Page 24 of Sheltered By the Mountain Man

I pull her onto my lap and press my face to her neck, breathing in her spicy rose scent. She trusted me. I could have failed her, yet she trusted me.

Bella holds me tight. “I was so scared he'd hurt you,” she says. “And Nitro! He might be hurt.”

We'll get him. First, I need a few more minutes to reassure myself she's okay. I cup the back of her head and check her over. She has a couple smears of blood and some light bruising,but she's alive and in my arms. “I thought—when I heard Nitro barking and realized you were gone—I thought I was too late.” I press a kiss to her lips. “I couldn't lose you, Bella. I wouldn't survive it.”

Bella wipes the tears from her face with the back of her hand. “You didn't lose me. You won't.”

I kiss her again, desperate to feel her in my arms.

Nitro whines and barks, scratching at the garage door.

“I swear he doesn't want me to kiss you,” I murmur against her lips.

Bella laughs, breathless. “Maybe he just wants in on the cuddles.”

I nip her lower lip. “There are some he's not allowed in on.”

A flush tints her cheeks. “I like the sound of that.”

I help Bella to her feet, then release Nitro from captivity. He zips around us in a few circles, then jumps up to put his paws on her shoulders, nearly bowling her over. She laughs and hugs him. He doesn’t seem to be injured.

In the distance, I hear a snowmobile engine approach.

Ezra pulls up, fully armed. He scans the scene, then steps up and clasps my arm. “I thought you might need backup.”

If I'd needed him, he'd have been ready. “Thanks, brother.”

“You hurt, Bella?” he asks.

She shakes her head and tucks closer to my side. “Nitro is okay too. He tried to warn us.”

Ezra goes down to one knee, ruffling Nitro's fur. “I knew this guy would be okay. He's too smart.”

Nitro eats that up.

Ezra gives me a knowing look. “Get her inside, man.”

“Yeah. She's been out here in the cold too long.”

“I'll get this mess cleaned up and take care of Nitro.”

My heart swells and my throat is thick when I thank him. Then, keeping Bella close, I take her home.

Chapter Ten

Bella

I thought—hoped—that Mason would be on me as soon as we entered the cabin. I need to feel him, skin to skin, and know we're both alive. Together.

Instead, he pulled away and went to the stove. “I'll make you some tea. Why don't you warm up by the fire?”

Tea? Now?

I cross my arms over my chest, feeling the chill settle in my bones. He said he couldn't live without me. Was that just adrenaline talking? It couldn't have been. He's the only one who truly sees me.

Mason's hand shakes as he fills the kettle and sets it on the burner.

The tiny tremor fills me with relief. I know what this is. I saw it in his eyes when he held me in his lap. He's unraveling. Sortingthrough the heavy feelings of fear and dread. Processing them the only way he knows how—with action.

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