Page 15 of Forbidden Mountain Man

“You okay, Fiona?” I whisper after a few moments of silence.

“I’m…” She sighs, her breath tickling my beard. “I’m incredible.”

"I couldn't agree more," I smile, tucking her sweat-slicked hair behind her ear so I can kiss her forehead.

We stay like that for a while, until I feel her start to shiver from the slight chill in the air. I slip out of bed and wet down a washcloth before coming back and kneeling in front of the half-asleep kitten all curled up on the mattress.

“What are you doing?” she slurs, her eyes still closed.

"I'm showing you how I'll take care of you," I murmur, as I gently wipe between her legs. The sight of her blood mixed with our releases should make me feel like an asshole for fucking her so hard, but I can't bring myself to regret anything about what we just shared. It was perfect. One look at my sleepy, satisfied woman, and I know she thinks so, too.

After that’s taken care of, I crawl in bed behind Fiona and pull the blankets over us. Wrapping my arms around her, I pull her closer, and curl around her body, wanting to cover as much of her body with mine as possible.

She snuggles deeper into my embrace and relaxes completely, letting go of every single thing. I can feel her doubts float away until there’s just us.

8

FIONA

“Imiss your face,” Destiny, my roommate says over the phone.

“I miss yours more,” I tell her as I flop down on the guest bed I’ve been sleeping in all week. I just got done with my last assignment, which means I’m completely done with college. Thank the stars above.

“You’re all done with exams and everything, right?”

“Yup,” I confirm. “I have a few days to chill before going back to work. I took some time off to prep for finals but I’ll be back behind the register of Sally’s Unique Antiques soon. When are you coming back?”

Destiny lets out a breath and I can tell she also just plopped down on her bed or couch or wherever she’s staying. My poor friend lost her grandma, the woman who raised her, a few weeks ago. She’s been dealing with legal stuff and wills and all sorts of things that seem far too complicated and adult-y to think about.

“I don’t know,” she says disparagingly. “I was thinking… No, never mind. It’s dumb.”

“Destiny,” I say softly, wanting to console my friend and roommate. She’s always been shy. It took her weeks to talk to me or anyone when she first moved to town and joined my class inschool. We were in fourth grade. By the end of the year, we were besties. “Whatever you’re thinking or feeling isn’t dumb,” I tell her.

“Well… You know how my grandma always wanted me to go out and experience new things?”

“Mmhm,” I say, waiting for her to continue. Silence stretches between us, but she finally finishes her thought.

“Is it stupid if I want to go to a ski resort? I mean, it’s not exactly a harrowing adventure, but it’s a start. I just… I don’t know. I want to do something to honor her life. I want her to be proud of me.”

“Your grandma loved you more than life itself,” I remind my friend. “She was always proud of you.”

My phone beeps, alerting me to an incoming call. I pull the phone away from my ear for a second to check the screen.Jett. He’s called me several times over the last few days, but I haven’t answered. I don’t know what to say and he’llknowif I’m lying. He’s always had a crazy radar for bullshit, especially mine.

“You there?” Destiny asks.

“Yeah,” I say as I ignore yet another call from Jett. “Sorry. I think skiing is a great idea,” I tell her truthfully. “I can help you find someplace affordable that has nice instructors. Think of how amazing it’s going to feel to say you skied down a mountain!”

"I haven't done anything yet," Destiny says. "I'm still not sure. I should have all the legal things wrapped up by the end of the week. Sorry, it took longer than I thought."

“Don’t apologize,” I tell my friend. “You’re going through something so difficult right now. The last thing you need to worry about is me.”

My stomach twists when I think of what I’m keeping from her. She doesn’t know about the incident at the bar or that I’vebeen staying with Samantha and Forest. I don’t want to burden her with all of that while she’s still grieving her closest relative.

“I really do miss you,” Destiny says. “Oh shoot, the lawyer is calling. I’ll text you later, okay?”

“Sounds good.” We say our goodbyes and I stand from the bed, slipping my phone into my pocket.

I walk out to the living room, where Forest and Samantha are hanging out. Some cheesy Hallmark movie is playing in the background while they chat back and forth. I love that Forest is close with his mom. I’ve always liked Samantha, and seeing how Forest takes care of her gives me confidence he’ll handle me with care as well.

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