Page 53 of Claimed By 3 Mountain Men

She shakes her head, a small, sad smile tugging at the corner of her mouth. "You didn't take advantage of me. I wanted it. I wanted... you.Bothof you."

Her words hang in the air between us, heavy with meaning. I feel a rush of heat, and desire, but I push it back, and choke it down, focusing on the road ahead.

"Still it wasn't right. Kicking you out after... after everything."

She sighs, and turns back to the window. "It's okay, Hank. I understand.”

“This thing between us, whatever it is, it shouldn’t have happened. It's complicated.”

She scoffs. "Complicated. Right. Well, let me uncomplicate it for you Hank. I'm a big girl. I knew what I was getting into with you and Ben, and I’m not suffering from any morning after regrets."

Her words sting, even though I know she's right. I have no claim on her, no right to feel possessive or jealous.

“I’ve just… I’ve got a lot on my mind, and I took it out on you for some kind of relief. That wasn’t right.”

She nods, her gaze dropping to her hands, folded on her lap. “That’s it then? I was a relief?”

“That’s not what?—”

“I know this isn’t easy for any of us. I didn’t come here to make things harder. I’m just trying to do what I think is right.”

“I get that,” I say, my voice softer now, the edge gone. “It’s just… this place, our family—it means everything to me. To all of us. And with everything that’s happened… it feels like it’s slipping away, like we’re losing control.”

She looks at me then, really looks at me, and there’s something in her eyes that makes me feel like she sees right through the walls I’ve built. “You don’t have to do it all on your own, Hank. You and your brothers—you’re stronger together. But you’ve got to let people in.”

We pull into town, the truck slows to a stop outside the small inn where I plan to drop her off.

I park the truck and grab her massive backpack, tossing it over my shoulder.

This thing has got to weigh more than she does. I can’t believe she trekked through the woods with it.

The sign above the door swings gently in the breeze, and the smell of fresh coffee drifts through the open window.

The soft hum of the air conditioning and the gentle clink of keys behind the front desk are the only sounds as we step inside.

We approach the front desk, where a young clerk with a bright smile and a name tag that reads ‘Jessica’ greets us. She looks up from her computer, her eyes lighting up as she sees us. “Good morning! How can I help you two today?”

I clear my throat, trying to shake off the awkwardness that always seems to settle around me whenever Mac and I are in close quarters. “I’d like to book a room,” I say, pulling out my wallet. “For her,” I add, nodding toward Mac.

The clerk’s smile widens, a touch of mischief in her eyes. “Oh, of course! I’ll just need to see your ID and credit card.”

I hand her my card, and she takes it with a nod, her fingers moving swiftly across the keyboard. As she types, she glances up at us, her smile softening into something almost…fond. “Are you two here for your honeymoon?” she asks, her tone sweet, as if she’s anticipating our answer.

“Honeymoon?” I repeat, my voice rising an octave as I glance at Mac, who looks just as taken aback as I am by the question.

Mac narrows her eyes, shaking her head vehemently. “No, no. We’re not?—”

“We’re not married,” I cut in, my tone sharper than I had intended. I look back at the clerk, who’s blinking at us in confusion. “We’re not even dating,” I add, feeling my face heat up as the words come out.

“Oh,” the clerk says, clearly taken aback. She looks between us, her smile faltering a bit as she realizes her mistake.

With that recovery, she’s probably thinking a hell of a lot worse. If she ever figures out who I am, the town will start talking about Hank Truitt’s hooker or affair.

“I’m so sorry! It’s just—you two looked so… comfortable together, I just assumed?—”

“Well, we’re not,” Mac says coldly, crossing her arms over her chest, her tone defensive. “And it’s not like that, okay?”

Jessica, shoots us an apologetic smile, but there’s still a hint of amusement in her eyes. “Of course, my mistake. Let me just get your room setup.” She clicks away at her keyboard, clearly trying to avoid any further awkwardness, but the silence between the three of us is heavy.

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