Page 5 of My Wild Mountain Man

“What? I’m sorry, what was the question?”

“You’ve been avoiding me,” he said, and because I was me and suddenly a smartass, I responded like one.

“That’s not a question,” I pointed out. “That’s a statement.”

“Shit.” His lips twitched, and I saw it. That little dimple of his popped out and made me want to swoon. It was seriously unfair how cute he was. “Stay here,” he ordered before he jogged back to where his things were.

“You know, I’m not a dog!” I yelled back, but for some reason, I did just as he asked.

I watched as he tossed his backpack on and grabbed his water bottle before jogging back to me. “Ready?” he asked, and I shrugged.

I walked close to him as we walked side by side in silence for the longest while. Usually, with anyone else, I would have been tempted to fill the silence or even pull out a book, but with Bash, I didn’t feel that need. It might have been quiet, but it was a comfortable silence. One that was outlived too quickly when he spoke.

“How’s work been?” he asked, and I glanced up at him.

“It’s been okay.” I shrugged. “I got a couple new clients.”

“That’s good,” he grunted before silence fell between us again.

“Any new events planned out for the brewery?” I asked, making my own attempt at small talk.

“Not really. Austin wants to host a couple of paint and sips. We will see, though.”

“You don’t like the idea?” He shrugged, raising and dropping one of his boulder-looking shoulders.

“It’s not a bad idea. I just don’t think we need all the extra hoopla. The new chef your brother hired is great, and our beers are going to be exclusively served at the ski resort starting this fall. I just don’t want us to be spread ourselves too thin.”

“That makes sense.”

“So… that book you were reading when you got lost.” He pointed to the paperback still in my hand.

“I wasn’tlost, lost exactly,” I mumbled.

“How was it?”

“It was good.”

“Hmm,” he grunted. “You need to be more careful. What if some weirdo had been out here?”

“Weirdo?” I giggled. “This is Moonlit Pines, Bash. Nothing bad happens here.”

“Bad shit happens everywhere, Raven. I just… promise me you’ll be more careful.”

“God, you sound like my brother. ‘Stop reading those books, Raven,’’” I lowered my voice to mimic Onyx’. Bash surprised me, taking my wrist and pulling me into him. So close, I could feel his body heat, and when he leaned in, his head dipping low enough that his breath tickled my lips, a deep warmth coiled up low in my belly.

“I never said to stop reading. I just want you to promise me you’ll pay more attention. Especially when you come out here alone.”

“Why? Do you pay extra close attention when you’re out here alone?”

“Raven.”

“Bash,” I countered. I had no idea why I was poking the bear in him. Pushing buttons I had no right to push.

“I swear to god, little girl, you’re making it hard for me to not pull you over my knee and spank you,” he growled, and the whole world froze.

Right in that moment, nothing moved.

I mean, the birds still sang and the breeze blew, but I felt like I was frozen solid while his probably empty threat painted itself out in my head. And I liked it. A lot.

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