Page 17 of Sheltered By the Mountain Man

I shiver, feeling a tug between my thighs.

“You're cold. Come on, sweetheart.”

I'm not. I'm hot all over... for him.

Mason grabs a dark green blanket off a side chair and draws me down onto the couch with him. He spreads the blanket over both of us. “This okay?”

“Yes.” I'm tucked against his side, but it's not enough. Shimmying closer, I lay my head on his arm.

He tenses beneath me.

I freeze. Is this too close? Before I can move away, he slowly lifts his arm and wraps it around my shoulder.

A small sigh of contentment escapes my lips. We snuggle together, staring at the fire. Cozy and warm and pressed up against Mason, my eyes start to droop.

“You should get some sleep,” he whispers against my temple.

“No. I can't kick you—” I yawn. “Out of your bed.”

“I'm fine on the couch.”

“It's not made for sleeping giants.”

He chuckles. “Go on, honey. The bed is yours.”

I don't move for a long moment. I'm too comfortable to get up and barely keeping my eyes open. “What... about... you?”

Mason's lips ghost across my forehead.

As sleep pulls me under, I could swear he murmurs, “I'm yours too.”

Chapter Seven

Mason

I wake, warm andcontent, with the smell of roses all around me. The aches from yesterday are dulled from sleep, and the moment feels nothing short of heavenly. The brush of flannel skims across my chest, followed by the tentative touch of fingers on my skin.

I crack my eyes open against the bright light, only enough to register the fall of silky brown curls and delicate fingers sliding down my bare chest. A plump breast is pressed into my side and one thigh is tucked between my legs.

Bella.

She fell asleep curled up against me last night on the couch. She seemed so comfortable, I hated to move her. We lay like that in front of the fireplace for an hour, before I shifted her into my arms and carried her to bed. My ankle and thigh screamedat me, but after such a harrowing day, she needed rest. A little more pain on my part was worth it if she could sleep more comfortably.

By the time I pulled back the covers and tucked her in, I couldn't take another step. I just stripped off my T-shirt and climbed in behind her.

I haven't slept this well in years.

It's all her. I thought having someone else in my space would be an annoyance. That I was too old and set in my ways to deal with another person's habits. Yeah, it's been less than twenty-four hours, but I already know she's different. She adds peace to this place. Maybe it's her shy, quiet nature. Maybe she's meant to be here.

The only thing I know for certain, is that I'm not ready for her to leave. I can't picture my house without her in it. Or my life. What's going to happen when she goes back to her normal life? And she will. My Bella has plans. She's finishing school and has a job in the works. Thank fuck she'll be here in White Falls. I'll at least be able to see her sometimes.

Bella places a lingering, kiss to my skin. Her palm slides down my chest and over my abs, heading right where I want her and leaving a trail of fire.

Every nerve ending ignites beneath her hand, going straight to my cock. I've already got morning wood. In seconds, she had me aching with desire. I flatten her hand to my stomach right at the edge of my sweats. Yeah, I want to guide her lower. First, I need to know she's with me.

“Sure you want to go there?” I ask against her hair. Shit even her hair smells like a rose garden.

Bella rises onto one elbow. She looks sexy as hell, eyelids heavy, cheeks flushed, and all rumpled. Fuck my last question, I'm not letting her out of bed until I'm done with her.

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