Page 18 of Shelter for the Mountain Man
“How do you do that? I didn’t make a sound.”
“Years on the frontlines. You learn to sleep with your ears and senses wide open. Now tell me what’s got you stressing?”
“When are you leaving?”
He shifts until I’m lying on my back and he’s on his side looking down at me. Moonlight pours in the window highlighting his furrowed brow. “Are you trying to get rid of me?”
“No. I—I don’t want to get to use to you being here. It will hurt too much when you go.”
“I don’t want to leave. But I don’t want to rush you, or this. I also don’t want you to think I’m taking advantage of you. This is your home. Your business,” he explains before continuing.
“I have some personal rules. I pay my own way, earn my own keep. I need my own job and identity. I’d like to be a deputy. That comes with risks and long hours. Could you live with that? With the potential danger?”
“Life is filled with dangers. People get sick, hit by cars, die in plane crashes. You survived the army. I assume you can take care of yourself.”
He smiles. “So that’s a yes.”
I nod.
“That doesn’t mean I wouldn’t work my ass off around here. I’d help with the animals, chores, shearing, whatever you need. But I’d also have a career of my own.
“It’s important to me that you trust I’m not taking advantage of you and what you have. I’ve been on the exploited side, where I was a paycheck. I’d never do that to you. I have to pay my own way. My share of the bills.”
“Kind of sounds like we both want the same thing but also have the same fears,” I say.
He nods. “I know I want you. I want us. But I also understand we’ve both been hurt. We need to see if we can be enough for each other. I can absolutely promise that if we commit to doing this, I will not cheat on you.
“I’d like us to try. If you’re open to it… I’d spend as many nights here as you’re comfortable with. I’ll keep my place in town and only come when you invite me. We can even just take it day by day.”
“I want you to have the career you want, Spade. You survived the military and that fall on the mountain.” I smile. “I’d guessyou have pretty good reflexes and instincts. I trust they will serve you well as a deputy. I’ve managed my business and animals for years on my own. A little help would be appreciated, but not necessary, you deserve your own career. Something that fulfills you.
“All that said, I would like us to try as well. It’s been pretty easy so far with you here.”
He leans forward and kisses my forehead. “I think so too.”
CHAPTER 11
Spade
I take my first deep breath in what feels like forever. I don’t know what I would have done if she hadn’t agreed. I’m already all in, and I know it. I can’t screw this up.
Leaning forward, I kiss her forehead, then her eyelids before taking her lips. The way she leans into me is affirmation enough that she’s as moved by our connection as I am.
Kissing a path between her breasts, I sidetrack to give each rosy nipple attention. Her soft weight fills my palm, her pleasured hums fill my ears, and the sweetness of her pebbled flesh have me straining for my own release.
Her soft warm skin feels like velvet and smells like the floral soap she uses as I make my way kissing and savoring down her body. Reaching my destination the heat of her desire sets me on edge. Teasing her nub with tip of my tongue, I follow with a broad sweep and repeat.
Her taste is like honey on my tongue. Her moans of pleasure fill my heart with hope. I want this woman. She’s my everything.
Clutching both sides of my head, she forces me to look up at her. “Enough. Roll us over. I want to be on top.”
Chuckling, I comply. “Yes ma’am.”
Once we’re settled, she grabs a condom off the bedside table and tosses it on the pillow by my head. Kneeling, she straddles my thighs and runs her gaze slowly from my eyes down to my swollen cock, licks her lips, and raises her gaze back to my face.
“You’re beautiful.”
“Men aren’t beautiful.”
