Page 28 of Eco-Activist’s Mountain Men (Mountain Men Reverse Harem #4)

“Alright, so first—about the arguing. Or the disagreeing, whatever you want to call it. The way I see it, everyone’s entitled to their own opinions. Who am I to decide what’s right and what’s wrong? What’s truth and what’s bullshit?

“But at the same time, I’ve been in forestry a long while.

That gives me a certain level of experience—hell, maybe even expertise—that means I’ve got a solid grasp of the subject.

I’m not saying I’m infallible,” I add, raising my hands to show I know my own limits.

“But I reckon I know more than most. Even inside the industry—let alone folks on the outside.”

I pause, working my jaw, searching for the right words.

“And there’s another thing. Loyalty. Loyalty to Jack.

He’s practically raised me. I was eighteen when I started at McKenzie Forestry Services, green as hell.

Jack already had nine years in the Rangers behind him, three more with the company.

He took me under his wing. Knocked the fight out of me when I needed it, gave me purpose when I didn’t have one.

Doubt I’d have lasted six months without him.

He’s the reason I am who I am today. I owe him everything. ”

I glance toward the window, memory crowding in. For a moment, I see the young, angry kid I used to be. Jack’s voice is hauling me back in line. Jack’s steadiness when I had none.

When I turn back, she hasn’t moved. Still, silent, eyes locked on me.

“And I’m loyal to the company too,” I continue.

“After a rough start, I found I fit here. They trained me. Backed me. Kept me on in lean years when they could’ve cut me loose.

Promoted me when I earned it. They gave me a life.

So yeah—when I see a threat to the company, I take it personally.

Because it is personal. This place? These people?

They’re family. It’s the work I love with men I’d trust my life to.

“You get that, Luna? I’d risk my life for this place. Gladly.”

When I look back at her, I see tears. One escapes, tracing a line down her cheek before she wipes it away with the sleeve of Eric’s hoodie.

“That’s… so sweet,” she whispers, voice trembling. “It’s wonderful. It’s how things should be.”

She exhales heavily. “It’s how I wish my life were.”

“Then you’ll understand,” I say, my voice low but firm, “why I came down so hard on you about Kill Climate Change. About the banner. From where I stood, it looked like you came here to sabotage everything we’ve built. I couldn’t allow that. Do you understand?”

“Yes. I do. I really do, Luke.”

“And I’m sorry if I came on too strong. I let my temper run me. I was aggressive. Forceful. Hell, I was rude. You were under our roof, hurt and needing care, and I treated you like an enemy. That wasn’t right.”

“Well, like you said… I was here to stir up trouble. You had every right?—”

“No.” My voice cuts sharper than I intended. “I had a right to ask questions. To challenge you. But I didn’t have the right to disrespect you. That was on me. I should’ve done better. I’m sorry, Luna. Truly. Can you forgive me?”

She lets out a shaky laugh, eyes bright with unshed tears.

“Forgive you? Oh, you stupid man. Of course, I forgive you. It’s me who should be apologizing.

I never should’ve come here in the first place…

though I’m glad I did. Even with everything.

After you took me in, I should’ve been grateful.

I should’ve been decent. Instead, I argued and insulted you. I owe you the apology.”

I can’t help the small smile tugging at my lips.

“Well… I’ll admit some of your insults were pretty funny.”

She smiles back, a little lighter now.

“Thanks. I’ve always had a dark sense of humor. Gets me into trouble constantly. But… you said you had more to tell me?”

“I do. And it gets harder.” My chest feels heavy, but I push through.

“First, though—thank you. For what you said about leaving Kill Climate Change. That means a hell of a lot to me. I don’t trust that group, and I don’t trust that man, Tim Collier.

I think there’s more going on there than anyone knows. But that’s for another time.

“Point is—thank you. It matters. More than you realize.

“And yes, Luna. I would like to be your friend.”

I reach out my hand—broad, scarred, work-beaten. She places hers in mine—small, soft, fragile. Just like her.

And in that moment, I’ve never felt more like the damn sasquatch she mocked me for being. Yet her touch is warm, electric, alive. I don’t want to let go. But I do.

Her hand slips back into the long sleeve of Eric’s hoodie. Mine drops to my lap. Still tingling. Still wanting.

I know I’ve said the easy part.

The hardest bit is still to come.

“And now I have a confession to make.”

I stop, swallow hard. This isn’t easy. But it has to be done.

I can already picture her reaction—her hand slapping my face, her storming out of the shed, door slamming behind her.

Maybe she’d even tell the others what I’m about to say.

