Page 11 of Mountain Daddy's Girl
I take a quick shower then return to training.
The other fellas look at me as if wondering why I’m even more primal than usual. Each punch is like a lightning strike. Each kick is an explosion.
During a water break, Clint walks into the training room, adjusting his cop’s hat. He’s a tall, wide man, and not averse to some fighting himself.
“Was grabbing some coffee at the lodge and one of the city girls said she fancies taking a jolly old walk. Looking for some snaps. Her friends want to play board games, and she ain’t got no business going alone. Told her I’d do her the service of asking you ruffians.”
“Photos?” I say.
“Yup”
Evan walks up next to me, a playful glint in his eyes. He’s a tall, strong-as-a-bull kid, twenty-one with a mean streak when he needs it. I might’ve got the better of him yesterday, but it’s not always like that.
“Maybe I’ll go.” He winks at me. “What’d you think, Boone?”
I think he’s fixing to get his head caved in if he thinks I’m sharing Lila. Ever. Or if he thinks it’s a laughing matter.
“I’m taking her,” I growl. “And don’t even make jokes about it.”
Evan flinches. “Hell, Boone, I didn’t know it was like that.”
“It is like that.” Hot fire flows through my veins. “In fact, all of you should know. Lila is off-fucking-limits.”
“Areyou sure you don’t mind?” she asks, as we trudge up a muddy hill together, surrounded on all sides by trees with rainfall clinging to their leaves.
I offer her my hand and help her over a log. Her touch is electric. It surges through me. My lust. Something else too, something warmer. More meaningful.
“I wasn’t going to let anybody else take you.”
That volcanic blush erupts onto her cheeks, cute, beautiful.Her, and that’s the most important thing.
“You gettin’ some good shots?” I ask. “You purse your lips when you concentrate on your work.”
“Do I?” She pouts, leaning close to her camera.
“Yeah. It’s a sight to behold.”
She rolls her eyes at me, but she can’t hide the pleasure on her face.
“When did you start?” I ask, as we continue walking.
“I was six. My parents got divorced and … You don’t want to hear this from a stranger.”
She makes an adorable whimpering noise when I take her shoulders in my hands and look meaningfully into her eyes. “Number one: don’t call yourself a stranger. Number two: I do want to hear it, so start talking … ahh,please”
I can’t help but kiss her then. I push my lips hotly against hers. She moans as any resolve melts, sinking against me like she belongs. It feels right. Itisright.
“Your parents?” I ask, as we move on.
“It’s a weird story. They split up, but they were still curious about each other’s lives. That’s why I started at first. I’d show Dad pictures of Mom’s place and vice versa. Anyway, they got back together four years later. But the photography stuck.”
“And you’re in college now?”
When she lets the camera rest between her bountiful breasts on the strap, I take her hand. She gives me a squeeze. It’s all so natural. Like it was meant to be this way.
I don’t even question the thought.
She nods. “Almost done. What about you?”
