Page 2 of Bossy Mountain Man

On the second ring, she answers. "Hey, Selena. What's up?"

I don’t want to worry her, but I can’t sugarcoat the severity of the matter. "Things are getting bad with Mom and Dad. They're furious you haven't returned yet." I hesitate, unsure if I want to tell her the whole truth and cause her even more worry. "It'sgotten so bad—they're considering having me take your place as Artie's fiancée."

Sienna might only be older than me by eleven months, but sometimes it feels like she’s a decade older when the weight of the world is on her shoulders with this farce of a marriage arrangement.

"You know I'd never let that happen. I'll return home on Monday."

"No, you don't have to. I ran away. I'm staying in a cabin not far from the town where you're living. I was thinking that once this all blows over, we can live together in our own bachelorette apartment, just as we always talked about.”

"Did anyone follow you?" The slight panic in her voice makes me want to soothe her fears, if only for a few moments.

"You insult me. You should know me better than that by now." I snort sarcastically.

“Sorry, Selena." I hate hearing the sadness in her tone. Obviously, my sarcasm was lost on her.

"It's okay. But the sooner we get this settled, the sooner I can get away from this bossy mountain man." Of course, I can’t stop thinking about him—my sexy, bossy mountain man. Only a wooden wall separates him from my naked body.

"Wait? What are you talking about? What mountain man?" Sienna’s words pull me out of my mountain man fantasy.

It’s time to come clean. "I rented a cute cabin in the mountains, and this bossy mountain man is claiming it's his cabin and I'm trespassing. He threatened to pick me up, throw me over his shoulder, and carry me outside if I didn't leave on my own. Can you believe that? He even said he would have me arrested for squatting on his property. At least he's giving me time to put some clothes on before he tries to kick me out."

"Wait a minute, why are you naked? Did he do anything to you?"

"I wish."

Crap, did I say that out loud?

"Okay, so tell me why he thinks you're a squatter and why you’re naked."

"It's a long story. Best told in person." I sigh, not wanting to bother her with my silly little problem when she’s looking at a forced marriage. "Let's just say I was hot and tired after the long drive to the cabin. I took a shower, and when I stepped out of the bathroom and walked into the bedroom, a sexy stranger was holding my underwear."

"You're right. I definitely need to see your face as you explain how you ended up in that mess."

"You and me both. I still think he's the squatter."

"Did he look like a squatter?"

"I don't know. I didn't see much beyond his handsome face and muscular body."

"What about your underwear in his hand? It seems like you didn't miss that." She laughs into the phone, making my heart soar in happiness. I’m glad something can lighten her mood, even at my expense. "Which ones were they?"

"We're done with the conversation." I playfully huff into the phone. "I'll call you later, when I've straightened out this mess. And by the way, it was my lace white thong. Love you. Bye." I can’t help adding before I end the call, leaving her to wonder about something other than her pending nuptials. Now to take care of my bossy mountain man.

I scan the room, my eyes falling on a plaid long-sleeved shirt hanging over the chair in the corner.

Perfect.

two

Shaw

"Hey, Shaw.” My brotheranswers the phone call in a way that is too happy for my liking today.

If my day isn’t bad enough with a curvy little squatter in my cabin, I also have to deal with my head-over-heels-in-love brother, Wyatt.

Wyatt has been pursuing Sienna for a few weeks now. He said that when he first saw her, it was love at first sight—at least on his part. She has pushed him away whenever he tries to get close to her.

I’ve called Wyatt all sorts of a fool for chasing after someone who clearly doesn’t want to be caught. Yet, each time I do, he smiles and tells me someday I’ll meet someone who I’ll instantly know is mine and do whatever it takes to make her mine.

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