Page 4 of The Mountain Man's Chance

And Camille was an even bigger part. Wherever she was, that was where I’d be.

Both of them understood. They were coming to town tomorrow for my homecoming party at the diner, and I was looking forward to seeing them.

After settling inside with dinner in front of the TV, I checked my phone for any messages from my group of friends from the military. I was the leader of our squad, and when a few of us decided to discharge at the same time, I asked if they would be interested in moving to Appleridge to run a security guard business with me. Most of them took me up on the offer, and six guys were arriving tomorrow.

I had been helping them secure places to stay. My plan was to run the business from my home office for now until I secured a commercial location for us.

The man with a plan.

That was what my mother always used to say to me. My whole life revolved around a plan. And she wasn’t wrong. It helped keep me focused and disciplined.

It also helped me get what I wanted.

And right now, more than anything, I wanted Camille.

When I finished dinner, I took a long, hot shower and jerked off to the thought of Camille. In my bed. Under me. On top of me. Beside me. Next to me when I wake up…

I ended up getting my nut off three times before I was utterly spent. I hadn’t been with any woman since Camille, as I knew no other woman would do it for me. I would wait another hundred years if I had to. My hand would hurt, but I’d survive. I’d already lasted this long.

After pouring my whiskey nightcap and finishing it off in less than five minutes, I was asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow.

My body knew I needed the rest. Not only would all of my energy be spent avoiding people tomorrow but I’d also be setting my sights on convincing the only woman for me that I’d been a selfish jerk. But I loved her, I never stopped loving her, and we belonged together.

CHAPTERTHREE

Camille

My cheeks hurtfrom the fake smile I plastered on my face all night. Whose bright idea was it to have the party at my family’s diner anyway?

The only highlight of the night was seeing my friends. They were a good distraction from the man of the hour. His parents were there, along with everyone in town, and the new crew of former military men moving to town, so I spent a lot of time meeting new people.

But no matter where I went, I felt Zach’s eyes on me. And when I’d find him across the room, he’d hold my gaze and offer me that playful grin of his. The one that always made my stomach flip and my legs clench together. How could he act like there was no bad blood between us?

The feelings I’d pushed away for so long all came rushing back as if they were brand new, flipping my world upside down as if they hadn’t once before. Why? Why couldn’t they stay dormant? Why couldn’t they die like the way I did the day he left?

It wasn’t possible to date anyone in this town either. All the guys around here knew who Zach was and would spend the date asking me questions about him and whether I’d heard from him. It was ridiculous. It felt like everyone saw him when they looked at me. Only one guy never mentioned Zach and I quickly grew to like him. Yet when we began to get closer, I couldn’t do it. My heart wanted only one guy, and fuck, did it frustrate me. I ended up saying I wasn’t emotionally available and never spoke to the dude again. Thank the stars he eventually left town.

I paced back and forth while wringing my hands together. The cold air did nothing to help my nerves, and I huffed and puffed like a damn pissed-off dragon. Which was exactly how I felt.

“Hey, are you okay, Camille?” Lena’s voice washed over me, and her question snapped me away from my racing thoughts.

I whirled around to find her standing behind me. So much for hiding outside. “Yeah, I’m good, why?”

Lena pursed her lips and gave me a look I knew well from her—she wasn’t having my bullshit. “You look like you’re in the midst of a panic attack. It’s like maybe fifty degrees out here, and you have no jacket or sweater on.”

“I needed some fresh air.” I rubbed my hands over my arms as Lena’s statement made me realize how cold I actually was. “It’s crowded in there.”

Lena smirked. “Is it? Or does it feel that way because of a certain someone who can’t take his eyes off you?”

“Ugh,” I groaned. I covered my face with my hands.

“Why are you avoiding him? I figured you two would be holed up in a bed somewhere, barely coming up for air.”

I blew out a breath. “It’s not like that anymore.”

“Do you want to talk about it?” Lena’s eyes softened as she took my hand in hers and squeezed gently.

I did. I wanted so badly to get all of this shit off my chest and free myself of it. But it was also a small town where gossip traveled fast, and while I knew I could trust Lena, sometimes gossip still managed to get around. Either way, I couldn’t hold it in any longer.

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