Page 14 of Sheltered By the Mountain Man

She bites her bottom lip, then shrugs and says, “I get to help people learn and teach kids to enjoy reading in the process. Watching their eyes light up when they imagine the adventure in the story… it’s precious.”

So sweet.

This woman wrecks me with every word, every shy glance. From her awkward moments to her brave, caring heart to help a stranger when she needed help. I’ve never met anyone like her.

I lean forward, drawn beyond all my control, and cup the back of her neck, threading my fingers into her soft curls. The skin of her cheek feels like satin beneath my thumb as I slide it along her cheekbone, then down to her mouth to trace her lower lip.

Bella's lips part, her warm breath skating over my thumb.

I lean toward her slowly, powerless to stop myself when I want to taste her more than I want my next breath yet giving her time to pull away.

Bella meets me halfway.

Our lips brush in the lightest of kisses.

It's everything, and it's not enough. I angle her head with my hand, readying her for a real kiss.

Bella's eyes meet mine, then slide closed. I close the distance...

And feel a wet nose on my cheek.

Nitro wines and pushes his way between us. He turns in a circle, then plops his butt down in Bella's lap and stares at me.

Bella laughs and presses her face into Nitro’s fur like she needs a moment to breathe.

“Traitor,” I grumble at him.

Nitro’s tongue hangs out, like he’s smiling at me for ruining the moment.

I settle back against the couch, listening to the howling wind and pouring rain outside. Despite the storm, it’s peaceful—even with another person sharing my cabin.

Somehow, Bella doesn’t take away from the serenity… she adds to it.

I should be unsettled by that, but I’m not.

Chapter Six

Bella

So close.

I press my head to the back of Nitro's neck and reach around to hug him. If he hadn't interrupted, I would be kissing Mason right now. I was so close to my first real kiss. A kiss with someone that matters to me.

Mason does. I know it's only been a few hours. There's something about him that draws me in. That quiet strength. His grumbling at Nitro, calling him a traitor, the hero I sense beneath the surface that he didn't want to talk about.

He’s a good man. I feel it.

Nitro bends down to lick my hand, then puts his head on Mason's leg.

Mason looks out the window to the dusky landscape. “Dinner time, huh, boy?”

Nitro's ears perk up.

“I'll get him. You rest. Just tell me what you feed him.” I shuffle the dog off my lap and stand.

Mason catches my wrist in his large hand. Despite the strength in his body, his touch is gentle. “I'll let you, but first we take care of you.”

“What do you mean?”

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