Page 40 of Protected By the Mountain Man

“So…no more of that for a while, okay?” I said. “At least until we get this figured out. Livy needs to be my priority.”

“Agreed,” he said.

I turned to head back into the house, my boots crunching on the gravel. But before I got far, Gabe's hand closed around my wrist, stopping me in my tracks. I swung around to face him, raising an eyebrow in question.

“Kat,” he started, “even if we're not…you know…together-together, I'm not going anywhere. I'll be here for you and Livy, no matter what.”

His eyes searched mine, and I saw the commitment there. What was between us was more than physical—this was all the proof I needed.

“Thank you, Gabe,” I said. “That means a lot, especially now.”

“Good.” He released my wrist, but his fingers brushed against my palm in a silent message that sent a clear signal through the tension still lingering in the air.

We stood there, the barn behind us, our breath visible in the chill, understanding that the lines between enemy and protector, between convenience and something deeper, were blurring. We'd figure out the details later, but right now, the priority was clear—Livy and the ranch.

“Let's go make some chicken soup,” I said, breaking the moment.

“Lead the way,” Gabe replied, and together we walked toward the house—not as a couple, but as…well, something.

SIXTEEN

Gabe

Being in the house alone with Kat was torture.

Livy was having a sleepover at her friend’s place, so the Martin home was quiet. Before, I would’ve gone to my room and kept to myself…but now it felt odd, rude.

I wanted Kat. I wanted her so bad sometimes I felt I couldn’t help myself.

But we were holding off until all this was resolved, and that made me ache somewhere deep.

We’d spent most of the night hanging out in the living room—me watching the game, Kat reading a book in the big armchair to my right. I wanted her in my arms—curled up beside me like the night of the break-in, or…fuck, I wanted her naked. I wanted her straddling me, riding me.

I couldn’t take it.

“I'm gonna grab a burger at the diner,” I announced, standing up. “Want anything?”

“Actually, can I join you?” Kat surprised me with her question.

The whole point was to get away from her, but I couldn’t exactly say no…which is how I ended up driving my truck into town, Kat in the passenger seat wearing a gorgeous yellow sundress.

Fuck…I was well and truly fucked.

The drive was something else. I felt like I was sitting next to a live wire, every inch of me aware of her presence. We didn't talk much—hell, what could I say without letting slip how much I wanted her? How beautiful I thought she was? The silence was thick, punctuated only by the hum of the engine and the occasional rustle when she shifted in her seat.

“Nice night,” I finally managed to choke out, keeping my eyes glued to the road.

“Yep,” she replied softly, her gaze fixed outside the window.

I couldn't help but steal glances, taking in the way the occasional headlights danced over her features. It was maddening.

I was lovesick, and it annoyed the hell out of me.

“Thanks for coming with me,” I said, breaking the silence again. “I just needed to get out of the house.”

“Of course,” Kat answered, turning to offer me a smile that almost distracted me enough to miss the turn.

I gripped the steering wheel tighter, forcing myself to focus on anything but the longing. On the road ahead. On the space between us.

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