Page 21 of My Wild Mountain Man

“That’s a loaded question, isn’t it.” His voice sounded scratchy. I chewed on my bottom lip. I loved the way he looked at me, but this push and pull, hot and cold stuff wasn’t going to work for me.

I wasn’t stupid.

I knew he thought I was too young for him, not to mention the fact he was my brother’s best friend, but I knew what I wanted and what I didn’t. I didn’t like games. It was one of the big reasons I’d rather read than hang out with people. The hot and cold from Bash made my head spin. Maybe all he really wanted was just a chance to screw me out of his system?

“I meant for your hair,” I clarified, my tone colder than I’d intended.

“Oh.” His eyes darkened. “That’s an easier question.” He smiled, but I didn’t give him anything as I stared back at him. “Just a make it look good.”

“Make it look good,” I repeated, my lips quirked upward. I hated that even as confusing as he was, I still didn’t think there was a way for him to look bad. “I can do that,” I promised and got to work.

My fingers running through the overgrown strands of his hair felt too good to rush with clippers, so I used my scissors. Ipressed and brushed against him, but he didn’t move to touch me again the way he had while I’d washed his hair. I was relieved and disappointed at the same time. Before I knew it, I was all done with his haircut.

“What do you think?” I asked, still standing behind him.

“I love it.” His eyes locked with mine in the mirror. It didn’t go over my head that he didn’t bother to look at his hair. His gaze never wavered from mine.

“Good.” I smiled carefully, pulling the cape off him and shaking it off. “I’m glad you like it,” I said softly, reaching for the broom that rested by my side.

“How much do I owe you?” he asked as he stood up slowly. I shook my head.

“Nothing. You brought me dinner. We can call it even.” I shrugged, but he stood right in front of me. Bash took the broom from my hand, and I stilled.

“Please look at me, pretty girl.”

“You should stop calling me that,” I whispered, my eyes set on the ground.

“Why?”

“Because…” I hated the way my voice cracked with emotion before I shook my head.

“Raven, please look at me,” he urged. My eyes roamed up his strong muscular body until our eyes connected.

“Not paying you doesn’t feel right.”

“Why not? Friends do this kinda stuff for each other all the time.” He scowled.

“Friends,” he repeated in a soft growl.

“That’s what we are, right? All we can be because of… Onyx,” I laid out. I didn’t want my head to be more mixed up than it already was. It was bad enough that I knew no matter what he said, I’d still be at his door come Friday.

“That’s not the only reason, pretty girl.”

“Bash––“

“I’m older than you, Raven.”

“Age is just a number,” I argued. A muscle under his eye twitched.

“With age comes experience and––“ he started to say, and I winced

“And I’m a virgin,” I interrupted. “I get it.” I turned around, but he grabbed my wrist and turned me around.

“You don’t get it, baby girl. I know myself. I know what I like and…” He swallowed. The unanswered question weighed heavily between us.

“And I’m not it,” I whispered.

“Baby––“

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