Page 21 of The Mountain Man's Mail Order Surprise
The endearment makes my heart flutter, but I can't let it distract me from the very real danger we're now facing. "This isn't just about being difficult, Rosco. He's dangerous. Truly dangerous."
"So am I." The quiet certainty in his voice sends shivers down my spine. "The difference is I’d never use my power against a woman or child, because even though my father was an asshole, he still raised me right."
"Why are you doing this?" The question slips out before I can stop it. " Really? You could have any woman you want. Why take on someone else's problems?"
He studies my face for a long moment, those dark eyes seeing too much. "You really don't get it, do you?"
"Get what?"
"That you're not someone else's problems. You're..." He pauses, seeming to search for the right words. "You're the best thing that's walked into my life in years. Problems and all."
My breath catches. "Rosco."
"I mean it, Gia. Yesterday I was a lonely bastard living alone on a mountain, going through the motions of existing. Today I wake up to coffee that doesn't taste like motor oil and pancakes that actually have flavor. Today I have someone to protect, someone to take care of, someone who needs what I have to offer… Today I have purpose."
"You barely know me."
"I know enough. I know you make my house feel like a home. I know you're brave enough to run toward safety instead of accepting abuse even though you are petrified. I know you're carrying my child and that makes you the most important person in my world. I know you make my hollow house feel more like a home.” He smiles. "Besides, Kane men don't give up on what's ours. And you're mine now, Gia. Both of you."
Tears prick my eyes. When was the last time someone saw my strength instead of my neediness? Or didn’t see me as a burden?
His thumb strokes my cheekbone before continuing, and it takes every ounce of willpower not to melt into his touch.
"And I know you're used to handling everything alone,” he continues. But you don't have to anymore."
"You don’t think Zack’s right? That I’m not stable enough to be useful to anyone? Or that I can't be what you need?"
"Hey." His voice is gentle, and he leans his forehead against mine. "Look at me."
I lift my eyes to his, seeing nothing but steady certainty staring back at me.
"Zack is a manipulative piece of shit who's trying to get inside your head. Don't let him. You left everything behind to protect your child. You researched options and made a plan to build a stable life. You walked into a stranger's house and asked for help instead of letting pride keep you in danger." His thumb catches a tear I didn't realize had fallen. "That's not instability, sweetheart. That's courage."
The endearment breaks something loose in my chest. "I'm scared."
"I know. But you're not alone anymore."
A fierce smile curves his lips. "You think I'm going to let some trust fund asshole scare me away from the best thing that's ever happened to me?"
"I'm not the best thing that's ever happened to you."
"That's not your call to make." He tilts my chin up with one finger. "That's my call. And I'm making it."
The air between us crackles with the same electricity from before Zack's call shattered the moment. But this time it's stronger, more intense, and charged with everything we've just shared.
"Gia," Rosco's voice is rough, strained.
"Yeah?"
"I really want to kiss you right now."
My heart hammers against my ribs. "I really want you to."
"You sure? Because once I start, I'm not going to want to stop."
Heat pools low in my belly at the promise in his words. "I'm sure."
He leans down slowly, giving me time to change my mind, but I don't want to. I want this. I want him. I want to feel something other than fear and uncertainty for the first time in months.
