Page 4 of Masked Mountain Man (Cold Mountain Nights #3)

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Clover

C rap. This can’t be happening. That big jerk told me I was his, then left me all alone in the garden, waiting almost two hours for him to come back. The embarrassment of knowing he wasn’t going to return made me leave after waiting nearly ninety minutes.

I need to get him out of here before he tries to touch me and notices that my body isn’t as firm as it was the night of the masked ball when I wore spandex to hide my curves.

The loose-fitting sewing smock I’m wearing makes me look shapeless.

It hangs down past my thighs, almost to my knees, leaving only a small part of my black leggings showing.

It’s a good thing his discarded mask is in my bedroom at home, not on display in my office like that darn calendar. “So, what if it is?”

“So, what if it is, Cinderella, is I think you know exactly who I am.”

“Are you going to keep repeating everything I say before you answer?” This man is so infuriating.

“I don’t know. Are you going to let me take you out on a date?”

Four weeks ago, I would have fallen for his smooth-talking style, but not after the way he left me. “Why don’t you ask Mr. Snuggles out?”

“Ah, I get it now. I was curious why you left after I asked you to wait—you’re jealous of Mr. Snuggles.”

“I am not. He’s just some stupid internet cat.” I cringe at my terrible retort, but this man has me so flustered I can’t think clearly.

“He certainly is, and he’s spoiled rotten.

” He moves closer, lifting his hand to my hair, pulling a random pencil from the tight bun I’m wearing, and throws it on my desk.

“Do you know why I was so late getting back to you?” His hand finds the clip in my hair that’s holding all my hair in place. “You know I came back for you, right?”

“It doesn’t matter. I’ve already forgotten about it.” My heart races with both fear and lust—lust from his hand in my hair, and fear of what he might do if he moves any closer and feels all my curves I had hidden the night of the masked ball.

His eyes search mine, and I feel my glasses slipping down my nose.

Why did I choose today to skip wearing my contacts?

“Alright then, but let me make it up to you.” He unclips the barrette holding my hair, letting it cascade down my back in waves.

“Beautiful.” He sets the barrette on my desk before running his fingers through my hair, his lips dangerously close to mine.

Giving up the fight, I lean forward, my lips seeking his. When the sound of a door opening startles me, I jump back in surprise as all three of my sisters file into my office.

“Oh, Mr. Blackwood, we didn’t realize you were back here.” I roll my eyes at Rue’s horrible, fake shocked expression upon discovering the two of us in my office.

“I was just trying to talk Clover here into going out with me.” He doesn’t take his eyes off me as he answers my sister.

“And I was just in the process of telling Mr. Blackwood that I am way too busy to go on a date with him, since Jessa and Bay’s wedding is only three days away.

I need time to alter whatever dress she picks today.

” I place my hands on his solid chest with a shove and shift my body behind my desk, conveniently putting some space between us.

“Now, if you’ll excuse me.” I glance at my computer, silently dismissing him.

But I don’t sit down, fearing that my smock will hug my curves when I’m seated and reveal my true figure.

I feel his eyes on me. The intensity of his gaze sends a pulse of heat rushing through my body, centering on my core, causing my clit to thump wildly.

“This isn’t over, Clover. I told you the night of the masked ball that you were mine, and I plan to claim you.” Out of the corner of my eye, I see him spin on his heel and stride out the door, tipping his head at my sisters as he leaves. “Ladies.”

The moment he’s out of the room, Laurel slams the door as all three of my sisters rush to my side. “What is he talking about? You never made it to the masked ball.” Rue raises an eyebrow, giving me that look that would normally break me, causing me to spill all my secrets, but not today.

“It’s nothing.” I shrug, not wanting them to see how deeply his presence affected me.

In a million years, I never thought Bale would recognize me away from the ball. He hadn’t seen my face behind the mask, and my body and hair were different. Besides, why would he want plain, dumpy me when Mr. February could have any woman he wanted?

“It’s not nothing, Clover.” Fern jumps into the conversation. “The way that man was looking at you like he wanted to throw you across your desk and ravish you, almost got me pregnant.”

“He’s mine," I growl before I can stop myself.

“Oh, he does mean something to you.” Fern smiles. “It’s about time one of us found a man.”

“He’s not mine. I don’t know why I said that.” I try to backtrack, but my sisters aren’t buying it. “We met in the garden behind the community center. We danced. He got called away for work. He asked me to wait for him. I did. He never came back, so I left. End of story.”

“Did he explain why he didn’t come back for you?” Laurel picks up the barrette from my desk and begins fixing my hair, placing it back in my usual bun style.

“I didn’t give him a chance. He said he returned, and I was gone. I was too hurt to let him explain.”

“And why didn’t you let him explain?”

I glance from sister to sister, each waiting expectantly for my answer, “Because that night was magical. I wasn’t the shy, chunky girl with glasses.

I was a sexy woman hiding behind a mask and spandex.

Now that he’s seen me without the mask and gorgeous dress, he’ll realize he made a mistake and be thankful I gave him a way out. ”

“Clover, did you not see the way that man was looking at you? He saw you—the real you.” Fern’s voice is stern but caring. “Jessa and Bay invited all of us to the wedding and the wedding reception. Take a few days to think about what you’re giving up if you don’t take a chance on Bale.”

Each of my sisters gives me a hug before leaving me alone with my thoughts about what could be if I were brave enough to take a chance on Bale.