Page 8 of Protective Mountain Man (Cold Mountain Nights #13)

Ariel

Returning home and explaining things to my family was not easy. I’ve never stood up to them before. But, with my arms around Falan, on the back of his bike, the roar of the engine under me, I drew power from the experience.

Standing with Falan a couple of doors down from my parents house, he leans back against the bike , hugging me to him. This is where we stay goodbye. Even though it’s probably only for a day or two, everything feels so new and powerful, we both struggle to let go.

“I think I should come in. I don’t like the idea of you going in there alone.”

I lean back and smile up at him. “I’ll be fine. They are good parents, they’ll want me to be happy.”

He tucks a curl behind my ear. “I could help.”

I shake my head. “I don’t think you should be there when I tell them I’m dropping out of college.

” I put my hands under his t’shirt, letting the warm of his rock hard abs warm me.

“And I’m not sure you should be there when I tell them I’ve fallen in love with a motorcycle riding, member of the Fallen Angels, older, reclusive mountain man. ”

He smiles. “Okay I get your point.” He kisses me softly. But then grips me to him and squeezes my ass. “And not so reclusive anymore.”

I push him away with a laugh. As he gets on his bike and gets himself settled, he looks at me, shakes his head and smiles. “I can’t believe there was ever a time you didn’t stand up for yourself. You seem all powerful and confident to me. And sexy as all hell.”

His words make me feel all hot and wobbly. My man can melt me with just a few words. But it’s true. It’s only been a few days but I have changed. Meeting Falan has given me the strength I needed. The courage to be my own person.

Explaining to my parents that I haven’t gone off the rails was a test of that new found courage.

“This isn’t the same as when Kaden left home. I just want the freedom to make my own choices and live my own life. Not follow some pre-desitined plan.”

“But what if you make the wrong decisions?” I was glad they were at least listening, if they were concerned I was throwing my life away.

“Well, that might happen.” I smile at my parents. “And that’s how I’ll learn from them.”

* * * * *

Five days later they met what they considered my first wrong decision when they met Falan. Not wanting to commit to living in town, Falan had been staying with a friend on the outskirts of town. But after five days of me sneaking off to see him, he declared it was time he met the parents.

Bringing home a leather clad, motorcycle riding, older man did not go over well.

But Falan was determined to prove himself worthy.

Helping my dad fix some things around the home.

Helping my mom in the kitchen. In fact, during those first few first meetings, I got very little attention from him because he was so focused on my parents.

My parents were just coming around to the idea that Falan and I might be good for each other when it was time to tell my brother. The boys went off to the bar and returned looking like they might have rolled around in the dirt and Falan was showing signs of a black eye.

“Everything okay?” I ask.

Falan nods. “Kaden wasn’t buying that we could be so madly in love so quickly. But when I swore to him that I would lay down my life to protect you, that’s when he accepted that we are together.”

“I never thought I’d see someone like Falan give up the road.” Kaden has his arms crossed, giving me a warning look like only an older brother can.

“He’s not giving it up. In fact, I’ve been thinking I might get a bike of my own.”

“No you’re not!” This came from Kaden, Falan and my father all at the same time. Well at least these men were agreeing on something.

Later, when we were on our own, Falan asked me. “Do you really want a bike of your own?”

“I think it would be fun to learn how to ride. And I love the feeling of being on a bike. But I’m also happy riding on the back with you.”

“Good. I like having you close.” And with that, he went about demonstrating just how close he likes us to be.