Page 2 of Protective Mountain Man (Cold Mountain Nights #13)
Falan
The minute I entered the bar I could feel the danger.
It didn’t take much to see the situation that was about to unfold here.
Sitting at the bar was the prettiest little thing, brown hair swept up into a messy bun, black rimmed glasses perched on the sweetest little ski-jump nose.
High check bones, soft, clear skin. She is the kind of girl I used to dream of.
That is when I used to let myself dream of a different life than this.
I like my world just fine. Riding with the Fallen Stars. Taking off to new places. Living up here in the wilds. No one to tell us what to do or how to live. But a girl like this could have me dreaming of white picket fences and lazy Sunday mornings.
What the heck is she doing in a place like this?
Her sweater doesn’t hide her curves, her gym pants showing off juicy thighs that make my hands ache.
And here she is, all sweet, sexy innocence, surrounded by some of the worst men around.
I immediately feel protective of her. I have to get her out of here.
And it had better be quick judging by the looks she’s getting from the men.
Talking to her is sweet agony. All I want to do is pick her up and carry her out of here.
I’m too busy trying to ignore my primal urges, looking into her sweet brown eyes or watching the way her mouth moves when she talks.
That’s why I missed Rocket turning up on the other side of her.
But I can't miss the fear in the girl’s eyes with Rocket’s hand on her arm.
“You had your chance, Falan. Time for you to leave.” Rocket’s words are slightly slurred. He’s been drinking so I might have an advantage if I act quick.
“I’m not leaving without the girl.” I give Rocket a dark warning look. But seeing the girl wince as his grip tightened, I know it’s time to take action.
One arm around her, picking her up and pinning her to the side of my body.
At the same time I swing my right fist. Connecting solidly with Rocket’s hard jaw.
Swinging around I look for more takers but nobody's moving. There’s enough of my gang in tonight to keep the odds in my favor.
Hefting the girl up, my arm now under her curvaceous ass, I storm toward the door.
Ready for any attack. Trying to ignore how good her body feels against mine or that she smells of summer fields and fresh cut oranges.
Outside it’s starting to rain. I put the girl on her feet by her little hatchback.
But I’m reluctant to let her go, letting her slide down my body and holding her for a moment to savour the feel of her soft curves.
The ache in my groin lets me know it’s been far too long up here alone.
Too long since I held a woman. Let alone a beauty like this.
But once on her feet she shakes herself and throws me an angry glare.
“How dare you man handle me like that!” Her voice is wobbly and unsure but the anger is real.
“Manhandle you? You should be thanking me for getting you out of there.” I would be angry at her ungratefulness, but I’m entranced by the raindrops on her long black lashes, on that cute little nose.
On her lips. I’m drawn to her. A need to taste those sweet lips.
A longing to feel her body against mine once again.
And then ZAP . Fuck!
I jump back. I can see the stun gun in her hand before she jumps in her car and is gone. Damn it. The pain in my hand is immense but it must have been on low. I stretch my fingers and shake my hand.
The rain is pouring down hard now. Who the hell is this girl? I want to go after her. I want to get my hands on her. I want to know that she is okay.
“Guess that will teach you not to go around rescuing damsels in distress.”
I glance over to see Bear, a fellow Fallen Angel and long time friend, standing there with his arms crossed.
“She got me with a bloody stun gun.” I still can’t quite believe it.
“I saw.” Bear grins, obviously finding the whole thing amusing. “Forget about her. Probably a townie wandered too far from home. Come on back in. Fight is over now and I’ll buy you a drink.”
Best I go in and make peace with Rocket.
It’s the way it is out here. We can get violent.
Throw punches. But we don’t hold a grudge.
A couple of beers and all will be forgiven.
But still, I look off down the road thinking about the beautiful woman with the black rimmed glasses.
The woman who needs protection despite the weapon she carries with her.
I rub my sore hand. What I wouldn’t do to see her again.
* * * * *
It was a restless night’s sleep, filled with images of the girl. Some were hot. But some were a mix of her smile, a gentle touch. The smell of oranges and a feeling of home. It’s been a long time since I felt so warm and content and it left me feeling disorientated.
Add to that, I woke to a loud banging. I yank open my front door with a growl, ready to fight. The fact it is one of my own gang only lessens the anger slightly.
“What the fuck, Kaden?”
Kaden’s a little younger than me. But we both wear the same name on our jackets and that makes us family.
Fallen Stars. It’s a fitting name for our gang.
Everyone of us damaged. Rejected. But we are family.
We ride together, die together. Kaden is possibly going to die sooner than the rest of us for waking me up so early.
He pushes past me. A panicked look in his eye.
“It’s my sister. She’s missing. My parents messaged me and I’ve got a missed call from her yesterday.”
I shrug. “She’s probably out partying.”
“You don’t know my sister. She’s not like this. She’s a good girl. Smart. Not into boys. It’s not like her to just disappear. Jerico said there was a woman at the bar last night?"
I snort. It’s unlikely the woman who haunted my dreams is Kaden’s little sister. I shake my head. “That was some young woman. God knows what she was up, only hung around long enough to get the boys riled up.”
“Ariel is twenty three. Brown hair. Wears glasses.”
Shit!
“What the fuck’s your sister doing coming up here?”
“She was probably looking for me.” Kaden sits down in a chair, looking pale. “If anything happens to her…”
“I got her out of the bar last night. Don’t worry, we’ll find her.”