Page 11 of Claimed By the Mountain Man

“Do you need a ride?” he asked. “I can drop you at yours if you want.”

“Nah, no need. I’m already home.” He looked at me quizzically, cocking his head to the side like a dog would, trying to get my meaning.So fucking adorable!

“You live at the bar?” he asked, incredulity clear in his voice.

I burst out laughing, and it felt really good after the heavy emotions of the night. “No, silly. I live in the apartment above the bar. So, like I said, already home.”

“Well, alright, then. Since we’re technically in your home, that makes you the host for the evening. So, get up and see your guest out. Walk me to the door?”

I rolled my eyes at him, and reluctantly pulled myself from his lap so I could stand. But before I’d even gotten halfway up, Gage had already hopped up off the floor and held his hand out to me to help me up. I took it, of course.What am I, stupid?

“Why, thank you, kind sir. Chivalry is surely not dead as long as Gage Holloway is around.”

He shoved me playfully in the shoulder as we walked to the door. I unlocked it and opened it up for him, expecting him to push right past me and head for his truck. Instead, he lingered close to me and caught my eye.

“Are you okay?” he asked me in a voice so soft with concern, it nearly broke my heart.

I smiled up at him and said, “I’m okay, really. I’m just wiped out. I think I’ll just grab a quick snack, then head to bed. I think my body could use the rest. And I could certainly use the beauty sleep. I can’t be expected to maintain my high standard of gorgeousness with these red-rimmed and puffy eyes, now can I?”

Gage chuckled and to my shock and utter delight, he bent down and kissed the top of my head before muttering, “Get some rest, gorgeous boy.” Then he was gone and headed straight to his truck.

I closed the door behind him and all but floated up to my apartment, transported by the magical power of the top-of-the-head kiss Gage had left me with.Le swoon.

SEVEN

GAGE

It was almost eleven o’clock on Saturday morning, and I was still lazing about in my bed. I should have been up ages ago and been working already. Any other time, I would definitely be out in my workshop well before this time. But today, I just hadn’t been able to get motivated to do it. My mind was fixated on my time with Cooper at the bar.Last night was intense!I’m glad I could be there to help him with his panic attack, and I’m beyond honored and touched that he trusted me with the story of his fallen comrades. I felt like we connected on a much deeper level than I ever intended to, though.I can’t believe I held him in my lap! And I kissed the top of his head for god’s sake. I called him ‘gorgeous boy’! Seriously, what the hell am I doing?

I can’t let myself get closer to this man. I can’t let myself need him. I know I could fall for him so easily. And that simply cannot happen. Cooper is a good man, too good for me. I ruin everything I touch, and I couldn’t handle it if I ruined him. My life is often lonely, yes. And it’s isolated, but it’s safe—for me and anyone unlucky enough to be associated with me. I had to remind myself that I couldn’t afford to fall for Cooper’s charm and his wit and his goodness and his gorgeous face. And thatdimple.Oh, my god! The dimple.It’s the absolute most adorable thing I’ve ever seen. When he smiles and that dimple pops, I just want to melt. And I want to lick it. I really, really, want to lick that damned dimple!

I probably would have still been lying in my bed spiraling out over Cooper had my doorbell not been rung. Repeatedly.Seriously, what is this person’s problem?I pulled up the doorbell camera, and there was Cooper in all his deliciousness practically leaning on my doorbell.Sweet baby Jesus, why does he have to look so damned good? Is he preening for the camera? Little shit knows I’m watching him, and he’s showing off.

I clicked on the microphone feature for the camera app and spoke to him. “I’m all set on girl scout cookies, so you can go.” Instead of getting offended or laughing like I expected him to, Cooper put his face right into the camera with probably the most solemn and serious face I’d ever seen on him and said, “You have girl scout cookies? Do you have thin mints? Please tell me you have thin mints.”

I cracked up. I couldn’t help myself.This man… merciful heavens, how was I meant to resist him?I composed myself (mostly) before I answered him. “I cannot confirm or deny the existence of thin mints in this house. I can tell you that if there were thin mints here, they would definitely be in the freezer and most definitely all mine! I do not share my thin mints.”

He smiled into the camera, that damned adorable dimple in full effect, and seductively whispered, “Please share your thin mints with me, sir. I promise I’ll make it worth your while.”

Fuck me! I bet he could make it worth my while.I’m not usually into d/s play, but something about him calling me sir had my cock perking up.Down, boy!I knew better than to do it, but itseemed the wrong head was in control of my actions as I walked to my front door and opened it wide for the sexy man lounging against my doorframe.

In response to that sinful taunt he’d thrown out on camera, I said, “Worth my while, huh? We’ll see about that.” Like I said, the head that knew this was a very, very bad idea was clearly not running the show right then.

Cooper’s smile turned wicked as he entered my home carrying what looked like a picnic basket. My house is open concept, so you can see all the common areas as soon as you step in. Brash as can be, Cooper proceeded to stroll right by me—winking as he passed—and walked straight into my kitchen and over to my refrigerator. He then opened my freezer and came out with a sleeve of thin mints in his hand. He came back and stopped right in front of me, entirely too close for my comfort.

“Just had to make sure you really had the goods,” he all but purred at me.

“Oh, I have the goods, alright. Don’t you worry about that,” I shot back at him. My voice had gone all husky.Why am I flirting with this man? Abort! Abort!

Then his smile went impossibly wide as he said, “Good, because I’m kidnapping youandyour thin mints. Good thing I brought a cooler so I can keep this manna from the girl scout gods nice and chilled.”

I furrowed my brow in confusion. “Kidnapping me? What the hell are you on about? And give me back my thin mints, you thief! I never actually said I would share them with you, you know.”

“Nope,” he said, popping the p in nope, “I’m confiscating them for our picnic. I’m taking you on a hike to the lookout tower. Best view on the whole mountain! Now, go get dressed and put your hiking boots on. Not that I don’t appreciate this whole low-slung grey sweats moment you’ve got going on, because you are definitely making that work.” His appreciative gaze slowly swept over me from head to toe, lingering just a bit too long in the crotch area.

Oh, holy hell! Did this man just eye fuck me?I cleared my throat, ignoring his grey sweats comment and his obvious perusal of my body. That was not a rabbit hole I could afford to go down right then, not when I was commando under those grey sweats. And if I let myself think too much about his appreciative stare, I was going to have a major problem that my sweats would do absolutely nothing to hide. So, I crossed my arms over my chest and glared at him, though there was no real malice in my glare.

“So, this is how you’re going to make stealing my thin mints worth my while? By taking me on a forced march up the mountain?” This was not at all what I thought he meant by making it worth my while. Although, this is certainly the smarter and safer option.So, why am I feeling so disappointed?

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