Page 205 of Mountain Boss

Taking another bite, I try to look at Sterling’s hands out of the corner of my eye.

His left hand is down on his thigh, inches away from my own, with a corner of paper showing from beneath his palm.

The few dark lines of broken skin look painful, but it’s nothing compared to his right hand.

Every knuckle on that hand is split. Wide cuts that look like they need bandages span his middle two knuckles, and the top of his hand is covered with discoloring that will surely darken into bruises.

Sterling was in a fight.

He had to have been in a fight.

But when?

He didn’t have those marks last night. And this morning…

I was too sleepy, and then ravaged, to even notice his hands.

But it’s not like he could’ve been in a fight since leaving my bed a few hours ago.

I lift my eyes and take in his profile.

There are no signs of bruises on his face. No signs of injury anywhere other than his hands.

As I’m staring at his unharmed jawline, Sterling turns to look at me.

He holds my gaze for a beat, then tips his head to my plate. “Eat your lunch.”

Chapter 152

Sterling

I feellike an asshole as I stand from the table, not saying anything to Courtney.

But what can I say?

Thank you for making me the best birthday cake ever?

Thank you for being so fucking sweet while also not making a big deal of it?

Thank you for being alive and unharmed and the best thing that’s possibly ever happened to me?

I carry my plates over to the dishwasher and wonder how I can take some of that cake back home with me.

I stare at my knuckles as I set my plates in the rack.

How could I have forgotten about my hands?

I left Courtney’s cabin while it was still dark, so even though I started my day with my hands all over her delectable body, she didn’t get a chance to see the damage.

Though it’s hardly as bad as it looks. Just a handful of cuts.

I don’t get in fights. It’s probably been fifteen years since I’ve taken a swing at anyone. But I’ve never walked away from one with so little to show for it.

I’ve also never beaten a man quiteso badly.

As I stand from the dishwasher, I put a hand on the counter, then twist, just a bit, side to side, to stretch out my back.

Okay, so maybe I have more aches and pains than just my hands. But that’s from exerting myself in ways I usually don’t.

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