Page 4 of Protective Mountain Man (Cold Mountain Nights #13)

Falan

I can’t believe what I’m doing. How did I let this little brat convince me to take her back to my place.

It’s just until the rain stops and then I’m taking her back to town.

But the rain doesn’t look like it’s going to stop anytime soon and with her arms hugging my waist, I’m coming around to the idea of spending more time with her.

I feel all mixed up. I like being alone. But there is a spark in this girl. The cheeky look in her eye, the determined jut of her chin, there is something about her that sets me on fire.

In my cabin, I watch her as she looks around the place. Trying to see it through a stranger's eyes.

I don’t have much. I’m always ready to move on so there’s not much to pack if I need to go quickly. I like to build things so I have put a lot of my own touches into this cabin. It was just an old two room hunting cabin but I built out the kitchen. Added a small table and chairs.

If I’d had a different life I’d like to have a workshop. Space to have all the tools and build different things. I was never very smart in school but I’ve always been good with my hands.

There I go again, what is it about Ariel that has me thinking about a different life?

“What’s your story brat?”

What would make a girl like this want to run away? My God, if someone is hurting her…. I feel my chest tighten at the thought of it.

She mulls over the question and then looks up at me with big,sad eyes.

“Don’t you ever feel like you just have to get away from it all?”

I shrug and move closer. “I live my life like that. What’s the all that you’re wanting to get away from?”

“The plan. My life, all planned out. You know Kaden, so I’m guessing you know he’s a bit of a wild card.

Growing up he was always getting into trouble.

I was the good one, the one that studied and got good grades.

I never dared step out of line because it would kill my parents if both their kids were… ..”

“A failure?” I ask.

Ariel squares off her shoulders like she’s ready to throw down with me to protect her brother.

“Kaden is not a failure. It’s the schools that only allow for one time of learning.

Kaden’s smarter than me, he just got bored with school and life.

My parents should have had him in special classes, they should have directed his energy toward something he was passionate about.

Then, who knows who Kaden would be today. ”

I shift uncomfortably. Everyone in the gang has different reasons for being there. But one thing we all have in common is that we don’t fit in anywhere else.

“My parents are both academics and believe education is the only way to a successful life.” Ariel was on a roll, the words pouring out of her as she paces around my small cabin.

“Kaden chose a different path. And well…now I want something different. I want adventure. I want freedom. I don’t want to spend my days in a stuffy old office.

I don’t want to teach. I don’t want to do any more study.

I don’t know what I’m looking for but I know I had to get away to find it. ”

Watching her with that spark back in her eyes.

Her whole face lit up with the idea of adventure.

She is like pure sunshine. I wish I could bottle just a bit of her enthusiasm.

It’s been a long time since I felt excited about anything.

But watching her talk. I can feel it. My heart is beating just a little bit faster.

A stirring in my chest. An urge to get moving.

To almost crack a smile. An urge to kiss that wonderful mouth of hers in the hope of feeling more of her energy.

Or just to shut her up. Or just to taste her.

“So you came here? Looking for Kaden? Don’t tell me you want to join the Fallen Stars?”

“Haha no. Well…I mean today was my first time on a bike and I have to say, I liked it. But no, I don’t want to follow Kaden. I don’t want the path my parents have planned for me. I want to do my own thing. I just…I just don’t know what that is yet.”

She stops and looks at me and I feel caught in her questioning gaze. “Can’t I have a home and a family and a life full of adventure? Surely there must be a way?”

I don’t have any answers for her. I am certainly not a shining example of how somebody should live their life.

Based on the thoughts I’m having right now about pinning her down on my bed, I should probably be burning for my lustful thoughts.

This girl is too young for me. And she’s a sister of one of the gang.

That’s well off limits. The fact that I wish she were more available hurts.

I turn a dark frown on her to mask my thoughts.

“Sounds like your parents love you. You’ve got a home. A family. A future. Only a brat would think to run away and hurt those you love.”

Her mouth drops open for a moment and I consider taking back my harsh words. But I have to stay strong to resist the pull she has on me.

She closes her mouth, her lips forming a thin line as she crosses her arms. “I’ve sent them a text that I’m okay.

Plus I’m twenty three. I’m not a brat. I’m an adult and it’s fine for me to take a holiday for a couple of weeks to figure things out.

People do that all the time. At least I’m figuring out what I want while I’m young.

Better than being an old man hiding out from the world, up here in the mountains. ”

That last bit stung. Firstly, I can’t believe she would dare to imply that a member of the Fallen Stars motorbike club is a coward or hiding out. And secondly, her words hit a little too close to home.

“You were wrong to come up here, Ariel. It shows you don’t know the first thing about looking after yourself.”

“This is just one way out of town. I’m leaving as soon as the rain lets up and I can get out of here.” She couldn’t sound more huffy about it if she tried.

“You’re leaving alright” I’m a swirling mix of emotions. Lust, yearning, anger. I can’t help but raise my voice as I yell at her. “Because I’m taking you back to town and your family. I’ll be telling Kaden about your little adventure in the pub last night. How you could have been….”

My fists tighten at my side. My face red with real anger.

She might piss me off, but when I think of what could have happened to her it chills me to the bone. “You’re his problem, not mine. The minute the rain lets up, I’m taking you home.”