Page 5 of Protective Mountain Man (Cold Mountain Nights #13)
Ariel
I stare out the window at the rain pelting down outside.
The dirt road turned to mud. Good. It’s good that Falan has to be stuck with me.
Serves him right for thinking he can boss me around.
It’s been an hour since he shouted that he was taking me home.
And not a word has passed between us in that time.
He cooked us a hot stew for lunch. Dropped a plate on the table for me without a word.
And now I sit here in a wooden rocking chair, staring out the window. Occasionally looking over to watch Falan. I like the way he moves around. Putting more wood on the fire. Cleaning up after lunch. He has a quiet energy. I wonder what he thinks about when he is alone. What he does with his time.
Obviously he likes to ride. And now that I’ve experienced the roar of the engine under me, I can completely understand why. Being on a motorcycle is exhilarating. Like pure freedom. I want more of that feeling in my life.
But he has this cabin. The chair I’m on seems handmade. Same with the table and chairs. I can picture him quietly sanding down wood. Taking care with his touch. Lovingly stroking his work. Those big hands…
Cripes, did it suddenly get hotter in here?
He’s a big guy, but I’m not afraid of him.
In fact, I find everything about him thrilling.
Living out here on his own terms. Nobody to tell him what to do.
His broad chest and big, strong arms. I know for a fact how strong he is.
Able to lift me without wincing and that’s no small feat.
I’ve been buying my clothes in the plus size area for a long time now.
“Can you stop staring at me?” His words are angry. I shake myself. I hadn’t even realised I was now watching him. But looking at Fallan is a lot more exciting than watching the rain.
I stand up and stretch. I notice his eyes on my breasts thrust forward and it sends a thrill all over my body. I give him a smile as I walk around the chair. Running my fingertips along the wood as I make my way slowly around the room.
“There’s not much else to look at.” I answer him with a cheeky smile. “You don’t have much stuff. No pictures of family. No souvenirs from your travels.”
He gives me a dark look. But there is a hint of pain in his eyes.
Maybe the loner lifestyle isn’t his choice.
I assumed he has family somewhere, like my brother Kaden.
But Falan might have different reasons for being all alone.
It makes my heart ache for him. I want to wrap my arms around him and make it all better.
He is in the kitchen area and I approach slowly. The table and chairs between us. Leaning over the back of a dining chair gives him a good glimpse of cleavage.
“You should get yourself a girlfriend. This place needs a woman’s touch.”
The look he gives me is hot as hell. Full of hunger and heat.
And it has an effect. My knees go weak. I’m surprised I’m not a quivering puddle on the floor.
Was it the word girlfriend? Or touch? I don’t know but he is looking at me like he wants to get his hands on me and suddenly the air is filled with sexual tension. Just a table between us now.
“What would you know about it, brat?” His words are a deep grumble. A warning to stop.
But instead I make my way around the table. “You can talk to me, Falan.”
There is a long pause before he says anything more. And then, grudgingly, “It’s been a long time that I’ve been on the road. I like my freedom but this life can get lonely.”
“You don’t want a family one day?” I ask.
“The life I’ve lived.” He shrugs. “Some men don’t deserve that life.”
I reach up to touch him. But stop just short. My hand left hanging in the air between us for a moment.
“Everybody deserves to be loved.” My voice a mere whisper. I clear my throat and start again. “Seems to me like we are similar. Both scared to go out into the world.”
He fixes me with those beautiful green, emerald eyes. “I’m not scared of anything.”
There is a hardness behind that look. But also a little boy, hurt and rejected by the world.
My hand comes up again. Landing on his chest. Close to his heart. Meant to comfort and sooth. A touch. A connection. But there is an undeniable heat between us. An attraction that seems ready to explode now that I’m touching him.
My heat beats loudly. Our breath and the crack of the fire are the only sounds in that small cabin. All alone. No more barriers between us. For a minute, time stands still as my body starts to shake.
And then in one swift movement, I’m pulled into his arms. My body melting against his as his mouth claims mine in a deep, hungry kiss that has my head spinning.
His hands on my back, holding me to him. His tongue against mine. Our breath as one. My heart races. I grip at his shirt. Wanting to be closer to him. Pulling it up to feel the hot skin on his back. Hard muscles everywhere. And still I want more.