Page 10 of My Mountain Man Valentine
She eyes me warily, and I get the feeling I’m being assessed although I’m not sure what for.
I pull over the other chair and put one of the cushions from the bed on top and rest her foot gently on the cushion.
“You’ll need to keep it elevated.”
She nods and looks so forlorn that I feel sorry for her. “Hey, I’m sorry this isn’t how you wanted to spend Valentine’s Day.”
I’m not sorry she’s not going on her date, but I don’t tell her that. Whatever jackass she was meeting up with doesn’t deserve those special red bows.
I feel for Lucy. All she wanted was a nice night out for Valentine’s Day, and she’s stuck in a cabin with me and a sprained ankle.
Maybe there’s something I can do to make tonight special for her.
6
LUCY
My ankle throbs, I’m wrapped in a foil blanket, and I’m going to get a crick in my neck from the position I have to be in to read by the light of my phone.
Open on my lap is the paperback I brought in my backpack. I always carry a book around with me, and I’m glad of it tonight.
Spending Valentine’s Day reading is not new to me, which is why I thought this year would be different. This year I found myself a date, and it was supposed to be special. Instead I’m holed up here with my foot propped up and a hot mountain man prowling restlessly around the cabin.
The rain stopped a little while ago and Ethan went out to check out the area and prep dinner. I offered to help, but he insists I rest my ankle.
I’m not sure what prep is needed for a meal in a packet, which is what he showed me is in his backpack.
My backpack is full of books, a picnic blanket, and my empty lunch box. His has a survival kit and all sorts of useful things like a fire starter and food and spare bottles of water.
There’s even a spare blanket which he dropped around my shoulders.
To be honest, it’s not such a bad place to be. I’m warm and I have a book, what else do I need?
My mind snags on the one thing I’m lacking and the opportunity I’ve missed not going on my date tonight.
I messaged Rob and let him know I wasn’t going to make it. He sent a terse reply which makes me think it might have been an awkward night, although it was bound to be awkward anyway.
Ethan comes back into the cabin, bringing a gust of cool air with him. He’s got a smile on his face and seems relaxed for the first time since I met him.
He carries an axe. God knows where he got that from or what he used it for, but the sight of the burly mountain man wielding an axe starts a flutter deep in my belly.
My gaze wanders over him, from the tight thermal top that hugs a muscular chest down to the thermal pants that show off every lump of his generous package.
The flutter turns into a tug, and a damp heat floods my panties.
Maybe this night isn’t wasted after all.
“You hungry?”
At the thought of food my belly lets out a low rumble, reminding me it’s been hours since I last ate.
“I’m starving.”
He smiles and holds out his arm for me. “Come on. We’re dining al fresco.”
I frown at him. “Does this place have a secret porch I don’t know about?”
He chuckles. “Come see.”
