Page 154 of Mountain Boss

“What was that?” Fisher asks from beside me.

I didn’t say anything, but I must’ve made a noise thinking about my Courtney and her… skills.

“Nothing. Hand me that.” I point to a plastic container.

Fisher doesn’t press for more as we put away the rest of the dinner stuff.

Out here, everything needs to be secured and brought inside. Bears will mostly leave people alone, but it’s best not to entice them with fishy oil or sugar.

Sugar.

I smile at the paper bag on the table.

When Courtney showed up with that extra bag of groceries, I didn’t think much of it. Probably because I was still thinking about her legs wrapped around my waist and my tongue in her mouth.

But when I pulled the items out, I had to stop myself from stomping down to the shoreline and fucking her right then and there.

Because she brought cookies. Several different kinds, a container of each. Along with muffins and pastries.For breakfastshe said, when I raised my brow at her.

The crunch of boots draws my attention.

“Need any help?” Courtney asks as she stops across the table from me.

I shake my head. “We’re wrapped up.”

“Oh, well, I can help bring it inside.” Her hands are hidden inside the long sleeves of my coat, but I can see her fidgeting, and I wonder if she’s doing that thing she does where she digs her damn thumbnail into the pad of her finger.

I should buy her gloves so she doesn’t hurt herself doing that.

“Go get ready for bed.” There are four posts holding the roof of the gazebo up, and each post has a lantern hanging from a hook, fighting off the darkness that has settled over the mountain. I nod toward one of the posts. “Take a lantern with you. There’s a hook on the back of the outhouse door to hang it on.”

Courtney bites her lip as she takes the closest lantern down.

Fisher is still standing here with us, so I can’t demand she put her eyes on me. But I’m also not going to ignore the obvious signs of nervousness she’s displaying.

“What’s wrong, Court?”

Her eyes dart up to mine. “Nothing. I just…” She glances over at Fisher. “I brought my overnight bag like you said. But I didn’t bring any blankets or anything.” Her shoulders lift, then drop. “I wasn’t thinking.”

“I didn’t tell you to bring any because I have extra in my truck,” I tell her.

Her mouth forms a silentO.

“Go put your pajamas on. You can help me make up your bunk when you’re done.”

She bites her lip as she nods, then carries the lantern back to the cabin to get her backpack.

“Handy you have extra bedding packed.” Fisher says it casually, but I hear the suspicion.

“It pays to be prepared.” It’s a douchey, condescending answer. But it’s not a lie.

“Uh-huh.” He picks up an armful of items. “Still don’t know how the oil ended up in the Food Hall,” he grumbles as he walks away.

I almost snort but clear my throat instead and pick up the rest of the food.

It’s not like I yelled at him forforgettingthe oil, so I don’t know why he can’t just let it go.

I cross paths with Courtney as she cuts back across the clearing toward the outhouse.

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