Page 4 of Healing with the Mountain Man
He sighs, a deep, rumbling sound that vibrates through the quiet room, and my body reacts before my mind can catch up—another traitorous flush of heat, a pulse beating too fast.
The storm outside rages, but all I can focus on is the way his presence fills the space, raw and untamed, like the thunder rolling in the distance.
My lungs burn as I forget how to breathe. Leaning forward, the slightest shift gives me away.
Hearing the creak beneath my step, he jerks to look my way.
His hair is a little longer, shaggier. Looks like he’s messed it up with his fingers many times over.
Remembering how to breathe, it comes in shaky.
I’ve waited for this moment for years. Pictured what the first thing would be that I’d say to him as soon as I got the chance to tell him something to his face.
Right now, I feel like a doe caught in headlights.
Dean seems to know exactly what to say. The time I spent in his bed has given him ample opportunity to put his thoughts into words.
“What were you thinking? The world is dangerous, Alani. Did you tell anyone what you were planning before doing something so reckless?” Running his fingers through his hair, he scolds me with a sigh so heavy, I’m surprised the ground doesn’t shake. “You didn’t breathe a word in any of our communications.”
My toes curl, and I try not to acknowledge the tingling in the pit of my stomach.
He probably wouldn’t appreciate knowing how much I like it when he worries about me. It’s so much better when I can hear the words in that deep voice of his. Hearing the emotion behind them is a surreal experience.
Should I tell him that my time on the mountain has been a wild ride since I arrived? From accepting a ride from a stranger, telling them that I am not around here, and that my arrivalwould be unexpected? No, that would be what pushes him over the edge.
Biting the inside of my cheek, I hugged myself, trying to take this seriously. Coming to the small town wasn’t the only reckless thing I’d done. The list is rather long, and I want to make sure I take this on carefully.
“I wanted to see you,” I confess, the words tumbling out before I can second-guess them. “But that’s not all. I wanted to know if the offer you made me… the one from months ago… still stands.”
His brow furrows, shadows flickering in his gaze like he’s sifting through old memories, trying to place what I’m referring to. Does he not remember? The thought stings more than I expect.
If you ever need somewhere to go, you can stay with me.Those few words bolded and italicized had been my lifeline. I’d clutched them tight, turning them over in my mind until they were worn smooth from repetition.
When my lease ended, I made my choice—packed my things—swapped in-person classes for online ones. Took the leap, foolish or brave, I still wasn’t sure.
Now, standing here under the weight of his silence, I wonder if I’ve misread everything.
“You said if I needed a place, you had a guest room.” The words taste bitter as they leave my lips. His frown deepens, and my stomach plummets. A dry, humorless laugh escapes me. “You didn’t mean it, did you? Oh. Well… whoops.”
He curses under his breath, sharp and startled. I don’t even have time to blink back the burn in my eyes before he’s right in front of me, his hands hovering inches from my face—close enough to feel the heat of him, but not touching. His expression is pure panic, like he’s just realized something terrible.
“I remember.” Rasping the words, his fingers curl and uncurl before his hands drop. “I meant them, of course. That offer always stands. You’ve just caught me off guard, Alani. You never mentioned anything in our emails… What went wrong?”
He shoves the heel of his hand against his eye, like he’s trying to rub away his frustrations.
How do I explain to him that my motives are entirely fueled by a crush I have on my dead dad’s best friend?
All that time on those buses, and I didn’t think to create some kind of excuse?
“I didn’t renew my lease, so I don’t have anywhere to stay. I can look for a cheap apartment here in town, get a job and—”
“No.” Interrupting the suggestion firmly, he sighs and shoves his fingers through his hair. “You can stay here. We’ll… we’ll get this figured out. You just picked a bad day to do something like this.”
Like the weather feels the need to prove his point, the wind howls like an animal outside.
“Have you eaten?” Making his voice softer, he makes my stomach flutter again at the concern in his voice.
Pursing my lips, I shrug, and he curses again.
