Page 211 of Mountain Boss

I lift my foot to the first step.

And I fall.

Jolting myself into wakefulness.

Chapter 156

Sterling

Courtney’s bodyjerks in my arms with a gasp, startling me awake.

Then she shudders.

I’m the big spoon to her little spoon, and when she shudders again, I tighten my grip on her. “Easy, Honey.”

Her head moves on the pillow. “Sterling?”

I press my nose against her hair.

I’m about to say something along the lines ofbetter not be any other men climbing into your bed,but before I can get it out, I hear her sniffle.

“Courtney?” I lift my head, trying to see her face, even though it’s dark.

“I’m okay.” She sniffs again. “It was just a dream.”

Fucking hell. She’s crying.

“Well, I’m not okay. You shaved a year off my life, scaring me awake like that.” I loosen my grip on her. “Now come here and console me.”

She wiggles. “I am here.”

There’s another sniff.

“Not here enough. I need your front.” I grip her shoulders and start to shift her.

She grumbles but turns until she’s facing me.

I wrap my arms back around her, pulling her close.

Courtney inhales, like she might say something, but I press my palm to the back of her head, pulling her face into my chest. “Shh, go back to sleep. I got you.”

Chapter 157

Courtney

I squeeze my eyes shut.

It was just a dream.

A mashup of subconscious thoughts.

Nonsense.

It shouldn’t make me cry.

But waking up tohim.Here.

Telling me he has me…

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