The thought makes me cringe inside. But still, I have to tell her.

“The night before last, I was outside, just making sure everything was put away, same as always. Well… I walked past your room.” I pause, searching for the words. My throat feels dry as sawdust. Luna is frozen on her stool, her big eyes fixed on me.

“Go on,” she half speaks, half whispers.

“Well, I heard noises, so I… and I know this was wrong of me… I went over to the window and looked in.”

“Uh huh.”

“Yes. I know that was a terrible thing to do. But you see, Luna—what I haven’t told you is that despite our differences of opinion, as a woman, I find you…

well… I think I’ve kinda fallen for you.

I mean, I know we’re opposites. You’re tiny, delicate, and feminine.

I’m huge, clumsy, rough around the edges.

I figured you could never look at me that way.

But that didn’t stop me… from wanting you. ”

The words drag out of me, heavy as lead.

“So then I looked in through the window and I saw the three of you together—you, Jack, and Toby—and first I was angry, and then I was jealous as hell, and I…”

I’ve reached the hardest part. But not saying it is devouring me alive.

“I went back to my room and I… masturbated.” My eyes drop to the bench. I can’t look at her.

“And afterwards, I felt guilty. Very guilty. I’ve never done anything like that before. The irony is that a day or so earlier, you’d accused me of being a peeping Tom—and I was furious with you. Turns out that two days later, that’s exactly what I was. I’ve felt sick with it ever since.

“So you see, I had to confess. I had to ask if you’ll forgive me, because keeping it inside is tearing me up.”

I close my eyes, bracing for the explosion. Dreading her anger. God knows what she’ll call me now.

Instead, I feel something soft brush my cheek—a fingertip, wiping away a tear I hadn’t even known was there.

I open my eyes. She’s looking at me with… compassion.

Her small hand strokes my face, tender and careful.

“You poor boy,” she whispers, her voice low and warm.

“Out here in the wilderness all this time. Seems to me you deserve as much love as the rest of us. You’ve been loyal—to your friends, to your company—but I’m not sure anyone’s ever really appreciated you.

Not properly. What you need, Luke, is some love. ”

And then I freeze as she rises from her stool and moves to sit in my lap. Her weight is nothing, just as I remembered from carrying her down the mountainside a few days ago. She’s light as a bird, soft as a dream.

I open my mouth to speak, but she presses one small finger to my lips.

“Shush,” she says. “I want this. And you’ve told me you want it too. So…”

She leans in, and the world drops away when her delicate lips brush mine.

They say the first kiss is the best. At the touch of her mouth, my whole body melts.

I’m undone. All I can do is give myself up to the warmth and softness of her, to the way she nestles against me.

Her hands bury into my hair, pulling me down harder into her kiss, lips parting to let her tongue flick against mine.

My hands move of their own accord. The sweet curve of her neck, the dip of her shoulder blades, the gentle firmness of her breasts.

I kiss, I nibble, I taste her skin. I tease her nipple with my tongue, and her body jolts against mine like she’s been struck with lightning.

Her hips grind into my lap, and I groan.

“Let’s get undressed,” she whispers.

We strip quickly, clothes tumbling to the floor until we’re standing bare before each other. My breath catches at the sight of her—slim and strong, with soft curves, round hips, delicate breasts. But it’s the trust in her eyes, the softness of her smile, that undoes me completely.

Gently, I lift her. She wraps her legs around my waist, kissing my neck and chest as I hold her. My cock is thick, heavy, aching. She reaches down to guide me, and I feel myself press against her slick heat. Her folds part, and I push in just a little. She gasps.

I know I’m big, and she’s small. I vow to let her set the pace. Inch by inch, she lowers herself onto me, her tight heat gripping me like a velvet fist. My whole body tenses with the effort not to lose it right there.

Finally, I’m buried deep inside her. She moans against my ear, and I have to clench my jaw to keep control.

We move together—slow at first, then faster. Her hips grind down as I thrust up, her nails digging into my shoulders, her lips hot against my neck. She rides me harder, moaning, clinging. I lift her, thrust deep, groaning as the heat builds, unbearable.

Her cries rise higher. My thrusts quicken. I can’t hold it anymore.

She stiffens first, her whole body shuddering around me as her orgasm crashes through her. That tight squeeze tips me over, and I roar, spilling myself deep inside her, wave after wave.

Slowly, the storm passes. I’m still holding her, my cock still pulsing inside her, every inch of me wrapped in the afterglow. I press my lips to hers, soft and lingering.

“That was… amazing,” I whisper.

“Yes,” she whispers back, eyes glowing into mine. “It really was.”