Page 6 of Mountain Man Protector

FIVE

ADDISON

“Where would we go for dinner?”Was I really considering this arrangement?As soon as the thought filtered through my mind, I realized how could I not? He was offering something guaranteed to keep my heart safe, right? I may not have said yes out loud too wound up to speak, but with my nod, his eyes darkened in victory and the tension I’d felt all day drained from me as he took my hand, his touch gentle yet firm. He swiped his thumb over my wrist, massaging the pulse point.

My heart racing for him, for more of what we’d shared. The anticipation of once again experiencing him inside me made my entire body vibrate with need.

Then, without a word, he tugged me out of my chair. Our chests bumped, and I thought he’d kiss me. Wanted him to. Needed him to press his lips against mine in a repeat of our last kiss. It had been all I could think about for days.

Instead, he led me out to the kitchen, where containers of food had been placed on the island. The mouthwatering scent of a savory sauce with grilled meat filled the air. When I looked from the food to him, he wore a sheepish look on his face.

“It never hurts to be prepared.” Ridge’s grin made my heart skip a beat, and I felt like a schoolgirl realizing the popular boy liked her.

“Don’t tell me you were a Boy Scout, too?”

“Nope. I was ditching school and giving my mom gray hairs from the time I was twelve. Joining the service meant to straighten me out before I ended up in jail. But I ended up loving it and stayed, retiring after twenty.” He collected silverware, napkins and plates and handed them to me, then picked up the containers. “Let’s eat out on the deck.”

He nodded toward the sliding double doors. “Ladies first.”

On shaky legs, I walked through the connected great room and outside. Several seating areas were scattered around the large wrap around deck which overlooked the back of the lodge, offering a view of the treetops and the valley to the west. The sun was beginning to set and there was a warm breeze, unusual for mid Spring, this high up the mountain. The pine scented fresh air completed the scene along with the handsome man who stood at my side not staring at the view as I did, but at me.

Hunger filled his gaze, just as it had the moment I approached him at O’Malley’s Pub and I wondered if we’d even get to the food because suddenly, I was no longer hungry for the meal that looked to be from Full Plate Catering courtesy of Lauren.

No, I was only hungry for Ridge.

“Addy, you need to stop looking at me like that or we’re never going to make it through this dinner.”

“Like, how am I looking at you?” The breathiness of my voice sounded as if I was someone else.

“Like…how your tongue flicks onto your lower lip. Making it juicy and plump, begging for my attention. For my lips, my tongue, to take a long taste of yours. Capturing, then devouring until the sensations are too much for either of us. And you go from begging for my kiss to begging for my tongue buried deep between your thighs.”

Oh. My brain stuttered at the picture he painted, and I had to lock my knees to keep them from knocking.

“Any more questions?”

I shook my head, then realized I shook all over.

And then one word, a plea really slipped out of me. “Please.”

Ridge didn’t need any prompting. I had a feeling he would have followed through on his description even without one, but the fact he held off until I consented. I never thought it would be a huge turn on.

Denying it, and him seemed so silly. I’m a grown woman who knew what she wanted, and he was offering me exactly that. It seemed laughable now I’d tried to warn him away.

But right now, humor was the last thing I wanted either of us to have on our minds.

“Please, what?” Ridge’s voice came out strangled and scratchy and immediately my nipples responded. They pebbled to near pain, aching from the memory of the pleasure he’d given them not that long ago.

“I’m no longer hungry for food. Just you, Ridge.” The blatant demand made my head spin. My boldness—only for him.

“Dammit, you tempt me to take you right here. And if Lars and West, and probably Lauren, weren’t on site, know that I would. My cabin’s not far, and all we have to worry about there is Beatrix. Give me a minute to pack up the food.” Ridge stacked the containers, and I was left staring at his broad back and spectacular butt as he swiftly walked into the lodge.

“Who’s Beatrix?” Tossing my napkin on the table, I followed, confused. Did he have a mother or maybe a daughter I didn’t know about living with him? There had been no mention of anyone in his life, but then again, we hadn’t done much talking that night.

“Don’t worry. I’m not hiding another woman from you. Beatrix is my cat. My very pregnant cat who’s been in hiding for the last couple of days. I think she’s about ready. She’s wary at first with other people, but I think you’ll be okay.” He winked, then grabbed my hand, the bag of food in the other. We walked through the back door of the laundry room out onto a path that led toward his cabin.

Okay, relieved Beatrix wasn’t human. I’d check my flash of jealously later. Right now, the closer we came to his home, the more my excitement grew and the faster my heart pounded.

We barely made it through his front door before his hands were all over me. Pressed up against the heavy wooden door, I wrapped a leg around his waist. I’d never been so glad I’d chosen a flowing skirt to wear then I was at that moment.

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