Page 67 of Mountain Hero

After several minutes, Enzo makes a sort of shooing gesture, and Bryan takes off like a scared mouse scurrying away from the cat hunting him. Then Enzo heads back in my direction, his posture still rigid and intimidating, innocent bystanders still rushing out of his way.

The moment he reaches me, though, his features soften. He lifts his chin at Max and says, “Thanks, man,” before gathering me into his arms.

“Are you okay?” he murmurs into my ear. “I’m sorry I left you. But I wanted to make sure he got my message.”

“I’m okay.” Snuggling into his chest, I let his reassuring embrace chase the lingering chill of fear away. “What did you say to him?”

Enzo gazes down at me. “Do you want the nice answer, or the morally gray one?”

“The gray one.”

“Okay.” He kisses my head before continuing, “I told him if I ever saw him near you, he’d be sorry. And I let him know my specialty in the Army. I also mentioned having some friends who are just as well-trained and protective as I am. I let him know how unhappy they would be to hear about him bothering you.”

“Oh. Well, that’s not too bad?—”

“And I also said his disappearance could be arranged.” Enzo’s eyes go dark and dangerous. “The same goes for any of Thomas’s other lowlife friends. If anyone gives you any trouble, even looks at you, they’re going to regret it.” A corner of his mouth lifts. “I suggested it might be better if he found a new place to live, far away from Bliss, as well.”

Oh.

Well.

Is it weird that seeing Enzo all threatening is kind of sexy?

“Is that okay, Winter?” A flicker of uncertainty moves across his face. “Not that I’m sorry I said that to him, and I meant it, but I don’t want to freak you out?—”

“You didn’t.”

“No?”

“No. In fact…” I brush my lips across his. “I love that you did that for me. And honestly?” Leaning close to his ear, I whisper, “You look really sexy right now.”

His brows jump up, and he drags out, “Oh, really?”

“Yes. Really.” This kiss is longer—long enough for Max to make little hooting noises in the background. When I pull away, I add, “I do want to go to the book sale. But after that? I’d really like to go home and show you just how sexy I think you are.”

“Ah.” His gaze heats. “I think that’s a fantastic idea.”

I love Blissful Days.

Something strikes me.

A giggle bubbles up in my chest.

“What?” Enzo looks at me in confusion.

“I was just thinking. We’re having a blissful day. And then later, we can have a blissful night.” The giggle escapes. “Yes. I know. It’s cheesy.”

He grins. “Maybe. But I love it. And I can’t wait.”

CHAPTER 18

ENZO

I can’t think of a better way to start the day than this.

Kissing my way down Winter’s body, her skin satin-soft beneath my lips.

Breathing in the faint scent of citrus and flowers and something else indescribable that’s uniquely her.

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