Page 13 of Her Mountain Man Stalker

But before I can do more than groan with frustration, I’m already leaping out of bed. I barely have time to brush my teeth and yank on some fresh clothes before I’m striding out into the chilly morning air and climbing into my truck. My heart races as I floor it down the mountain. It’s only been twenty minutes since Scarlett left my cabin, but it already feels like hours.

I need to see her. I need to know she’s safe.

The thought of anything happening to Scarlett is like a knife in my gut, the blade twisting painfully into my flesh. I know she’s just heading to work. I know she’s a strong and capable woman and that she should be perfectly safe in a coffee shop in Winterdale. But fuck, that doesn’t stop my mind from racing with scenarios: her car coming off the road, toppling down the mountain…a fire at the coffee shop, black smoke filling Scarlett’s lungs…an armed robbery, a gun pointing in her direction as a man in a ski mask raids the cash register. Most people would call me paranoid. Crazy. But I know better than anybody that badthings happen sometimes, without warning, tearing people’s worlds apart and breaking their damn hearts.

But not to Scarlett. Not her. I won’t let anything hurt her. As long as I’m here, watching, guarding, ready to protect her, she’ll be safe, and everything will be okay.

Relief swells inside me as I spot Scarlett’s green hatchback parked outside Mountain Brew, and I position my truck as close to the coffee shop as I can, making sure I have a clear view through the window. My heart leaps into my throat as I catch sight of Scarlett behind the counter, grinning as she speaks to a customer. She looks painfully adorable in her little apron, her hair tied back in a messy bun. As I stare at her, I think back to our night together: the way her eyes rolled back as she screamed my name, the way she gripped me tight as she came for me, the look of pure need on her face as we washed each other in the shower, the bathroom steaming up as I fucked Scarlett up against the wall. I remember her soft hands and the taste of her raspberry ChapStick; her sweet laugh and blushing cheeks.

My perfect girl.

With these thoughts running through my mind, I settle back in my seat, my heart racing and my gaze fixed unwaveringly on Scarlett.

9

Scarlett

I do everything I’m supposed to. I greet customers with a smile on my face, serve drinks, clean mugs and tables, chat with my colleagues, grinning and laughing all the while. But my mind is back in Gunner’s cabin. It’s not hard to smile at everyone when I’m glowing with happiness, sunlight streaming from every pore. Last night was the best night of my life, and the delicious soreness between my legs this morning is a constant reminder of what happened with Gunner. It might look like I’m taking orders and pouring coffee, but really I’m remembering the way it felt to be full of his cock…the way his green eyes watched me hungrily as I screamed for him…

I can’t believe I lost my virginity to a sexy older mountain man.

Thinking about it makes me giddy, and I feel like I’m floating around Mountain Brew as the day wears on. It’s a cute place, full of friendly people and delicious smells, and the job itself is simple. But still, I wish I could have stayed with Gunner this morning. It would have been amazing to spend the whole day with him.

The hours fly by with Gunner on my mind, and at just after two, I carry a mug of coffee over to one of the little tables near the window, smiling at the old lady sitting there with a newspaper.

“Enjoy your coffee,” I tell her brightly, and she thanks me with a smile.

I’m about to turn away when something catches my eye out of the window. There’s a big pickup truck parked next to my car, the same make and model as Gunner’s. Trying to be discreet, I pretend I’m looking out at the stores across the street, but my eyes slide to the windshield of the truck. It’s impossible to make out the person’s features from here, but I can see the telltale signs of Gunner’s broad shoulders and hulking frame, and my pulse quickens. I can’t be sure it’s him, not one hundred percent, but now that I’ve noticed the truck, I swear I can feel eyes on me.

Is he watching me?

I’ve had vague suspicions about Gunner following me ever since he mentioned Law & Order, but I wrote it off as paranoia. Anyway, Winterdale is a small town, the closest town to both Gunner and me, so we’re bound to cross paths around here sometimes. But the minutes tick by and the truck doesn’t move. A few more quick glances reveal that the same figure is still sitting in the driver’s seat, and I’m suddenly finding it hard to breathe.

How long has he been following me?

Or is there some other explanation that I’m just not seeing?

I spend the rest of my shift distracted, shooting furtive looks out the window every chance I get. But the truck doesn’t move, and neither does the man sitting in it. I don’t know how to feel. There’s a thrill of pleasure and excitement at the thought of Gunner watching me, keeping me safe. But I also know that it’s wrong. If he really has been stalking me, he’s crossing a line, and I’ll have to confront him. Nerves flutter in my throat at the thought, and I try to think of how I’m going to bring this up. But first, I need to be one hundred percent sure. I can’t accuse him of following me without being certain, and as I finish up my shift, a plan starts to form in my mind.

***

Once I’ve finished all my tasks, I take off my apron and head for the door. Immediately, I notice the pickup truck start, driving away and out of sight the second before I’ve even crossed the threshold. My suspicions are roused more than ever, but I’m determined to carry out my plan to be sure. Even if Gunner followed me here today, that doesn’t mean he’s been watching me at my cabin too. I need to know if the noises outside I’ve been hearing were him all along. I need to know if he was stalking me the night I arrived in Crave County.

I drive away from Mountain Brew, my heart pumping as I wind my way up the mountain path until I reach my cabin. It looks more like a shed compared to Gunner’s place, but it’s just as charming, and I hurry into the living room, heading for the window by the couch and throwing it open wide so that my voice will carry through the trees. Then, I wait.

I try to look natural, kicking back on the couch, grabbing a book from the coffee table and pretending to read. But I’m barely breathing as I strain my ears, listening for any unusual sounds outside. There’s nothing but the twittering of birds and the gentle creak of the trees as they sway in the wind.

Crack.

I suck in a breath as a branch snaps nearby, but I don’t move. I keep on pretending to read, listening hard. Muffled noises are coming from around the cabin, like somebody creeping around, trying to be quiet. But Gunner’s a big guy, and the footfalls outside are too heavy to disguise completely. It’s now or never.

I clear my throat and speak as clearly as possible. “Hey Siri, find me somewhere nearby that delivers red velvet cake.”

The automated voice comes back as I knew it would. “I’m sorry. I couldn’t find anywhere nearby that delivers red velvetcake to your address. Would you like me to search for something else?”

I give a loud, theatrical groan. “Damn, Siri, I’ve been craving red velvet cake all day. I knew I should have grabbed some before I left Winterdale.”

I tune out Siri’s robotic response, listening intently as the movement outside suddenly stops. Then, as expected, I hear noises leading away from my cabin, heading back into the woods. I press my lips together, holding back a smile as I close the window and settle back on the couch, waiting.

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