Page 18 of Mountain Boss

Courtney

At five to seven,I open the front door. Again.

After running into, then away from, Mr. Black, I spent the rest of the hour hiding in my tiny bathroom, getting dressed for the day.

I can shower and eat food later.

Stepping out onto the top step, I pull the door shut behind me.

Mr. Black didn’t give me any real direction for today. Just that we start at seven.

So I’m ready. Or as ready as I’ll ever be.

I stuck with my routine of SPF moisturizer and mascara. And since I couldn’t tame my hair with a shower, I stuck with my usual and twisted it into two French braids, one over each shoulder. With that done, I put on my work clothes. Dark green cargo pants that are snug on my ass but fit wide past my thighs. They aren’t attractive, but they don’t need to be. And the pockets are practical. Then I layered a gray long-sleeved shirt tucked into my pants under a cropped olive-green crew neck sweatshirt.

Back home… or rather, out east, I didn’t need the extra layer.

And maybe the cropped shirt isn’t professional, but I’m completely covered, so who cares if it happens to highlight my tummy. It will keep me warm, and I can take it off if I need to.

Plus, if I have to crawl around to fix or clean something, I don’t want a big baggy sweater in the way.

Then again, Mr. Black already made his distaste for me being here known.

I give the bottom of my sweater a little tug.

What if he sees my clothing as a distraction?

Maybe I should change.

A throat clears.

And my pulse jumps.

Chapter 14

Sterling

Those fucking braids.

I want to crowd her right back into her cabin and guide her to her knees with a grip on those goddamn braids.

I clear my throat.

I don’t even mean to.

I just suddenly find it hard to swallow.

Courtney’s eyes snap to meet mine, and even though we’re separated by a dozen yards—me standing on my front deck, her standing on her top step—it feels like I could reach out and touch her.

Grab her.

Drag her against me.

I see the hint of her tongue as she wets her lips…

Pure distraction.

This woman is a pure fucking distraction.

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