Page 20 of Accidentally Kidnapping the Mountain Man

Her expression changes, the soft smile disappearing from her face, and my chest tightens uncomfortably. Something is wrong.

It doesn’t matter what it is. I’ll fix it.

I take the bowl of trail mix and set it down in front of her. “Eat, baby. And tell me what’s going on.”

My stomach twists as Kaylee sits up, her eyes flicking away from mine. Her fingers knot together in what I already know is a nervous tell. Reading her has always felt easy and natural, right from the first moment I laid eyes on her. She takes a deep breath, tension radiating through her slender body, and it makes me want to pull her into my arms.

“Things have been tough for me, financially,” she admits, her voice soft. “I didn’t get to go to college because I couldn’t afford it. And I needed to start working. To get out on my own. Away from…everything.” She swallows, and I watch as the delicate column of her throat works. Every single one of my senses is on high alert.

Deep down, I’d always known she didn’t have anyone to look after her. And deep down, I’d always known the person to look after her going forward would be me.

“What about your family? Where are they?” In other words, tell me who I need to punch for making my girl suffer.

Kaylee shakes her head, and her eyes glisten in the firelight. She pops a handful of trail mix into her mouth, chewing and then swallowing. A sad smile tugs at her lips, and that small movement shreds my heart. “My…” She sighs, and I squeeze her hip reassuringly. “My mom left when I was a baby. My dad wasn’t interested in being a single parent, so he passed me off to his sister. I was raised by my aunt, but…it was pretty obvious she didn’t want me either. No one wanted me,” she whispers. “I was always a burden.”

I do pull her into my arms at that, because I now know that it’s my life’s purpose to show her that she’s anything but a burden, and that she is wanted. Very much.

“I’m sorry, Kaylee. You didn’t deserve that. You are so good. So sweet and smart and wonderful, and I’m sorry they couldn’t see that. I’m sorry they treated you badly and made you believe you were a burden. They should be ashamed of themselves.” I brush a soft kiss against her lips, and a tear slips down her cheek. “You arenota burden. You are a gift. One I plan to cherish and care for until my last breath leaves my lips.”

She pulls back slightly, an adorably goofy smile on her face. “You are so dramatic, Logan,” she teases, poking at my chest. But she’s smiling, so it’s a win as far as I’m concerned.

I stretch out my arm so she can lay her head on my bicep. “This is my new favorite pillow,” she jokes.

“Good,” I rumble out. “Because it’s yours, along with everything else I have.”

She sucks in a shaky breath and we’re quiet for a moment. I take the opportunity to unwrap a granola bar and hold for her to nibble on. “I’ve never been in love before,” she eventually says softly. “I don’t know what it feels like. And I don’t think I’ve ever been loved before, so I’m…this is all really new for me.” She smiles shyly at me. “But here’s what I do know. I’ve wanted to be yours from the day we met. I’ve touched myself, wishing it was you. You make me feel safe in a way I’ve never experienced before. Being around you feels like…like home. I love the way you kiss me, and the dirty words you say to me. I love the way your whole face lights up when you laugh. I love how big and strong you are, and the bits of gray in your hair. I love that I can just be me, and that’s enough. I want to be with you all the time, and I want to know everything about you. Like I’m hungry for details about you. I love that you love me, without even trying.” She blinks up at me, and I think my heart might explode. “Is that being in love?”

I tighten my arms around her. “Yeah, Kaylee. Sure sounds like it to me.”

Our eyes meet in the flickering firelight, and the moment stretches on for several sweet heartbeats.

“Then I think…I think I love you, Logan.”

My entire body reacts all at once to her words. My heart slams against my ribs, my stomach pitches with excitement, my balls throb and my brain starts spinning with questions.

She brushes her lips against mine. “You want to give me so much, and I want to give you what I have, too. My love and devotion. My trust and my time.” She kisses me again. “And my body. My virginity. That’s yours, too.”

I close my eyes and pull in a deep breath. She’s so innocent when it comes to sex. So inexperienced. I’m sick for the way that makes my balls throb with more intensity.

“I’m in no rush, Kaylee. We don’t have to do anything more than kiss and talk. We can go as slow as you need.”

She shakes her head. “I don’t want to go slow. I…” She bites her lip. “I ache, Logan. I need you to take care of me, to take the ache away. I want you to make me yours.”

I groan and kiss her, sliding my tongue against hers. “I will, baby. If that’s what you want, I will. But first, I need you to eat. You’re hungry.”

We disentangle and start to eat while she peppers me with questions about my life. We talk about music and movies, favorite foods, loving the mountains, our jobs. I learn that she loves pop music and comedies, fettuccine alfredo, hiking, and reading. I learn that she went into real estate because it seemed like a decent career for someone without a university education. I learn that she’s been on her own for far too long without anyone to rely on.

I tell her about my company and my divorce almost fifteen years ago.

“You got divorced when I was in grade one,” she says with a cheeky smile that makes me groan.

“You’re making me feel like a dirty old man.”

“Don’t,” she says with a warm smile. “I think it’s hot. I’ve always been more attracted to older men.”

“Yeah?”

She nods. “And to you, Logan Armstrong, most of all. I think you’re absolutely gorgeous.” Her smile falters slightly. “Was the divorce hard on Hailey? She would’ve been pretty young.”

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