Page 13 of Accidentally Kidnapping the Mountain Man

“So,” I say, sitting down on the couch. Logan sits down on the opposite end, watching me intently. “Have you thought about which house you’re going to buy?”

“Mmm.” It’s a completely non-committal sound. I watch his mouth as he purses his lips, blowing steam away from the rim of his mug. What would it feel like if he did that over my nipple? My clit? I shift subtly in my seat, trying to ignore the throb between my thighs. “Let’s rewind a bit, first. John said he’s going to fire you if you don’t get me to buy a house?”

I roll my lips inward and nod. “Yes. Multiple times.”

He frowns. “I see.” He sets his tea down and rubs a hand over his face. “This is my fault.”

“How is this your fault? I’m the one who failed to find you the right house. I’m the one who threw your keys into the snow.”

He sighs. “Does John always give you a hard time?”

I’m careful, because I’m pretty sure John’s his friend. “Um, well. He just has high expectations, and…” I lick my lips. “He’s been threatening to fire me for a few days now, and he just…”

“Just what?”

“I don’t think he likes me very much. He was…upset when you insisted on hiring me as your realtor.”

Logan shakes his head. “I’ll take care of John, Kaylee. It’s the least I can do.”

“The least you can do is buy one of the houses I’ve shown you.” I sip my tea, wrapping my fingers around the mug forwarmth. Outside, flakes pelt the windows as the wind blows them sideways.

“Mmm.” That sound is both infuriating and intoxicating. He sighs, his big shoulders rising and falling. “Kaylee, I have a confession to make. And I really hope you don’t hate me for it, because it’s my fault you’ve had John breathing down your neck. This, all of it, is my fault.” He picks up his tea and takes another sip.

I frown, shaking my head. “So you’ve said, but I don’t understand.”

A muscle in Logan’s jaw jumps as he sets his mug down, then scrubs a hand over his mouth. He takes a breath, and then meets my eyes. “I rejected every house you showed me not because there was something wrong with it, but because I wanted to keep looking at houses with you.”

I stare at him, confusion and anger rooting me to the spot. “What do you mean? Why would you do that? You’ve been wasting my time on purpose? Why?” My anger spikes and I push to my feet, pacing in front of the couch. “Do you have any idea how much stress I’ve been under because of you? How many sleepless nights I’ve had, thinking I was going to lose my job? You pushed me to commit a felony, for crying out loud!” I’m full on shouting now, and I don’t care. My vision is red-tinged at the edges, and something wild and raw is clawing at my chest.

He stands, too, towering over me, but not in an intimidating way. “Kaylee, I—“

But I’m too angry, and I cut him off. “You what? Decided it would be funny to mess with my job, my life? I could end up homeless because of you!” I’m shaking now, tears pricking at my eyes as I clench my hands into fists at my sides.

I am not okay. Clearly.

He reaches out, his hands landing on my shoulders, and I hate the way his touch makes me soften instantly. I hate thepower he has over me. I hate the way my body responds to him, even when I’m furious. “Kaylee, I’m sorry.”

“Fuck your sorry!” I yell, slamming my hands into his chest and pushing hard. Of course, he doesn’t budge, as immovable as the mountains surrounding us. “Get out!” I try again, pushing with all of my might. “Get out, get out, get out!” He doesn’t move. I’d probably have more luck dragging the refrigerator outside by myself than getting Logan Armstrong to move.

A small smile tugs at the corner of his gorgeous mouth, and god, that only makes me angrier. “You kidnapped me, remember? I can’t leave. That’s sort of the basis for how this works. Kidnapper,” he says, pointing at me. “Hostage.” He points at himself.

I let out a completely undignified shriek and shove against his chest again. “Then…no talking! No more talking! Because everything you say—“

This time, he cuts me off. “Don’t you want to know why I did it? Why I rejected all those houses? Why I wanted to spend time with you?”

I glare at him. “Fine. I’ll bite. Why?”

He closes the distance between us and slowly slides his arms around me. Heat that has nothing to do with my anger flares to life inside me. Damn him.

“Because I’m in love with you, Kaylee.”

Six

Logan

I said it. I told her I’m in love with her.

And she’s looking at me like I’m speaking Japanese.

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