Page 4 of The Mountain Man's Curvy Obsession
“I am?” His dark eyes sweep over me, still checking to see if it’s really me, his head tilting slightly as he steps into the house. And Lord have mercy on me; this man is almost as handsome as Slade. I guess I’m not used to being around square jaws, broad shoulders and manly men oozing testosterone, and there are four more Stone brothers on this mountain somewhere.
Zephyr towers over me, sucking up all the oxygen in the room. There’s no denying, the man knows how to make an entrance.
“Go ahead, sit down.” I nod to the table and rush to the cupboard, grabbing another plate, fork, knife, and napkin. “Can you believe it’s been six years since we’ve seen each other?” I ask over my shoulder.
“Oh, I can believe it,” he responds in a noncommittal tone, glancing at me with a cautious squint before lowering himself into the chair, making the seat creak. Who knows what Slade told him about our breakup. The Stone brothers stick together through thick and thin, no matter what.
“Coffee?” I ask, grabbing a mug and holding it up with a raised brow.
“Sure. So, what happened to the, uh …” He scans the room, looking for something. What? I have no idea.
“Sugar? Milk?” I tilt my head waiting.
“Both, thanks.”
“You got it. So, you were asking what? What happened to what?” I grin, setting a carafe of milk and a bowl of sugar on the table with a gentle clink before pouring his coffee. He watches every move I make.
“What happened toher? Slade signed up for a mail-order bride, and he was expecting her to arrive yesterday. Is she still sleeping? Must’ve been a little ah, cramped with all of you in the same bedroom.”
I blink my eyes at him. And blink again trying to track what he’s saying. Then it hits me, and I bite back a laugh. “Really? That’s the first place your brain goes to? Hate to burst your bubble, but no, your darling brother does not have two women living with him,” I tease, sliding the golden-brown biscuits out of the oven with a satisfied nod, setting them to cool. I used all the sausages, so hopefully there’s enough. I crack a few more eggs into the bowl, whisking them briskly, then pour them into the sizzling skillet with the sausage.
“And …?” Zephyr asks again. “Where is she?”
“I’m it.” He gives me a blank stare. “I’mher.” The concept still isn’t registering, so I give it another attempt. “I am the mail-order bride the service matched with Slade.” I look up at the ceiling. “Can you imagine?”
“No. I can’t.” He grunts with a scowl. “Someone’s head needs to roll.”
“When you talk that way, you sound just like your brother.” I purse my lips, focusing on the eggs. “But no kidding. Someone along the line obviously made a big mistake.”
“Yeah, you are the last person on the planet Slade wants to be married to.” Zephyr pours milk into his coffee, his movements slow and deliberate, stirring it with a faint clink of the spoon.
I turn from the stove, gripping the spatula tightly. His words sting like a pissed-off wasp. “That wasn’t a very nice thing to say.”
Zephyr slumps in his chair, balking at being scolded.
“I didn’t sign up to be matched with your brother, if that’s what you’re thinking. And I’m not the worst person on the planet for him to marry. I’m sure there are far, far worse people.”
“Damn. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that.” Zephyr leans forward and starts to explain.
“And what have we here?” Slade’s deep voice cuts through the air as he marches into the kitchen, his big, clunky boots thudding heavily on the floor, his beige jumpsuit identical to his brother’s. His broad shoulders fill the space, as he rubs a hand over his damp hair. His stare narrows, flickering between me and Zephyr with quiet scrutiny. Wow.
How is it possible Slade is even more gorgeous than he was six years ago? I noticed how handsome he was yesterday, obviously, but there’s something about him now, just standing in the kitchen he built, with those brown eyes and thick lashes, looking at me like he owns the world makes me shiver.
I smooth my apron nervously. “I thought you’d appreciate a hot meal before you head out in this weather.” I lift my chin to meet his gaze. If I earn my keep around here, maybe he’ll give me a little more time to catch my bearings and find another place to live.
Slade scans the stove, the table, his brother, and then comes back to me, his jaw tightening as he mumbles, “Thanks. I’m starving.” He crosses his arms over his broad chest, accentuating his wide, unyielding stance.
“Then don’t be such a grump,” I tease. “Relax, have a seat.” I plate the food and hear him pull out a chair for himself. A smile spreads across my face as I quickly scoop up the eggs and sausages.Score one for me. I bring the plates and bowl of biscuits to the table, serving the men as gracefully as possible, before taking a seat.
When Slade offers a quick, “This is good” comment, I take my chance.
“You know, I could cook all your meals for you, do the laundry, clean the house, garden, whatever you ask. I would really appreciate some time to figure this mess out.”
Slade sets his fork down and considers me while Zephyr is all ears. “Nice try, but that isn’t happening. You need to go. Today.”
“Honestly, Slade, I don’t think you realize I spent every dime I had just to get here. I have nowhere else to go. I’m not kidding. I can’t even go home to live with my parents.”
“Did you get into a fight with them too?” He barks.
