Page 8 of The Mountain Man's Girl

Yeah, well I need to fucking eat before I bury my head between those little thighs and devour her pussy. I stalk into my kitchen, banging the pans around as I work. I’ve never been so on edge. This young girl is turning me into a madman.

7

Tarryn

Ilook over at the door, wondering if I should make a run for it while he’s distracted, but how far am I really going to get? Four strides of his giant feet and he’ll be able to catch me. And even if I made it out, I’m not sure I could find my way down the mountain. It would be hard enough with two working feet, but I’ve only got one and the other is seriously killing me right now.

I glance back over at the huge man, watching his muscles as he works. One squeeze of his giant palm around my neck and he could choke me out. But…I’m not getting the sense that he would hurt me. He just bandaged me up when he could’ve restrained me and had his wicked way with my body. Even still, I need to play it smart. I can’t get swept up in his good looks and let myself fall prey to my kidnapper.

What I need is to get ahold of a phone and let my dad know where I am. He’ll send a helicopter with a search and rescueteam for me. I at least know the name of the trailhead we started on and which direction we walked. I’m sure they’d be able to find me. I doubt there are any other cabins out in the woods.

“Would you mind if I used your phone? I just want to let my dad know I’m okay. When I don’t return with my friends, he’s going to freak out and send an army for me.”

He stops slicing the bread and my focus goes right to the knife, watching as his grip around it tightens, as his knuckles start to turn white.

“Don’t have a phone. Cell tower doesn’t reach all the way up here. As soon as the storm passes, I’ll take you back to town.”

Storm. What storm? And how does he watch that big TV hanging on his wall if he doesn’t get any reception out here?

“But you have electricity. And cable.” I look toward the flat screen hanging above the mantle.

“Solar panels,” he grunts, looking grumpier than before. I should stop questioning him. I’m only making him mad. I need to get into his good graces so he doesn’t want to hurt me. “And that’s got a satellite.” He points the sharp end of the knife at the screen, and I will not be questioning him again.

“You said a storm was coming?”

How am I going to navigate through the woods in the rain with a banged-up foot? I left my pack behind, which means I have no flashlight or compass to guide my way.

“Yes,” he grunts, looking back down at the loaf of bread. I didn’t see a cloud in the sky but maybe these things roll in fast. I’m sure the weather is extreme up here on the mountain. And had we camped out, we would’ve been stuck in it. But instead, I’m trapped inside this strange man’s cabin, unsure of what his intentions are with me. He could be promising to take me back just so I’ll trust him, but his intentions may not be as noble.

I watch him work, keeping my eyes locked on his every move, making sure he doesn’t slip anything into the food he’s making.He’s like a master chef, dicing vegetables, sautéing onions, flipping things in the pan without using a spatula. I’m not sure what he’s making, but the smells coming from the kitchen are heavenly. Definitely better than the freeze-dried meal I had last night.

“What did you do before you retired?” It looks like he was a chef for a Michelin star restaurant.

He tenses up when I speak, and I think he may prefer to work in silence. Maybe I should remain silent so he doesn’t get annoyed with me.

“I worked for the government,” he grunts.

That should be a good sign. Right? Usually, government workers have background checks and have to be honest, hardworking individuals. Though, my dad would love to argue different. He thinks the government steals too much of his money.

“So, what did you do for the government?”

Again, his eyes narrow in as his shoulders stiffen. I never learn, do I?

“You sure do ask a lot of questions,” he grits through his clenched teeth. “I was an agent for internal intelligence.”

“That’s so cool. Did you get to work on top-secret cases?”

“I did. But it wasn’t cool.” His eyes return to the bread. “There are a lot of bad guys out there. I advise you never to trust anyone. Just because they hold some kind of official title doesn’t mean they’re decent human beings.”

Is that his way of telling me he’s a bad guy?

“Are you a decent person?”

His head snaps up, those dark eyes locking me in their intensity. If it weren’t for the stern line of his lips, I’d be swooning. But beyond his rugged beard, dark eyes, and insane physique, he could be crazy. And I need to remember that. Yet…there’s something in his eyes that makes me believe he’s good.The way he spoke about protecting me, and how furious he was that my friends left me, it just doesn’t seem like he intends on killing me.

“I’m honest. And I’ve never broken the law, but I’m human. My thoughts aren’t always decent. Especially not when I’m staring at a pretty girl.”

A shiver runs down my spine, and I suddenly feel flushed. Kelsey would shake her head if she knew I was attracted to this man and feeling any kind of excitement that he might find me pretty.

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