Page 9 of Sheltered By the Mountain Man

“I'm sorry. I don't want you to be uncomfortable.” I cover one of her hands with mine. “I'll do it.”

“No. If anyone is going to take your pants off, Mason, it's going to be me!”

Silence falls between us and I'm barely holding my laughter.

She squeezes her eyes closed and covers them with her hands. “Please tell me I didn't just say that out loud.”

I can't help the low chuckle that escapes. “Sorry, sweetheart. You did.”

Her lips twitch and she opens one eye, peeking at me through her fingers.

I gently take one of her wrists and pull her hand away, revealing the sparkle in her eyes. Goddamn she's gorgeous.

Bella laughs and reaches for my belt again. “You're terrible.”

She has no idea. Every second with this woman is making me feral in a way I've never felt before. I'm seconds from dragging her into my arms and kissing the hell out of her, injuries be damned. Only the innocence simmering under the surface of her beauty is holding me back.

Chapter Four

Bella

I'm not going tolook.

I'mnot.

But oh God, it's impossible not to. Mason ishuge. He's everywhere. Even sitting down, he takes up half the couch. His broad shoulders stretch his jacket and the flannel shirt beneath tight across his chest. His thighs are thick and muscled. Even his feet are big.

Okay, I'malsonot thinking about what that might imply about other parts of his body.

He's easily 6'4”—a giant compared to my 5'2”. I felt so small tucked against his side as we hobbled back. Never scared though. His touch is gentle, not threatening. He makes me feel safe.

Ireallyhope he's not just a super nice axe murderer.

Ahot, axe murderer.

I thought the rescue guy, Bishop, was gorgeous. Mason isdelicious. His cropped brown hair is the color of rich coffee, and his eyes are almost as deep, flecked with gold. He has a strong face, rough jaw, and firm lips that look as if they could kiss a woman until she melts beneath him. I press my thighs together as something tugs low and deep.

I've already been under him once and it was memorable enough to want a repeat. That moment he collapsed on top of me? I probably should have panicked, but I didn't. I felt surrounded by him. What would it be like if he weren't unconscious?

“Should we start with something easier?” he asks, hands going to the zipper of his coat.

That teasing smile—like it's reluctantly pulled to his lips—and the heat in his eyes arewreckingme. “S-sure.” I reach forward and ease it off his shoulders as he tugs the zipper free. This close, he smells like cedar and pine—clean and masculine, like the woods are clinging to his skin. I lay the sodden coat on the ground and reach for the top buttons on his blue flannel shirt. Our eyes lock. His gaze is intense as I slip the button free. He works the bottom buttons loose until we meet in the middle, never taking his eyes off me.

Since we met, he's looked at me like he's reallyseeingme.

What does he see? A mousy librarian who doesn't belong in the woods? Mason doesn't make me feel that way. It's not dismissive. For the first time, it's like someone really notices me. I thought it was what I wanted but... it scares me a little.

I slide my hands beneath the flannel, pushing it gently off his shoulders. He's wearing a thin white tank underneath. As I skin the flannel down his arms, I can barely breathe with the intimacy of the moment. He's a stranger and yet this feels more intimate than anything I've ever known.

“Ready?” he murmurs, hands dropping down to his belt.

No. No, I'm not. This isn't about me though. He's injured, and he needs my help. I swallow hard and nod. My fingers tremble as I unbuckle his belt. I pull it free as he slides the zipper down on his jeans. The sound is loud in the quiet of the room.

Mason lifts his hips with a low grunt of pain.

That wince on his face spurs me into motion. I hook my fingers in his waistband and ease the jeans off. Black boxer briefs cling to his strong thighs and—yep, he's huge.

Down girl.

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