Page 136 of Mountain Daddy (Mountain Men #2)

Kendra

When I wake up, the first thing I notice is being surrounded by warmth.

I could get used to this.

I blink my eyes open.

That’s a dangerous thought.

I take in the man beside me.

Relaxed in sleep, Luther looks like himself.

Asleep, I can see the difference. I can see how tense he’s been the last few times I’ve seen him.

Hurting you is the last thing I ever wanted to do.

I don’t deserve another chance with you.

I stare at the line of his jaw.

He didn’t ask for another chance. Just said he didn’t deserve one.

I assume he wants one, but assuming things hasn’t worked out too well for us.

And what if…

I roll my lips together.

What if he’s only here out of pity? Because he feels bad about what I went through?

I don’t want that.

I can’t have that.

I think I could forgive him for a lot of things. But I couldn’t forgive him for being with me for any other reason than wanting me.

I take a slow breath.

No assumptions, Kendra.

Slowly, I extract myself from Luther’s hold.

I have a call with a supplier this morning. The perfect excuse to get out of bed.

Because we do need to talk. But if I stay next to a mostly naked Luther much longer, it won’t be our mouths that do the talking.