Page 15 of Tormented Mountain Man

“I wish I could just escape here and never go back,” she said. “But I have a job, friends, a lease. Obligations.”

I got it. I came from the military. Nobody understood fulfilling duties like a soldier. I wanted to say something here that would convince her to forget all that. To give it all up for me. I wanted to fight for her—I just didn’t know what words to say.

I didn’t want her to walk out of my life without her knowing that I was falling for her. But if I told her that and she still walked out, it would hurt even more.

No, I had to do what I could to protect myself. It was exactly why I’d moved to Seduction Summit in the first place. I didn’t want to go through the pain of losing someone again. Not after all the things I saw while deployed. Not after also losing my best buddy in a helicopter accident long after we’d returned from overseas.

“Well, if you ever change your mind, this town is waiting for you,” I said. “We’d love to have you back.”

What the fuck? Was I the welcoming committee? That definitely took the personal out of it. And the worst part of it allwas the slight flicker of hurt I saw in her eyes. Or maybe it was confusion.

She nodded, though, and gave me a half-hearted smile. “I’ll be back. Definitely.”

But her smile got even sadder just before she turned and walked away. I had to force myself not to watch her. It hurt too much. Instead, I focused on celebrating the happy couple as they finished up the reception and hopped in Memphis’s truck to leave.

As soon as they were gone, I turned and headed back into the building. I could not bear to stand by as Joely drove away. I’d go back to my lonely life and try to forget that, for a brief time, I’d had a glimpse of what my future could have been…if only things had been different.

9

JOELY

“Okay, spill it. What the heck is up with you tonight?”

My roommate and I were on our third drink after having dinner at a fancy steakhouse. As I sat at the high-top table in a bar with Rachel, I thought back to when I’d met her soon after moving to the city.

Actually, I’d met her even before I moved. She’d posted on social media that she was looking for a roommate. Yes, that normally would be a recipe for ending up on a missing persons poster, but we had mutual friends, and I was able to get to know her through the videos she’d posted on that social media site.

She was three months younger and had just started a career as a property manager, working for a company that handled suburban rentals. She was single and preferred staying home to going out and partying, just like I did. Dinner and a drink or two were usually all we could handle before heading back home and putting on our PJs.

“What do you mean?” I asked.

“You’ve been weird all night.”

I’d beelined for Nashville after seeing the happy couple off. Hunter disappeared as soon as their taillights were no longervisible. It was for the best, I told myself. Goodbyes were never fun.

“I met a guy,” I said.

There. It was out. I had to be honest with Rachel. She knew my stance on dating—that I was taking a break after realizing most of the men I met around here were only after one thing. But I’d finally met a man who wasn’t, and I’d walked away from him.

I couldn’t help it. I had a life here. I couldn’t just not come back.

Rachel squirmed in her seat, her face lighting up. “Tell me about him. Was he a mountain man? Was he hot like your friend’s husband?”

I couldn’t help but smile at that. Mallorie was married now. It was hard to believe. It seemed like just yesterday we were sleeping over at each other’s houses, painting our nails and talking about who we’d marry someday.

“Yes,” I said. “His name’s Hunter, and he’s about as hot as they come.”

“Did you…?”

My eyes widened. I knew exactly what she was asking, and she’d totally understand if I said I didn’t want to talk about it. But Ididwant to talk about it.

“Yes,” I said. “I’m no longer a virgin.”

“Eek!” Rachel clapped her hands together. “This is so awesome.”

We’d both been virgins…until yesterday. I couldn’t even remember how it had come up in conversation, but I’d been so relieved to find someone like me in the city. I definitely didn’t think that was possible.

“What was it like?” she asked, her eyes flickering with excitement.

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