Page 14 of Forbidden Passions

“No? Then what are you?” Her voice was soft, curious without being intrusive somehow.

I turned my head to look at her directly. “Just a man who wants to be left alone.”

“Mmm, see, that’s where the puzzle comes in.” She tucked the wayward strand of hair behind her ear. “Because most people who truly want to be alone don’t take in stray dogs. Or let strangers stay during storms.”

“That’s basic human decency, not a character revelation.”

“Is it, though? I think there’s more to you than you want to admit.”

I sighed, turning back to stare at the ceiling. “Can we just sleep?”

“In a minute. First, tell me one thing about yourself. Just one. Then I’ll leave you alone.”

“Why?”

“Because we’re sharing a bed, and I know more about Max than I do about you.”

I considered ignoring her, but something told me she’d just keep pushing. “What do you want to know?”

“How long were you in the military?”

Of course she’d go straight for that. “Ten years. Army Special Forces.”

I’d stayed in too long. Way past the time when I forgot how to sleep without a weapon within reach. I stayed in long enough to come home a stranger. Deciding to give her a taste of her own medicine, I asked, “Now it’s your turn. Tell me something about you.”

She raised an eyebrow. “That wasn’t part of the deal, but I’m glad you’re playing along.” She smiled, settling morecomfortably against the pillow. “I’m a wildlife photographer. I specialize in birds of prey, actually.”

That surprised me. “Is that why you’re here? For the eagles?”

“Among other things. Lone Mountain has some of the best raptor habitats in the region.” She nodded toward the window, where rain still lashed against the glass. “Though this weather isn’t exactly cooperating with my plans.”

I could picture her with a camera, patient and observant, capturing moments most people would miss. It suited her.

“So no better half wondering why you haven’t checked in with him?” I couldn’t help the flare of jealousy at the thought of another man pacing, worrying about her.

“No, it’s just me and max. Your turn again,” she said. “Why Lone Mountain? Of all the places to be alone, why here?”

This was veering into territory I didn’t want to explore. “That’s more than one thing.”

“Humor me.”

I sighed, shifting slightly to ease the tension in my shoulders. I didn’t tell her that the man who owned most of Lone Mountain was ex-military himself and made a habit of taking in strays much like she’d adopted Max. “It’s remote. Beautiful. Quiet. No one bothers me here.”

“Until now,” she added with a small smile.

“Until now,” I agreed, finding myself almost returning her smile despite my best efforts.

Max chose that moment to get up, stretch dramatically, and then flop down between us, taking up far more space than seemed possible for his size. His warm weight pressed against my leg, oddly comforting.

“See? Perfect chaperone,” Callie said, scratching behind Max’s ears. “Though I’m not sure if he’s protecting me from you or you from me.”

The question hung in the air, laced with something that made my cock harden and set my blood on a slow burn. Because despite everything she stirred up in me—irritation, longing, guilt—I wanted her.

“We should sleep,” I said, lacing my fingers together across my stomach so I wouldn’t do something foolish and reach for her. “It’s late.”

“Of course. Goodnight, Gabriel,” Callie murmured.

“Goodnight.” I lay there in the darkness, listening to her breathing gradually slow and deepen as she drifted off. Max’s warm presence between us was both a barrier and a reminder of why she was here in the first place.

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