Page 9 of Spooking the Mountain Man
"Yeah, he was. But he wasn't wrong about everything. I do like being taken care of. I do want someone stronger than me, someone who can make decisions when I'm too overwhelmed to think straight." I'm rambling now, saying things I've never said out loud before. "Does that make me pathetic?"
"No." Callum's voice is rough, and when I look up at him, his eyes are intense. "That makes you honest about what you need."
"Derek said it made me weak."
"Derek was wrong about a lot of things." He takes a step closer. "Knowing what you need and asking for it? That takes strength, Kelly. Not weakness."
When he says it like that, I almost believe it.
We're interrupted by a low rumble of thunder outside, and I glance toward the window in surprise. The sky has turned dark gray while we've been talking, heavy clouds rolling in from the mountains.
"Storm's coming," Callum observes.
As if summoned by his words, rain begins pattering against the windows, light at first but quickly building to a steady downpour. Lightning flickers in the distance, followed by another roll of thunder.
"I should check the windows upstairs," I say, but I don't move. There's something hypnotic about standing here in the warm kitchen with Callum while the storm rages outside.
The lights flicker once, twice, then go out completely, plunging us into darkness.
"Crap," Callum mutters, and I hear him moving around. A moment later, the beam of his phone's flashlight cuts through the dark. "You have candles?"
"Kitchen drawer by the stove," I say, trying not to let my voice shake. I've been afraid of thunderstorms since I was a kid, and being trapped in the dark during one is pretty much my nightmare scenario.
Callum finds the candles and a lighter, setting several around the kitchen until there's enough light to see by. The flickering flames cast dancing shadows on the walls, making everything feel intimate and otherworldly.
"Power's probably out for the whole street," Callum says, checking his phone. "Could be a few hours before it comes back on."
Another flash of lightning illuminates the windows, followed immediately by a crash of thunder that makes me jump. I can't help the small whimper that escapes.
Callum's attention snaps to me immediately. "Hey. Come here, sweetheart."
The endearment catches me off guard, but I don't question it. When he holds out his hand to me, I take it without hesitation.
He pulls me closer, until I'm standing between his legs where he's leaning against the kitchen counter. His hands settle on my waist, big and warm and reassuring.
"Better?" he asks, and his voice has dropped to that low, soothing tone.
I nod, not trusting my voice. Being this close to Callum is overwhelming in the best possible way. He smells like pine and rain and something masculine that makes me want to bury my face in his neck.
Lightning flashes again, and I can't help flinching. Callum's hands tighten on my waist, pulling me closer until I'm pressed against his chest.
"I've got you," he murmurs against my hair. "You're safe with me. I won't let anything hurt you."
I am safe. Safer than I've felt in months, maybe years. There's something about Callum that makes me feel protected, cherished, like nothing bad could touch me as long as he's here.
"I'm sorry," I whisper. "I know it's stupid to be afraid of storms—"
"It's not stupid." His hand moves up to cup the back of my head, holding me against him. "Everyone's afraid of something. There's no shame in needing comfort, Kelly."
The acceptance in his words makes tears prick at my eyes. Derek used to mock my fears, call me childish for being scared of things he deemed irrational.
"I feel safe with you," I admit, the words muffled against his chest.
"Good. That's how you should feel." Callum's hand strokes through my hair slowly, rhythmically. "That's what I want. For you to feel safe and taken care of."
We stand there in the flickering candlelight, rain lashing against the windows and thunder rolling overhead, and I can feel the moment everything shifts between us. The air is charged with more than just electricity from the storm.
"Kelly," Callum says, and there's a warning in his voice. Like he's giving me one last chance to step away before we cross a line we can't uncross.
