Page 9 of The Mountain Man's Girl

“What are you thinking about right now?” The question flies out before I can stop my mouth. I really need to learn to keep quiet.

“Gonna have to plead the fifth.”

My gut tightens, but not with fear. Butterflies rise out from under the fear and begin to flutter their little wings, excited that his cheeks have just turned the shade of the tomato he’s now cutting. It looks like he’s blushing. And he can no longer meet my eyes. I find it hard to believe that a bad man would filter his thoughts. Someone with evil intent would probably describe in detail every dirty thought and intent, just to try to scare me.

“Have you always lived alone?”

I wonder if there’s ever been a woman in his life. He doesn’t have a ring on his finger, so I assume he’s not married, plus there isn’t a single female touch in this place. It’s like a true man-cave. Rugged, manly, but clean and organized. It’s cozy and warm and in no way screams “a murderer lives here.”

“Yes,” he grunts again. He’s not long-winded, that’s for sure. I’m used to Carter talking my ear off. You ask him a question and he gives you every detail you didn’t need or want, but Traeger seems like the type of guy who only speaks when there’s something important to say.

“Have you ever been in love?”

His head snaps up again and those eyes are even darker now. “Do you always ask so many questions?”

“Only when I’m nervous.” Or trying to learn more about my captor. If he’s capable of love, then it means he has a heart inside that ripped chest.

“You don’t have to be nervous. I meant what I said. I’m not gonna hurt you. You’re safe with me. And no…” He shakes his head. “I have never been in love. I thought I was once or twice, but I quickly realized it was just lust disguised as love, and it faded when true colors were revealed.”

I can definitely relate. Over the last twenty-four hours, Carter’s true colors were revealed, and now I can’t even stand the guy. “I thought I loved Carter, but now I don’t even know how I was ever attracted to him. He’s not even my type.”

His eye cocks up along with his lips and it’s the first hint of amusement I’ve seen from him. “You don’t go for man buns?”

I giggle at his remark. Carter really did look ridiculous with the thing.

“I don’t know,” I sigh. “I think I was trying so hard to avoid dating someone like my dad, that I was looking at things through rose-colored glasses. He was nice, and different from all my exes, and he was all in.” At least, up until this hiking trip he was. But then he seemed all into Kelsey. “All of my previous boyfriends were always looking for something better.”

“Don’t know how there’s anyone better than you.”

My eyes snap in his direction at his mumbled comment, and another rush of heat warms my insides when I see the way he’s looking at me. He quickly returns his attention to his task, and now I’m intrigued.

“Brody said I had small tits. Jake told me I was a ditz. And Carter basically said I was a pampered princess with no survival skills.” Those are just a few of the things I’ve been told over thelast few years. I was also told I was frigid in bed, but I don’t need to share that with him.

“Yeah, well don’t listen to them. Your body is perfect. And you proved your intelligence back there with your friends. As far as being a pampered princess, a girl as beautiful as you should be spoiled. You don’t need to know how to survive out in the wilderness; you just need someone by your side who will protect you. That pipsqueak isn’t good enough for a girl like you, so you’re better off.”

And now those butterflies are trying to fly me right off this mountain. Coming from this strong and dominant man, his perspective makes me feel special. I don’t get the feeling he hands out compliments too often, and he just gave me a whole slew of them whether he realizes it or not.

“What about you? Do you ever get lonely up here?”

He stares at the contents inside the big pot, stirring it with a spoon, around and around. I guess he’s not going to answer my question. Maybe it was too personal.

“Nah, I like my space.” His answer is disappointing, which is a ridiculous reaction for me to have toward my kidnapper. “Women bring drama, and drama is something I strive to avoid.”

“Well, I’m sorry for disrupting your morning, I can get out of your hair.” I place my foot on the ground and the pain immediately rushes in. Dammit, I don’t know how I’m going to make my way out of here.

He’s suddenly crouched in front of me, checking my foot. “You aren’t going anywhere. And you aren’t a disruption. Surprisingly, I don’t mind having you in my space. Now, how about some soup and a grilled cheese?”

My stomach rumbles on cue and he smirks. It’s the first near crack of a true smile, and it makes him look even more handsome.

8

Traeger

As soon as she falls asleep, I’m in front of my computer, scouring the police server for a missing person’s report on the girl. Sadly, there isn’t one. But that works in my favor. It means I get to keep her for a few more days. Or maybe even longer.Shit, Traeger. You can’t be thinking like that. You should be driving her back down the mountain first thing in the morning.She’s too fucking young.And yet, when I’m talking to her, it doesn’t feel like there’s a nineteen-year age gap between us. The only part about her that reminds me of our age difference is her ripe little body: so fresh and petite.

Her small tits that sit high and perky on her chest remind me of how they haven’t been weighted down by the gravity of old age and stress. Damn, I bet those little babies are sensitive. I bet I could suck on one of her little nipples and make her entire body tingle with need. The little prick who said they were too smallhas no idea what he’s talking about. They’re perfect. And so is the rest of her.

I bet that little pussy is as tight as can be. Small lips. Puffed-out clit. Fresh pink skin.

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