Page 33 of Accidentally Kidnapping the Mountain Man

“Just a couple of days. I have to go back on Sunday.”

“I’d really love to hang out before you leave. Maybe we can have lunch tomorrow?”

She hesitates briefly, but then smiles. “Okay. Sure.”

Just then, Logan appears in the doorway, leaning against the frame. “All good in here?”

Hailey nods and then stands. “All good. She and I are going to have lunch tomorrow.”

Logan smiles, lines fanning out around his eyes. “That’s great.”

“I’ll leave you two to talk,” she says, and Logan steps aside to let her pass.

“There’s leftover Chinese on the kitchen island, help yourself,” he calls as she heads down the stairs. He crosses the room, his eyes locked on me, then sits beside me on the bed and cups my cheek. “You okay?”

I nod, leaning into his touch. “Yeah. We had a good talk. She’s shocked, but I think she’s trying. I’m trying, too.”

His thumb brushes gently across my cheekbone. “Good. She’s important to me. And so are you, Kaylee.”

My heart is like a hummingbird in my chest as I voice the question I need to ask. “Logan…are you sure about this? About us? I don’t want to cause problems between you and Hailey.”

He turns to face me fully, his other hand coming up to frame my face. “I’m sure, Kaylee. I love you. I want you. I want us. Hailey will be okay. I promise.”

I smile, my eyes stinging and my chest expanding with the size of my heart. “I want us, too,” I whisper. “More than I’ve ever wanted anything, I want us.”

Logan’s eyes are soft and warm, and he leans in, pressing his forehead to mine. “Then you have your answer.” Then he leans in, brushing a soft, gentle kiss across my lips. “I mean every single word I’ve said to you, Kaylee. Every. Single. Word. And I’m not a man who runs at the first sign of a storm. Whatever happens, we’ll weather it together.” He kisses me again, and it feels like a promise.

When he pulls back, he leaves his hands on my face, this thumbs tracing my cheeks. “I love you, Kaylee Murphy. You’re the prettiest girl, the sweetest lover, and without a doubt the funniest, cutest, most endearing kidnapper I’ve ever met.”

My heart swells to the point where I’m amazed I can breathe. “I love you, too, Logan. My sexy protector, my loving caretaker, my Daddy. My perfect, amazing hostage.”

He laughs and kisses me. “I have to say, I love the sight of you on my bed.”

A little thrill courses through me. I’m on Logan’s bed. I suddenly want to smell his pillow.

“Tonight, I’m going to have you naked in this bed, Kaylee. Naked and moaning my name as I make you come over and over again.” He kisses me, and I wish we were alone right now so I could maul him. “Fuck, baby. I want inside you again so bad.” We start kissing again, and heat pools between my thighs.

“Are you coming to eat? The food’s going to get cold if you don’t stop making out!” calls Hailey up the stairs and we break apart, laughing.

“Welcome to the family,” he whispers, then kisses my forehead and helps me up off the bed.

And for the first time in my life, that’s what I feel like I’ve found with Logan. Not just love, but a place to belong. A place to call home.

A family.

Twelve

Kaylee

Three months later

I lean back and stare up at the stars as hot water bubbles around me, soothing my sore, tired muscles. Now that spring’s here, Logan and I have been getting out more, and we spent the morning at a local farmer’s market and then the afternoon hiking one of our favorite trails. We picked up take out on the way home and now we’re enjoying a soak in the hot tub after a long, busy day.

The sky is clear and endless, stars dotting the velvety blue black sky. Logan’s thumb smooths up the arch of my foot from across the tub, and I giggle, squirming slightly. I glance at him across the rising steam and take a sip of my champagne.

“What are you thinking about over there?” he asks, massaging my calf.

“Just how wonderful my life is, that’s all,” I say, grinning at him.

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