Page 4 of Marking Micah

It was partly true.

“I know it is, but don’t worry. I’ve got you, Micah.”

She nodded. “I know you do.”

If only he would really have her.

Get your mind out of the gutter, girl.

Easier said than done when her best friend looked like him. Acted like him. All protector-y and confident and dominant as hell. She’d never met a more self-assured man in her life, and realized that was part of what had always been missing in her past relationships. That utter confidence that just oozed from his pores. A man who knew himself the way Arrow did, who was that secure in who he was, never messed with a woman’s head because he didn’t have to.

Not that she was planning on getting into a relationship—with him, or anyone. She was still too much of an emotional mess to be of much use to anyone. Plus, there were her scars, scars no man was going to want to see.

“We’re here,” Arrow announced as they pulled up in front of an enormous rustic lodge.

He parked their rental car and got out. She’d known him long enough not to even try to open her door herself. He came around, opened it for her, and offered his hand to help her out of the small SUV. She knew better than to resist, but when his hand touched hers that familiar shock of awareness went through her like an electric current. Desire. Longing. A softness to his work-roughened hands that she couldn’t help but imagine running over her body.

“Stop it,” she murmured to herself.

“What was that?” he asked.

“Oh, um, nothing. Just a little nervous.”

“What do you think? How beautiful is this place?”

She looked up at the lodge set against gorgeous mountains and a brilliant blue sky with a few scattered clouds floating across.

“It really is incredible,” she agreed.

“That’s the Sapphire Mountain Range over there. They’re really something, huh? But come on—let’s go in and meet with Master Derek.”

He led her up the steps onto the wide porch that ran the length of the building and held one of the double front doors open for her, following her inside. The lobby had as much rustic charm as the exterior, and she tried to take it all in, but her heart was still thumping away at a hundred miles an hour. It wasn’t that she felt unsafe there, and certainly not with Arrow, but she knew they were here for her to face her demons. Some part of her wanted to get the first steps over with, while another part wanted to go hide somewhere and never come out. If this were anyone but Arrow, she knew she’d never be able to open up and explore those dark, scary corners of her psyche. She was as grateful for the opportunity as she was scared. Almost.

“Come on, sunshine. It’s okay,” he said quietly, his big hand resting lightly at the small of her back.

She looked up at him and nodded, swallowing the lump that had developed in her throat.

He guided her past an enormous stone fireplace to the front desk, where a gorgeous woman with a long mane of purple and turquoise hair smiled at them.

“Welcome back to Rawhide Ranch, Sir. And you must be Micah? Master Derek said to expect you two today. I attendedsome of your classes, Master Arrow. My name is Luna, by the way.”

“Thank you, Luna,” Arrow answered. “I remember you from the last time I was here, too.”

She beamed at him. “Well, everything is ready for you. We’re putting you in a suite with two bedrooms, as requested. You left the keys in the car, right? Moses will take care of your car and bring your luggage to your rooms, as usual. Micah, if there’s anything you need, don’t hesitate to call down to the desk. You’ll find either me or Erika here pretty much any time of day, or one of our other staff members at night.” She turned back to Arrow. “Here’s your key card with the room number on it, Sir. You’re on the first floor, so it’s just down at the end of that hallway,” she said, pointing to her left.

“Thank you, Luna.”

Micah took in a deep breath and walked down the hall with him, only marginally taking in her surroundings as her head buzzed with what was going to happen in this place. Arrow pressed the key card to the lock, then opened the door into a room that was rustic and cozy at the same time, with wood floors and a lofty, beamed ceiling. There was a round table with four chairs, a writing desk, and a sofa upholstered in brown leather sat between two enormous windows looking out to the view of the mountains behind a small lake. Even in her current state, she couldn’t help but admire how crisp and clear the sky was, or how majestic the mountain range. Million dollar views here that didn’t change what she was going to have to deal with—really, finally deal with—one little bit.

As she let out a shaky breath, Arrow came up behind her, standing just close enough that she could feel the heat of his body, could smell the familiar clean scent of citrus and sandalwood.

“Hey. You okay?” he asked.

“I think so?” She turned to face him. “I mean, this place is amazing.”

“But?”

“But… I’m also pretty intimidated by the idea of what I’m going to have to face here. I mean, that’s the whole purpose, right?”

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