Page 85 of Mountain Boss

I shift my arm, pressing my shoulder against hers.

Courtney doesn’t move away.

A second passes, and the pressure between us increases as she leans into me.

Something hot slithers down my rib cage.

It’s lust. But it’s something else too.

Being leaned on.

Being depended on.

Being trusted.

I reach out with my opposite arm, the one not touching Courtney, and pick up my water.

My throat feels uncomfortably tight.

I take a large gulp.

Then another.

It’s been so long since I’ve felt…

I set down my glass.

I don’t even know what this is.

Purposefeels like too big of a word.

Lifting my sandwich, I pretend to naturally adjust my leg, pulling it away from Courtney just the smallest bit.

The clothing between us feels instantly cold without her touching me anymore.

But then she does it.

She follows me.

Spreading her thighs to keep the contact.

And that feeling inside me expands.

Whoever this girl is, she was sent to me.

Through the universe.

Through a twist of fate.

Through a fuckup of Marty.

I don’t care if the Devil herself sent Courtney to my Lodge.

I’ll take whatever punishment comes to me over what happens next.

I grab my napkin with the hand closest to Courtney and wipe it across my mouth.

Then, like a man with class, I lower the napkin to my lap rather than putting it back on the table.

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