Page 102 of Ten Mountain Men

I nod, still breathless. “No, I’m good.” I haven’t even thought about my ankle in hours, as if the touch of my mountain men has made it good as new. Sexual healing, indeed. “I’m great, actually. Just…give me a minute.”

But I have to grip one of each of their arms to keep from stumbling, my head spinning and my heart pounding. I’m overwhelmingly aware of the dampness between my thighs, my body thrumming with arousal.

The sound of hammering outside signals Luke and Ash still working on the roof, a much-needed reminder that we still have so much to get done inside to have the dining table and chairs cleaned off before supper prep can begin.

“Well,” I manage to say. “I think that was a sufficient break. Back to work?”

I try to sound no-nonsense, but my voice is breathy, spilling over with lust. Every cell in my body, every inch of my skin is tingling, alive. We’re really going to need to pick up the pace with the cleaning, because I’m afraid if I don’t get fucked again and soon,that’sgonna be the death of me.

Chapter 32

Nash

Goldie’s still got her hand on my arm, and even though we’ve stopped kissing, I’m still buzzing from it. Hell, my heart’s pounding like I’ve just run up the mountain from the foot to the peak and back.

This is supposed to be fun—just fun. Friendship and sex. No strings, no worries, no feelings. And yet, here I am, standing in the middle of the front bedroom with the taste of her sweet mouth still lingering on mine, feeling…something. Something more than I should be. And we haven’t even gotten to the sex part yet.

I am up shit creek with nary a paddle in sight, I think, as I realize I felt that kiss just as much in my heart as I did in my cock.

I watch her as she tries to steady herself, the fingers of her other hand still gripping Buck’s arm too. She’s holding on tight to both of us as if she just can’t find her footing. I want to pick her right back up and hold her, secure and stable in my arms.

The heat between us hasn’t cooled. But it’s not just desire—it’s something deeper, more dangerous, and I can’t shake it.

Buck catches my eye, flashing me one of those big, dopey grins of his like he knows what’s going through my mind. He doesn’t. He can’t. Because if he did, he’d know I’m teetering on the edge, caught between sticking to Goldie’s wishes and…falling, falling, falling, smashing her damn no-feelings rule to bits when I land. My head knows she’s only here for a couple of weeks, but I don’t think my heart has processed that harsh, cold truth.

“You okay, Nash?” Buck asks, that grin still plastered on his face. Goldie may’ve just gone and put it there permanently.

I give him a sideways look, hoping he can’t see through me. He can’t. “Just appreciating one fine kiss, that’s all.”

I let out a breath, trying to shake loose this knot in my chest.Keep it light, Nash. This is how it’s supposed to be.I promised myself I wouldn’t feel these kinds of feelings. Not for Goldie. Not for anyone. Love ain’t for me. Period. Never has been, never will be. Not with the girls from the village, and definitely not with someone like Goldie Locke.

Still, there’s something about the way she kissed me back, the way she looked at me with those big, bright eyes—like maybe she felt it too. Like maybe she wants more than just this temporary arrangement of sex and friendship.

I’m staring at her, caught up in my own head, when she looks back over her shoulder and gives me a quick smile before turning to Buck. My chest tightens. Yeah, that right there—that’s what’s got me all tied up. I can’t stand how much I want her. Not just in bed, either.

It’s just fun, man, I tell myself. Just have fun. Just enjoy it.

But that kiss didn’t feel like fun. It felt…like everything I’ve been trying to avoid.

I mean, look at Buck. The guy’s head over heels already, and I’d bet every last fish in the river that the others are on their way there too. And now, here I am, realizing I might be next in line.

Hell, Nash, you’re better than this. You don’t fall for women.I remind myself of that like a mantra. Keep it light, keep it simple, keep it fun. That’s the whole point of the arrangement. No heartbreak, no drama.

But standing here now, watching her smile at Buck and feeling my pulse quicken at the thought of her smiling like that at me, I can’t shake the nagging thought that I might already be in too deep to haul myself out of this hole my heart’s digging.

“You’re somethin’, ain’t you?” Buck says, his voice breaking through my thoughts. “You are somethin’ else, Goldie. You’re starin’, Nash. What’s got you so quiet?”

I blink, forcing a laugh. “Just thinkin’ about how much cleanup we’ve still got to do. Don’t want Luke to come back and find us all distracted. He gave me and Lynx pure hell when he caught us kissin’ instead of fishin’.”

I try to grin, but it feels tight.

The easy thing to do would be to push it down. Bury it. Stick to the plan—enjoy her, keep it casual, let things run their course. But my gut tells me it won’t be that simple. That kiss? It wasn’t just a kiss. It was a crack in the damn walls I’d built around myself.

I clench my fists, trying to hold on to the easy, carefree Nash I’ve always been. But deep down, I know the truth. I know I’m not just playing here. This isn’t just fun and games, sex and friendship.

I’m falling for this girl. It’s only been a couple of days. How’s it gonna feel in two weeks?

Buck’s voice cuts through my thoughts. “You sure you’re good, Nash?” he asks again.

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