Page 16 of The Mountain Man's Flame

Just as I’m thinking about her, my phone lights up with a text message from my woman. She’s wearing my ring now and every time I see it on her pretty little finger, I feel another wave of possessiveness. I love knowing that soon she’ll be mine in every way.

This message contains two pictures of her in a dressing room. In the first, she’s dressed in something silky and purple that shows off her incredible tits. In the second, she’s wearing a skimpy black thong with a matching bra and heels.

In the message, she’s asking me which one she should buy.

I fire off a quick text telling her to get both of them. When I look back up, King is chuckling. “Am I keeping you from something more important?”

“When it happens, you’ll understand,” I promise him as I pocket my phone.

He grunts and gestures for me to follow him. He shows me around, discussing the changes he’s made and the ones still to come. This is another thing I like about King. As president of the company, he could have simply handed this job off to his crew. But he’s here on the ground, checking over every detail and making sure the project gets done correctly. Just like he does for so many of his other clients.

After I’m done at the library, I head to the fire station to meet up with Ben. Not only did he help me get Nova out from the rubble, but he’s also covered most of my shifts at the firehouse while I was recovering. I’m grateful for the help and now I’m ready to get back to it.

“Good news,” I tell him as soon as I see him. He’s talking with one of the newest recruits. “I’ve been cleared for duty. No restrictions.”

He says something quietly to the recruit who hurries off.

He nods and there’s a serious look on his face that isn’t normally there. “That’s great to hear. Listen, I have to take some vacation time. My sister needs help.”

“What can I do?” I don’t know much about Ben other than the fact that he and his sister were orphaned when he was young. She stepped up and raised him, practically like a mother.

“Just watch over the new guy for me,” he answers. “I’ve already cleared my time with the chief.”

“Is everything OK?” I don’t like to pry but Ben isn’t normally this serious. Even for all the responsibility he carries, he’s always relaxed and in control. This is different. If I didn’t know better, I’d think he was scared.

He hesitates. “I’m not sure yet.”

“We’ll hold down the fort,” I promise and clap him on the back.

He gives me a nod, still looking distracted. “Appreciate it. Get back on the schedule, and I don’t give a damn what the doctor said. You ease into it, you hear me?”

I agree to do that and watch him go. After I’ve talked with the chief about coming back on rotation, I call Nova. She doesn’t answer so I leave a voice message to let her know I have another errand then I’ll be home.

She’s never asked me to check in with her, but I do anyway. I know what happened with her dad left deep scars, and I do what I can to reassure her that I’m different. That we’re different.

When I’m stopped at a red light, I pull up those images of her in the little lingerie outfits. I groan out loud as I imagine how much fun we’ll be having soon. Tonight, I’m looking forward to loving my woman.

Nova

The soundof Aiden’s truck tires across the gravel driveway makes me smile. I can’t wait to show him all of my newest purchases. I had a lot of fun today with my future sister-in-laws. They’re so nice and it was great to have a girl’s day.

It’s the first time I’ve felt like myself since getting out of the hospital. There were a few complications with the spleen surgery, but I’m finally healed. Just in time to be with my future husband.

I pull on the light blue lace teddy. I start to cover my jiggly thighs, then I remember how much Aiden loves them and well, all of me. So, I stop trying to hide. This man accepts me completely, and it warms me from the inside out.

The front door opens, and I give the love of my life a grin. “I got your voicemail.”

He left me a message, explicitly detailing what we would be doing tonight. It made my panties so wet that I had to take a rinse-off shower before I could dress in my pretty lingerie.

He holds up the bag from my favorite restaurant in town. I bet it’s stocked with all of my favorite foods and that cheesecake dessert that I love. “I brought dinner.”

“How do you feel about reheating it?” I ask, the fire between my thighs only growing more intense. I need this man and I need him right now.

“Pretty damn good,” he leans in and presses a quick kiss to my lips. “You look beautiful tonight.”

“The doctor said your back had healed?” I know he didn’t need surgery but knowing he messed up his back still scares me.

“Yep, all clear to resume activities as normal. Even got on the schedule for work next week,” he says as I follow him into the kitchen.

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