Page 56 of Strictly Forbidden

“I could think of worse ways to spend my life. Let’s get you inside before you freeze to death.”

“Contrary to what you just witnessed, I’m not a fragile woman.”

He stopped just as he stepped foot on the porch. “Lady, from what I can tell, you’re one of the strongest women I’ve ever been lucky enough to meet.”

There were times a man was able to say all the right things, or so he believed. He’d learned them through some crazy playbook that far too many dudes used, acting as if the same one-liners and compliments meant anything to a woman. Maybe men didn’t know that women could see through bullshit a couple of miles away.

They also knew when something was heartfelt, if not difficult for a man to say. Kage was an anomaly amongst men, the kind of guy who took no shit from anyone. He told you like it was, had no issue showing his anger, yet couldn’t handle softness very well. That made the compliment that much more special.

Sure, somewhere in the back of my mind I knew at least a part of me was supposed to be furious, fearful, and doing what I could to keep my emotions in check around the man. But he was so damaged, so jaded that I found myself drawn to him. It wasn’t just about a moth to a flame. More like a drunken group of moths to a firestorm.

At least my crazed imagination was still working. Goody for me.

It became obvious that giving out compliments strained him, or at the very least made him feel awkward. He said nothing else as he returned me inside, gently easing me to my feet. As he walked away, I noticed he was in faded, ripped blue jeans and a bright red plaid flannel shirt. At that moment, especially since his two-day scruff covering his perfectly chiseled jaw appeared closer to a week, he was the epitome of a mountain man.

He only needed the axe positioned over his shoulder to make it work.

There were about a million questions I wanted or needed to ask but I knew I wouldn’t get any answers, at least not right now. He enjoyed falling into his silent brooding mode and I wasn’t certain now was the right time for my injured psyche either.

So I took his lead, remaining just as quiet. I was happy and surprised to find a few bags of canned and dry food on the kitchen table; another bag that I noticed had a few stuffed toys peeking out of it, which Max was currently trying to get to, even whining.

He’d brought an entire huge bag full of Max’s toys, which reminded me I’d gone overboard in purchasing a couple or three dozen for him in a wee amount of time. He’d remembered Max’s bed and his food and even his monthly heartworm, flea, and tick pills. Who was this man? The questions continued to mount as I prepared to give Max his breakfast inside the very nice kitchen. Another shocker. I laughed finally, feeling a little more of the weight disappearing as I grabbed a couple of his toys, tossing them onto the floor.

He easily chomped down on them, his entire backside wiggling.

We both stood watching the pup happily playing as if nothing was wrong. Finally, I grabbed his food bowl, pouring out a hefty amount for the hungry pup and placing it on Max’s placemat next to his already full water bowl. Kage might be a gruff man but he had a softer side I sensed rarely came out.

“Thank you for remembering to get Max’s things,” I allowed myself to say.

“You’re welcome.” Goddamn, the man’s voice could be brooding and sensually husky at the same time. “Bedrooms are upstairs. I picked one out for you, but you can change it with mine if you want.”

“Um. I’m sure it will be fine.”

Another awkward moment of silence settled in. He’d been quiet before, but he’d been someone else altogether, not the dangerous man who’d been forced to hold me hostage to keep me safe. Just thinking about the events almost pushed the same panic buttons all over again. I did what I could to shove the thoughts aside, preferring to look around the kitchen and what I could see outside the doorway.

There were some cobwebs and dust as well as the mildew stench, but I knew when the boards were pulled from the windows, the place would be beautiful. It was awkward being in the same space not talking to the man. But he stood drinking his coffee on one side of the room with me on the other.

I know I opened my mouth a solid five times to ask some stupid question and thought better of it. I nursed my coffee, fighting nerves and frustration with having the attack, fear of the unknown, and just wanting to talk to someone. How strange since I was such a loner.

I was about halfway finished with my first cup when he suddenly poured the rest of his down the drain, still not looking at me as he walked past me toward the door. He also kept a distance between us. Even though he did, the electricity we’d both felt before crackled. I had to suck in my breath to keep from stopping him.

“I’ll meet you outside.”

That was it. A man of action and a few words.

Max peered up at me, a slightly confused look in his eyes. “I don’t know, buddy. I don’t think he’s a happy man.”

Woof.

“Okay, he is around you. But I set him off. I wonder why.” Lamenting wasn’t going to get me any decent answers. Maybe time would.

I rubbed my eyes. They were still stinging from sobbing like a baby. The laugh lingered in the darkest places of my mind but at least the moment I touched Max, I felt lighter. Alive. A survivor.

After placing my coffee cup into the sink beside his, I meandered through the cabin, admiring the stone fireplace and the leather furniture that was in remarkably good shape. With the cathedral-style roof, the kitchen, a half bath, and another room were all that was located downstairs. I held my arms as I headed to the last room on the first floor, gently pushing open the mostly closed door.

As I walked inside, my mouth dropped open. If Kage was telling me the truth and this really was his grandfather’s cabin, then what the fuck was his family into? Nothing about the furniture was office normal by any means, the console a close resemblance to one used by an air traffic controller.

There were at least three computers, five monitors, and some kind of communications system. I dared not touch anything. I did notice a duffel bag on the floor. Kage must have brought it. My curiosity getting the better of me, I glanced over my shoulder before heading toward it, crouching down. I knew I was asking for trouble by snooping but if Kage wasn’t going to offer any real answers, then I would need to find them.

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