Page 11 of Mountain Man Bodyguard (Mountain Men of Pineville #4)

“Considering she made the first move, no one was taken advantage of, Finn. Cool your temper. She’s an adult, for criminy sake.” Kane shot back.

Yeah, big brother needed to be set straight on a couple of things before I really got mad. Of all the idiotic things for him to say. And on my birthday, no less. Padding down the hallway, I entered the room just as my brother took a swing at Kane.

But Kane sidestepped it. I don’t think Finn was trying that hard to make contact, but as soon as he saw me, he shoved Kane backward, which earned him a shove right back, and then it was on.

Idiots. They weren’t really fighting, just peacocking, I think it’s called. Either way, I was still pissed.

“Whoa. Finn, back off! In case you’ve forgotten, but maybe getting married and having a kid has addled your brain further than it already was, I’m a grown-ass woman, and I decide who gets to take advantage of me.

Plus, you knucklehead, check a calendar once in a while.

Today’s my birthday, and this is not the way I wanted to be spending it.

With you trying to pull some honor code shit with your friend. ”

Both men barked out, “What?” at the same time.

It really was like being in a B movie at this point, and my patience and need for caffeine were both in dire straits.

“Finn, apologize to Kane. He’s done nothing wrong.

Then tell me what you have to tell me and leave.

Wait. Why are you still in Idaho? I thought you and Sami were supposed to be going back to Colorado yesterday? ”

Kane’s gaze hadn’t left me since I announced it was my birthday. I could see he felt bad, but he’d already given me the best one yet. I just wasn’t going to share that news with Finn. Like ever.

Finn really was one of the good ones, but his need to be both mine and Caitlyn’s pseudo-father often made him say and do stupid things. “I’m waiting.”

My brother looked from me to Kane and then back to me again. He laughed and then shook his head. “Well, I guess it could be worse.”

“Oh, yeah. How so?” Kane narrowed his eyes at Finn, his body once again tense as he took a step closer to the friend who’d asked for his help. Kane appeared as if he were ready to go into battle for me.

Wow, if I hadn’t already fallen for him before, that protective, and sexy as hell move had just solidified it for me.

“It could have been your younger brother.” Finn smirked.

Unfazed, Kane responded, “Which one?”

“Either one.”

And just like that they made up, slapped each other on the back, and what…just…happened? I tried to put together all the nonverbal stuff that had gone on, but really caffeine was needed, stat.

“Um, so we all good now? Great. So glad you worked through all that testosterone. Tell me the news.” I walked over to the kitchen and began making coffee since neither man had picked up on my telepathic need.

“You’re going to marry her, right?” Finn ignored me entirely, speaking to Kane as if we were in an episode of Bridgeton instead of the B-movie it felt like.

My gaze swung to Kane, who blinked a couple of times, then his face split in two as his eyes darkened, zeroing in on me, my mouth hanging open, cold water overflowing onto the counter.

“Not sure. She’s a bit willful.”

“And bossy. But I’m sure you’ve noticed.” Finn managed to play along with a straight face.

“Yeah, it’s sexy as hell, then there’s this thing?—”

“And I’m out.” My brother spun on a heel and strode toward the door. As if the last ten minutes had never happened, he whistled off-key. Satisfied that he and one of his best friends had just decided my future.

“Wait! Why…I mean what did you come here to tell me?” Down was up, and up was nowhere to be found, but I would hold it together. At least until Finn delivered his message and left.

“The initial intel panned out. The messages came from a group in Saudi Arabia that targets female entrepreneurs. The next step would have been extortion. They’ve contacted the Saudi government, and so far, that group has been shut down, but unfortunately, they’re like roaches; they’re everywhere.

But as of right now. Your ‘superfan’ has been retired.

” Finn closed the door and then paused. “London, I’m counting on you.

” And with that, my brother shut the door firmly behind him.

“Message received.” Kane saluted the closed door and then held out a hand toward me.

“What the hell was that?”

“Happy Birthday, Chas. I’m sorry we were interrupted.” His hand still out, he came closer until he was flush against me.

“Did you just agree with my brother to marry me?” My coffee forgotten, I looked up into Kane’s face.

What I saw made me sway toward him. Instead of being mad, I was in awe.

Because damn, he’s nothing like I imagined my perfect guy would be and yet…

his drug-like kisses, his raspy laugh, and the way he looks at me, since that first day, like he is right now, as if I’m already his dammit, he’s managed to do what I thought impossible.

Kane London has changed my mind on relationships and, okay, maybe happily ever after too, but I’d save that last part for another day. He was already quite proud of himself.

“If you need a list of, you know, my finer qualities, need I remind you that I give great orgasms?” Kane tried, he really did, to keep a straight face, but he failed. So far, that had been the only thing that hadn’t gone his way since we met.

Nodding, I played along. “There is that.”

Well?

“I’ll think about it.” I would, but really, he knew, and I knew what my answer would be. But I figured it was my turn to saunter off for once. With a fake lean in, I spun around and made an exit that feels very much like an entrance to my, to our new phase—together.

Unbuttoning Kane’s shirt as I cross the threshold to the bedroom, I let it slip from my fingers.

I hear, “Damn,” mumbled right before heavy footfalls pound down the hallway. And just before he reaches me, he laughs and says, “I hope you did your stretches and there’s still some juice left in that patch. I have some new plans for your special day.”

Sighing, I open my arms and think Happy 40 th , Chassie .