Page 2 of Mountain Man Protector

But I knew it wasn’t in the cards for me and it was better to focus on what I was here to do. I saw no signs of a controlling nature coming from West, so assuming their relationship wasn’t anything but a healthy one left me happy for them.

I knew not every man was like my college boyfriend: jealous, controlling and so insecure that during my rotations at the psych hospital when I worked with male patients, he’d somehow turn it into an argument. And once I woke up to the fact he’d never change, I’d ended things. Deciding the next guy would never get the same chance to manipulate me or question my choice of career.

I’d vowed I wouldn’t let anyone that close again. In fact, Ridge had come the closest and, even with clear boundaries, look how that had turned out.

For the next hour, West and I went through my proposal. They’d envisioned a destination for their guests to do nothing but rest if that’s what they wanted, or they’d have resources available if the guest wanted to engage with others during their stay.

“I’ve got to say, Addison. All of what you're proposing is above and beyond our expectations. We can’t wait to offer your services.” West smiled and his response was just what I needed to hear.

“Please, call me Addy. And I’m honored to work with you and your partners. My older brother was a Marine. He could have benefitted from a program like this.” West handed me a tissue from the box on the table. Sometimes, at just the mention of my brother, a rush of emotion hit me. But I quickly recovered. The worry on his face touched my heart, and I offered him a reassuring smile.

The Triple R Lodge wasn’t for someone who needed more serious intervention or services. But I couldn’t help but feel a momentary melancholy thinking of Josh. A part of me knew he would have benefitted from a place like this.

“The chance to focus on assisting men and women to reclaim themselves through connection with others who’d walked the same path, fought similar battles allows me to give back and in a small way makes my family’s struggles after my brother succumbed to his demons a bit more manageable. It’s never easy, and the sadness is always just under the surface, but as I tell my patients, that feeling never goes away. It’s how we deal with it and continue to live our lives that really matters. So, by giving these heroes access to therapy or an opportunity to learn a new skill at no cost to them, well, it just means so much to me.” Reaching out I touched West’s arm, and gave it a light squeeze of reassurance.

So wrapped up in our discussion, it took me a moment to realize West and I were no longer alone. The hairs on the back of my neck went up right before a familiar and unique scent drifted over me. Glancing toward the doorway, Ridge stood with hands on hips, feet apart, his gaze hooded and focused on me.

For a brief moment, regret overcame me as I remembered my vow. He exuded everything I found irresistible. Yet, there was a flash in his midnight eyes of jealously, which I knew only too well. Instinctively, I pulled back my arm, lowering it into my lap, then twisted the tissue in my hands. When I realized what I’d done, I lifted my chin and stared back at Ridge. I would not fall back into my old habit of worrying about what a man thought about how I interacted with others, especially another man. Those days were over.

But as quick as it had appeared, Ridge’s anger vanished and replaced by a look I knew very well—desire. And just like that, I began picturing how soon I could get my hands on him again.

Dammit, why hadn’t I gone to Vegas for my birthday?

TWO

RIDGE

Beingwith Addison in the same space again felt so damn right. Yet seeing her with West, with their heads bent together, filled me with a rage I hadn’t felt since my first tour. And certainly never over a woman.

Had this been the feeling West also experienced when he’d first met Lauren? If so, now I got it. Love had been so far down my list of life goals. Yet, the memory of our time together slammed into me. How she’d been so incredibly responsive. How I’d spent weeks looking for her.

West looked from me to Addison, then asked, “Do you two know each other? I’m getting the sense that?—”

“Not until that night. She’s not someone I would ever forget meeting. Isn’t that right, Addison, is it?” I asked, without expecting an answer.

I’d told no lies and kept our secret safe—for now. I also deliberately left out the qualifier of “that night” as being the night of Lauren’s birthday party turned into an engagement celebration when West had surprised her with a ring.

I wanted to make it crystal clear and leave no doubt how much I remembered her and all her sweet pleas and moans.

And if she wasn’t aware from my words or my unbreaking gaze as I looked my fill, there would be a repeat ofthat night.And no better time than the present to make my intentions known. Without taking my eyes off Addison, I asked, “Could you do me a favor and talk to Lars about the housekeeping situation? He keeps assuring me he has it handled, but we both know he’s procrastinating.” Okay, maybe it was a lame request, but being alone with this woman was all I could focus on.

“I have a few questions for the good doctor, and her thoughts on talk therapy versus pharmaceutical.” I watched, fascinated, as one of her delicate eyebrows rose at my words. She maintained a composed look on her beautiful face, but her eyes were telegraphing another story. Fire and ice warred in her gaze as she nodded at West.

“I think we’re done. If I have any more questions before your grand opening, I’ll be in touch.”

West looked between us once more. A lift at the corner of his mouth disappeared as he covered it with a fake sneeze. “You owe me, Beauchamp. I feel my allergies kicking in.”

His statement forced me to break eye contact with Addison. “What are you talking about? As long as we’ve known each other, you’ve never complained about allergies.”

My long-time friend shrugged. “I’m allergic to riling up the big guy. Lauren would be very upset with me, and you, if Lars takes his frustrations out on my face.”

I swear his brain chemistry had altered since he got together with his woman. I hadn’t gotten used to all the smiling and joking around. “Don’t drag Lauren into this, Jesus, you’re a real pain in the uh…” I paused, looking at Addison. Unsure how deep I wanted to get into things with West over the third partner.

“Don’t mind me. I’ve heard a man swear. Plenty of times. Comes with having an older brother and the work I do with trauma survivors.”

“Right. Well, not very professional of me, since this is a meeting, of sorts.” I rubbed the back of my neck. Embarrassment wasn’t an emotion I gave much credence to. If someone didn’t like me, the way I spoke, the way I lived my life, that was their problem. But with her, this need to impress was new and felt like an unused muscle.

I waited until West had left the building. The sound of the back door closing echoed down the hallway. I stepped fully into the room and inhaled deeply as her scent washed over me. I wanted to rub it all over me. If she’d let me close enough, I swore I’d never wash it off.Fuck. Where had that come from?

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