Page 15 of Mountain Daddy (Mountain Men #2)

Luther

I roll my head to the side and look at her.

Tits bare. Soft skin on display. Smile on her lips.

I smile too. “I’m glad I decided to come in tonight.”

Kendra rolls her head toward me. “I’m glad I decided to stop in tonight.”

A lock of hair falls across her cheek.

I reach out and, letting my fingertip ghost over her skin, brush it off her face.

She holds my gaze, and I figure I might as well tell her now. “I’m staying here tonight.”

The side of her mouth pulls up. “You have a room too?”

“Brat.”

“I guess I’ll allow it.” Kendra lets out a dramatic sigh. “But fair warning, I’m about seven minutes away from falling asleep.”

I grin. “I might make it eight.”

She chuckles, then rolls away from me and climbs off the bed.

The bedside lamp doesn’t let off a lot of light, but there’s enough for me to see enough .

Except it’s not enough.

I don’t want to be done with Kendra.

Sleeping beside her isn’t enough.

One fuck isn’t enough.

But it’s all I have.

She’s just passing through.

She’s too young for me.

She’s fucking perfect for me.

I stare at the ceiling.

How unfair for the universe to give me Kendra. But to only give her to me for one night.

She steps out of the bathroom wearing little pajama shorts and a thin tank top.

It’s not lingerie. It’s cotton. But it’s just as sexy as her walking around naked.

With one arm propped behind my head, I watch her cross the room.

I don’t hide my perusal of her. And it’s only fair since she’s taking me in the same way.

I pulled my boxer briefs back on, but I’m still naked from the waist up. And with the covers down around my hips—so she can climb into bed with me—I still have a lot on display.

She’s still eyeing me when she stops on her side of the bed.

I narrow my eyes. “What?”

She shakes her head. “I’m normally not this shallow, but seriously, you could…”

“Model?” I suggest, completely joking, as she says, “Make porn.”

Her answer is not at all what I’m expecting, and a loud bark of laughter jumps out of my chest. “You’re ridiculous. Get in bed.”

She hesitates, and I suddenly don’t feel like laughing.

“What is it?” I ask.

She lifts her shoulders, holds them there for a second, then drops them.

“I know this should be a before , not an after topic, but I just wanted to say that you don’t have to worry about me getting pregnant.

And I haven’t been with anyone since my last doctor’s visit, so you don’t have to worry about… that either.”

I feel like such an idiot.

I lower my arm so I can twist toward her. “I’m sorry. I’m old enough to know better. I was just so caught up in you… I wasn’t thinking. But tonight was the first time in probably twenty years that I haven’t used a condom. You’ve got nothing to worry about from me either.”

She rolls her lips together. “Yeah, you really are old enough.”

I shake my head. “You really are a brat.” Relaxing onto my back, I stretch out my arm closest to her. “Come here.”

Finally, she climbs into bed.

As she scoots closer to me, I reach out with my other hand and turn off the lamp.

Darkness settles around us as Kendra settles her cheek on my shoulder.

I pull the blanket up to her chin.

Her hand settles on my chest.

“Luther?” she whispers into the room.

“Yeah, Baby?”

“Thank you for tonight.”

I curl my arm around her back, holding her tighter against my side. “You don’t have to thank me for the best night…”

Best night in a long time.

Best night ever? In all my years?

Kendra’s shoulders relax under my arm.

And… she’s asleep.

Just like that.

She told me she was minutes from falling asleep. And she was right.

I said I was right behind her, but the truth is I sleep like shit.

And being somewhere new, anywhere that’s not my bed, I’m even less likely to fall asleep.

I lean my head forward and kiss the top of her head. Then I press my nose to her hair. Wanting to memorize her scent.

At least tonight, when sleep eludes me, I can spend the time soaking up Kendra’s presence.

I wake on a deep inhale.

It takes me two blinks to remember where I am. And who I’m with.

Kendra.

She’s turned some in her sleep, curling into my side.

I lift my head to look at the clock.

Seven.

I don’t think I woke up once.

I don’t even remember falling asleep.

My eyes move back to Kendra.

I want to stay.

I need to pee.

I want to come back to bed after.

Want to go back to sleep and wake up together.

Ask her to breakfast.

But it would only prolong this niggling depressive feeling.

Kendra allowed me to stay the night, and that’s what I’ve done.

I won’t ask for more.

I gently press a kiss to her forehead, then slide out of bed.

She stirs, adjusting the blankets around her.

I force myself to turn away.

“Bye, Daddy.”

Kendra’s whispered words halt me.

But when I look back, her eyes are already closing, and she’s hugging the pillow I’d been using.

“Bye, Kendra Doll.”