Page 10 of My Mountain Man Boss
I’ve been aware of him every single day since I came back to Wild Heart Mountain. Ever since that kiss at Izzie’s wedding.
I thought I could avoid him, but helpful Rodney got me a part-time job at the fire station. Now Landon is my boss as well as my best friend’s dad. Double the reason not to get involved with him. Yet every time I’m near him, my body heats and my stomach flutters, and there’s a tug between my legs that I’ve never felt with any man before.
Being alone with Landon is dangerous, yet I’m glad he’s here.
We come to the place where the hiker with the broken leg rests against a boulder. She’s in good spirits but cold. I grab an emergency blanket out of my backpack and wrap it around her. There’s a clearing nearby where the helicopter will come down, and I radio in to Ethan to arrange the medivac.
The helicopter arrives twenty minutes later, and Landon and I help get her into the harness. They winch her up and the helicopter lifts into the darkening sky, causing the trees to flap in the wind from the propellers.
I watch the helicopter fly away, and then I’m left alone with Landon.
The rain has stopped, and I push the hood of my jacket back.
The sounds of the forest close in on us. Insects chirp, rain drips from trees, and there’s a gentle swoosh as the breeze ripples through the canopy.
I zip up my backpack and shoulder it, but Landon reaches a hand out to stop me. “Let’s rest for a moment.”
There’s a large boulder by the side of the path, and I lean against it while Landon takes a silver hip flask out of his pocket. He takes a swig and then offers it to me.
I take the flask and sniff. My nose wrinkles at the scent of whiskey. “No thanks.”
“Doesn’t taste as good if it’s not stolen from my liquor cabinet, hey?”
“You knew about that?”
He chuckles. “I might have been grieving, but I’m not stupid. I knew what you girls were up to.”
I think about the times me and Izzie snuck out of her house, quietly sliding up the window and trying not to giggle as we pulled ourselves through. We thought we were so clever. We thought her dad didn’t notice a thing.
“Are you still grieving?”
He turns to me in the dark, and his eyes are dark pools. “When you lose someone you love, the pain never leaves you. You just learn to live with it. And as the years pass, it hurts less and less.”
He’s still the romantic figure I remember, and that makes me want him even more.
“Carol was Izzie’s mother. There will always be a place in my heart for her. But I don’t miss her like I used to. I don’t think about her like I used to.”
He takes my hand in his. “And I haven’t for a long time.”
My breath hitches in my throat. He’s letting me know he’s emotionally available to me. I have a sudden urge to flee.
I look around wildly, needing to get away from this man and the emotions he stirs up in me.
Landon places a hand firmly on my arm. “Let me take you out to dinner, Amy. Let me take you out like you deserve.”
His touch anchors me, and my racing heart starts to calm. Part of me wants to say yes, but part of me is terrified. I’ve never had a boyfriend before, and Mr. Laker is the most inappropriate candidate for so many reasons.
“I can’t.” My voice comes out as a whisper. “What would Izzie say?”
“I don’t give a damn what anyone says. You belong to me, Amy. I’m just waiting for you to realize it.”
The words have my heart hammering in my chest, and the terror returns. I squeeze my eyes shut tight, and Landon places his other hand on my shoulder.
“Hey, are you okay?”
How can I explain the turmoil inside of me? Part of me wants him, and the sensible part of me wants to run. It’s not just about Izzie. I never want to get married and go through what my parents went through.
“Open your eyes, Amy.” Landon’s voice is gentle, and when I open my eyes, he’s staring at me intently. “Breathe with me.”
