Page 5 of Liberated Mountain Man

Cassie shifts beside me, curling her legs beneath her, making her look smaller than ever. The nightdress is doing nothing to hide her, but when I glance at her, she’s smiling softly—almost shyly. The kind of smile that makes my chest ache in ways I can’t explain.

She’s free now. And I’ll do anything to make sure she stays that way.

“I still can’t believe you came for me.”

“I told you I would. I meant it.”

She’s quiet for a moment, then her eyes flick toward me, hesitant. “Where... where are we going?”

I glance at her, feeling my heart kick up a notch. She’s been through so much, and she’s trusted me enough to leave everything behind. She deserves to know.

“Sweetheart Falls,” I say quietly. “Up in the mountains. I have a cabin there. It’s safe. Far away from your dad. We should be there by dawn.”

She blinks, surprised. “A cabin? You’ve been planning this?”

“For a long time.” I pause, gripping the wheel tighter. “I’ve kept an eye on you. For years.”

Her brows furrow, confusion flickering across her face. “Kept an eye on me? What do you mean?”

“I never trusted your father. I’ve lived in a hut in the forest near your house. Bugged your dad’s office and found out the Russians were going to take you to Europe. I couldn’t risk you being taken before I was ready to pull you out.” I say it gruffly, glancing her way. “Your father was never going to keep you safe. Not from what was coming. So, I made sure I was there.”

Her jaw drops slightly. “You were... right there? This whole time?”

“Yes.”

Silence falls between us, heavy with everything unspoken. I can feel her eyes on me, searching, maybe even trying tomake sense of it all. But it’s true. I’ve been close all these years, watching, waiting for the right moment to save her.

“You’re free now,” I mutter, my voice rougher than I mean it to be. “He’ll never touch you again. No one will.”

She’s quiet for a moment, then her lips part as she glances at me, her teeth biting down on that bottom lip in a way that drives me fucking crazy.

“I can paint again.”

That catches me off guard. “Paint?”

She nods, her eyes brightening for the first time since I took her. “I used to love painting. When I was little, I’d sit in the garden for hours. It was the only time I ever felt free.” Her voice wavers, sadness creeping in. “But my dad said it was a waste of time. He took away my supplies.”

My chest tightens at the sadness in her voice. All those years, he took everything from her—her freedom, her happiness. Well, not anymore. She’s mine now, and I’ll give her everything she’s ever wanted.

“You’ll paint again. I’ll get you everything you need—canvas, brushes, paint. Whatever you want.”

Her eyes widen, and she looks at me like I just handed her the world. And maybe I have.

“Really?” she whispers, her voice so small, so hopeful.

“Really,” I say, my voice softer this time. “Anything you want.”

Without warning, she leans over and wraps her arms around me, hugging me tight. Her body presses into mine, innocent and sweet, but fuck if it doesn’t make every nerve in my body light up like a live wire. Her breasts press against my arm,and the thin fabric of her nightdress does nothing to hide the way her nipples strain against it.

My cock twitches, hardening instantly. I bite down on the inside of my cheek to keep from groaning. I’ve seen those nipples before, through the window of her house, when I would check in on her from the woods. I know they’re perfect, little pink pointy buds. They are so hard now. I’d love to suck them, to tease them until she’s writhing beneath me. I brush my finger against one just to feel it and she freezes up.

She pulls back, smiling up at me with those wide, innocent eyes, completely unaware of what she’s doing to me. She bites down on her lip. She likes it.

“Thank you, Jax,” she whispers. “Thank you so much.”

I nod, my throat tight, shifting in my seat, trying to relieve the pressure between my legs. “It’s nothing,” I mutter, but it’s not nothing. It’s everything. She’s everything.

We drive in silence for a while. I’m afraid to say anything. The strain on my face but scare her off.

---