Page 6 of Lonely in Misty Mountain

My eyes slowly opened,and I looked around, my senses out of whack. The room was dark, and my body was warm, like I had too many blankets on. I blinked some more and looked to my right, Junie lying on top of my feet on the couch. It hit me right then.

I was still at Kaiden’s house. With I gasp, I sat up straight as white-hot panic ran through my veins.

What time was it? Why was I still here?

On the other side of me was Kaiden, his body slumped to the side against the arm rest of the couch. His arm was still wrapped around my shoulders and when I tried to move it, he stirred, growled, and held on tighter.

Shit! We must’ve fallen asleep!

“Kaiden. Kaiden, wake up. We must’ve fallen asleep!” I shook him gently, his eyes peeking open.

“It must be late.” I looked out the window, the snow piling up outside as more continued to fall. “Wake up, Kaiden.”

“I’m up, I’m up.” He ran a hand over his face and stretched before glancing at his watch. “Damn it, it’s almost five am. Why don’t we just wait out the storm some more? It’s almost morning.”

“Are you sure you’re not needed out there?”

“Nah, it’ll be fine. I’ll jump in tomorrow. You can have my bed upstairs. I’ll sleep on the couch.”

“That’s crazy, it’s your house. I’ll take the couch.”

“I’m not letting my guest have the couch. Especially not you, who at this point, I wouldn’t even consider a guest.”

“Then what am I?” The question popped out of my mouth before I could stop it.

“Oh, sweetheart, you are so much more.”

Despite the heavy fog of sleep, a fire lit my insides, burning my veins, my blood like molten lava. Words escaped me as he led me upstairs to his bed.

“If you’re not comfortable under the covers, I’ll grab you a few blankets so you can sleep on top of my comforter.”

I placed my hand on his arm, his hot skin scalding my fingers. “This is perfect, thank you.”

He looked down at where I touched him, a small breath releasing from between his lips. When his eyes met mine, now dark and slitted, I could only imagine what might be going through his head.

Did he feel it too?

“You’re making it very hard for me not to kiss you right now.”

“Then what’s stopping you?” My words bold and brazen.

Without hesitation, Kaiden grabbed both sides of my face and dipped his head low. He brought his mouth close to mine and his lips brushed against mine every so lightly, before he went all in.

Slow at first, exploring, seeking, asking permission, until I couldn’t take it anymore and I deepened the kiss, sliding my tongue inside to twirl with his.

Nipping, tasting, teasing each other as our kiss heightened. I met him back with intensity, wanting to taste more and more of him.

When we finally broke apart minutes later, out of breath and dizzy, my hand flew up to my lips, them now swollen and most likely, bruised. Yet I didn’t care. I loved every second of it.

“I’ll wake you in a few hours. Get some rest, beautiful.” Kaiden said before kissing me once more.

I stood frozen next to the bed, my heart beating wildly in my chest.

All of it felt like a dream and when I climbed into his bed, slid under his warm comforter, the scent of him filled my nose, and I pinched my arm. A sharp pain shot through me and confirmed- everything happening was real.

I was in a hot mountain man’s bed.

And I never wanted to leave.

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