Page 9 of Forbidden Mountain Man

I can’t help myself. I reach across the table, taking one of her trembling hands in mine. “That’s okay,” I tell her. I’m not sure what to say or why she lied, but I get the sense there’s something deeper at play here.

“It’s not, but I just…” Fiona trails off, biting her lip nervously. Her foot starts tapping against the linoleum floor and I want nothing more than to scoop her up and cradle her in my arms. She’s clearly anxious, I’m just not sure why yet. “I haven’t left this house since that night at the bar. The thought of being out in the open, exposed to anyone or anything…”

She shivers, every muscle in her body tensing. Fiona squeezes my hand and I squeeze hers right back, letting her know I’m here. It makes sense that she’s hesitant to go out after what she went through. Still, it kills me that this strong, sassy, clever, and gorgeous woman is afraid to step outside.

“I’m right here,” I reassure her.

Fiona nods, then withdraws her hand from mine, turning her head and discretely wiping a few tears away. My heart grows heavy knowing the suffering she’s going through.

I suddenly have a great idea of how to get things back on the right track. Well, right for Fiona and me. Jett… I'll have to dealwith him later. I was stupid to think I could kiss Fiona and not want to keep her for the rest of my life. Jett will understand. He has to.

“How about we go for a picnic after your final?” I offer. “It will be a low-key way to get back out there. An hour, maybe two, then we can come home.”

“A picnic? You and me? I thought…”

“I was stupid and thoughtless last night,” I blurt out. The stricken look on her face lets me know she took that the entirely wrong way. “Not the kiss,” I clarify. “But what I said after. It wasn’t a mistake, Fiona. It was one of the best moments of my life.”

Those green eyes sear through me, searching for a lie or an ulterior motive. She won’t find either.

“Mine, too,” she says softly. “It was, um, my first kiss, actually.”

My heart stops in my chest. Two thoughts clash in my mind, each one fighting for control. The first thought is that I’m so damn lucky she chose me for her first kiss. I want to be all of her firsts. The second thought is that I really, really fucked up, more than I knew in the moment. The memory of her first kiss will be tied to how I treated her after. I hate that for her and vow to make it up. I’ll give her so many kisses she’ll forget all about my stupid comments.

“I’m honored,” I tell her truthfully. “Fiona, I’m so sorry for how I acted. I was conflicted about…”

“My brother,” she finishes for me. I nod and we both sit in silence for a bit, finally acknowledging the elephant in the room. “I mean, is there really anything to tell him?”

"There will be," I say with an intensity that shocks Fiona as well as myself. I exhale and run a hand through my hair. "Not that I want to force you into anything or that we'll even kiss again, I just want you to know… fuck," I mutter, resting my headin my hands. "I just want you to know I can't stop thinking about you and I hope to get to know you more. I want there to be something to tell Jett because then I'll know it's real. It's risky. It's worth fighting for."

I finish my rambling thoughts and peer up at Fiona, unsure of what her reaction is going to be.

“It’s real for me,” she murmurs.

“Me, too, sweetheart.” Fiona’s cheeks turn the prettiest shade of pink at my pet name for her. I make a note to use it more often. “So, is that a yes for our picnic this afternoon?”

My girl can’t contain her smile. It lights up her face, the room, the whole damn universe. It certainly lights me up from the inside out. I want to be right here next to her so I can witness every single one of them.

“It’s a date,” she says.

“Your first date?” I ask. She nods. “Mine, too, actually. We can share this first together.”

Fiona tries hiding her grin by drinking the rest of her coffee, but it doesn’t matter. I can feel the excitement and anticipation radiating off of her. I just hope I can prove to her I’m serious and she’s worth fighting for, though I’m hoping it won’t come to that.

“I’ll make us more coffee and get started on breakfast,” I offer. “I’m sure my mother will be up soon. I assume you know her well enough to know she doesn’t function until her second cup of coffee.” Fiona chuckles and nods. I’m glad she’s had at least one person in town she’s close with.

A few hours later, I’m fielding all kinds of questions from my mom about the picnic, where we’re going, what we’re eating, and when the wedding is.

“Ma,” I say exasperatedly. “You can’t say stuff like that around Fiona, okay? I don’t want to scare her off.”

My mother’s eyebrows lift up to her hairline, which would be hilarious if I weren’t annoyed with her at the moment. “Youdidn’t push back on the wedding itself, just the telling Fiona part. Interesting.”

“No meddling,” I warn her, leveling a look at my mother so she knows how serious I am. “Fiona is fragile right now.”

My mother’s eyes grow soft and she places a hand over her heart. “And I know you’re going to take care of her and protect her, son.” I nod, glad to finally agree on something.

After packing everything up in a basket my mom had tucked away in the hallway closet, I head to my room and change into a nicer pair of jeans and a clean shirt. Right as I’m coming out of my room, Fiona steps out of hers.

“Finished?” I ask, giving her a smile.

---