Page 13 of My Ruthless Mountain Man

“Stone…” I want this man so much, my chest aches. “You couldn’t have known about the tracker. And what happened with Ryan, that’s partially on him. He should have talked to you.” He seems to consider my words, then shrugs them off like he can’t give up the guilt.

“Ryan is still in trouble, Bratva is looking for you, and you’re stuck with your brother’s ex-best friend until the storm lets up.”

“At least you’ll keep me safe through the storm.”

Stone’s deep gray eyes sharpen on me. He reaches forward, grips my hips, and pulls me onto his lap, with my legs to the side. He cups my cheek in one large hand, tilting my head until I can’t help but drown in the intensity of his silver gaze.

“This storm and any others, baby girl.”

I swallow past the sudden lump in my throat. I want him to mean that. It’s always been Stone. I realize that now. I crushed on him as a teen, but even in college, he was there in the back of my mind, never far from my heart. He’s a hero, and not just to me. He saved countless lives during his time in the SEALs. How can I not look up to him? Or feel the warmth of love creep in when he didn’t hesitate to take me in yesterday, and declare he’d stand between me and the coming storm?

Maybe I’ve always been in love with Stone Colter and didn’t realize it.

My parents and Ryan will have meltdowns over it. But you know what? I no longer care. I’ve never gone after what I wanted. It’s been dictated to me. This time, I’m letting my heart decide. If that means losing the love of my family, then so be it. It’stheirloss.

“What about when this thing with Ryan is over?”

He presses his forehead to mine. “Stay with me. You’re mine, Kendall. I won’t let you go without a fight.”

“Even against my brother? Being with you would probably sever any hope of rekindling your friendship. Are you willing to give that up?”

He pulls me astride his lap, holding me against his chest. “Yes.”

My heart beats harder. He didn’t even take the time to consider a response. “Are you sure? I don’t want my heartbroken, Stone. We barely know each other as adults. You think I’m too young for you. What if, in a few days or weeks when you know me better, you change your mind?”

“It won’t happen. Remember that day you turned eighteen, and I came to your pool party?”

How could I forget? That’s the day I lost Stone and my brother, just in different ways.

“You wore that tiny red bikini and nearly gave me a heart attack. I thought you were the most beautiful woman I’d ever seen. You still are, Kendall. Only now your beauty goes beyond this long, dark hair, pretty eyes, and tiny red triangles.” One corner of his mouth tips up as he looks down my body to my breasts and hips. “Which I want to see you in again.”

I giggle. The heat in his eyes is turning them more silver than gray, and I can’t look away. “I don’t know about that. I’ve put on some weight.”

“Mhmm,” he murmurs, voice laden with appreciation. “Now you’re perfect.”

Hardly, but it melts my heart that he thinks so.“I wanted to say yes,” I whisper.

“To what?”

“When you asked me to marry you. I know it was just to protect me, but I wanted to say yes anyway. Even if I only had you as mine for a few days, I wanted them.”

“It was never just about protection, Kendall.” He cups my cheek, feathering his thumb across my skin. “It’s you.” He nips my lower lip, then slides his tongue across it.

“I want this. I want you, Stone.” Even if it costs me everything. It’s terrifying and freeing all at the same time.

His hands tremble as they slide under the hem of my shirt. “You sure?”

I answer him with a fierce, hungry kiss full of everything I can’t put into words.

He grips my hips and grinds the hard length of his cock between my thighs. “Is this what you need, baby girl?” he rasps.

I roll my hips against his, feeling the ache between my thighs only he can soothe. “Yes.” He feels so good. “More.”

He chuckles against my neck, placing a hot kiss there. “Oh, there’s much more.” Then he lifts me into his arms and carries me to his bed.

CHAPTER SIX

STONE

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