestures towards the massive structure piled high with blankets.

“But I don’t need all that. Really,” I say, shaking my head.

Crossing his arms over his chest, face glowing, he asks darkly, “And how did you sleep at Big Man’s place?”

This is the man’s expression every time he asks me a question about my former life, the life I lived just yesterday, though it feels like centuries ago. His stance looks like he’s fortifying himself against a new round of fury inspired by my words.

Quietly, as though less volume will reduce his rage, I answer, “I always slept in the corner with one blanket, pressed tightly into a ball. Like a fawn, which is how I got my name. Big Man said it helped keep his devil away because he could pretend I didn’t exist, hidden in the dark corner. Although when things got really bad, he locked me in the cellar.” I shiver.

Bodie rubs his hand over his face, his other fist clenching. “You have no idea how much I hate that man,” he hisses between clenched teeth.

“There was far worse than Big Man. He never laid a hand on me. But his sons.” I tremor at the mention.

“Sons? How many? Did they hurt you?”

I shake my head. “Two. No, but they wanted to. I heard them talking about how they’d split me in two the moment Big Man couldn’t protect me anymore.”

“God!” the giant growls loud as a bear. “If I ever meet any of those men.WhenI meet those men, they will pay dearly for what they did to you and what they intended to do, too. Understand?”

I worry my bottom lip, torn by his words. As much as vengeance gladdens my heart, I want Bodie even more than I want revenge. And I fear, to the depths of my soul, that somehow, despite the giant’s strength and courage, Big Man, Malaketh, and Kael will kidnap me again, stealing my life and my hope.

“Big Man is likely already dead. The fire last night came from his cabin. If I am lucky, his sons will think I died, too.”

Bodie’s face twitches, livid. He closes his eyes, taking a deep breath and working hard to relax his shoulders. “All three are fair game.”

I nod, surrendering to trust rather than worry, though it isn’t easy.

“Sleep well, Fawn.”

I close my eyes, waiting breathlessly for another kiss, disappointed when he steps towards the door. Lashes fluttering in his direction, I ask gently, “You have forgotten to kiss me goodnight.”

Bodie’s face looks conflicted. Swallowing hard, he adjusts his jeans, making my cheeks warm. Knowing he wants me is everything: my safety, my security, my hope, though I still don’t fully understand what that wanting entails.

“Please kiss me,” I repeat, forcing myself to actively participate in this new life rather than let it happen passively to me.

Stepping forward, he wraps his arms hesitantly around me. I close my eyes again, anticipation sizzling as his head dips closer, his warm breath caressing my cheek. His lips touch mine, soft and gentle, moving this time and stealing my breath. My heart pounds against my ribs as a deep ache rips through my lower core, and I sigh, lips parting.

The tip of his warm, velvety tongue traces my lips, sending shivers of desire up and down my core. They swirl and radiate from the need between my legs. I long to wrap myself around him, slide over his hard ridge, and take his seed. Mate like the animals of the forest.

Whimpering at the feel of his tongue teasing my lips, I sigh again, begging for more. His tongue slips into me, pleasing and penetrating me, making my mouth his as much as it is my own. Heady tremors shake my body as my hungry fingers slide around his neck, pulling him closer. I feel lovesick, needy to become one with this man. Unite with him in dark, dangerous ways.

His stroke grows demanding, his arms sliding to my waist and pressing me hard against his arousal. I grind against him with my hips, feeling the rightness of the movements, like a demand. Bodie groans, the sound thundering up from deep within his chest. It shudders through me, invading my body. I’m desperate for more of him, my need slick between my legs.

Bringing his hands to my cheeks, he palms them, changing the angle of my head to thrust deeper. The rhythm of his tongue excites me, like flames licking up and down my core. My nipples pebble, whole body aching for his touch and his tongue. His big, rough hands roam over my back, sliding beneath the oversized sweatshirt I wear. My breath catches in my throat at the feel ofhis skin against mine, completely unraveling and marveling at the exquisite pleasure.

A desperate moan escapes my lips, heart jumping into my throat as his delectable tongue undoes me more. My hands rove over his back as I press my body tightly against him. My hand drops to the front of his jeans, rubbing his firm cock, massaging it with my palm and delighting at its size and power.

“Whoa, Fawn,” Bodie says breathlessly, pulling back. “Not like that. Not so soon. Let’s get to know each other first. Start with kissing. See how things go.”

“I’m sorry,” I whisper, working hard to keep it together as the sting of rejection slams into me.

“Hey,” he scolds gently, pushing a stray hair from my cheek and palming it. “Don’t apologize.” He rubs his thumb back and forth across the skin, lighting an incinerating fire that somehow reaches all the way to my toes. “You deserve better than rushed and frantic. You should be cared for, made love to, and adored by a man. Don’t you see?”

My brows knit, anxiety chafing against my soul. “But if you don’t want me. If I become useless to you, what will I do?” My voice cracks at the end. Never have I felt so vulnerable before.

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