Page 5 of My Ruthless Mountain Man

The last time I saw her was on her eighteenth birthday. I happen to be on leave from the SEALs and dropped by to wish her a happy birthday. She bounced up in a little red bikini, damp from her pool party, and threw her arms around me in a bear hug. Jesus, I nearly lost my shit. My best friend’s kid sister was all womanly curves and silky, dark hair. Her plump tits pressed to my chest and my hands fell on her warm skin... my dick filled so fast, I grew light-headed. I couldn’t get away from her fast enough.

No way was I going to lust after my best friend’s baby sister like a creep. But damn. That was tough. And I will deny with mydying breath the number of times I’ve thought about her since. Thank fuck she’s far away. Hopefully tucked happily into a good life with people who love her and treat her as she deserves, instead of the cold disinterest her parents offer.

I’m so caught up in my thoughts that I don’t recognize the sound I’m hearing until I round the corner of my cabin and spot the car in my driveway. Movement on my porch catches my eye.

My breath freezes and my blood heats before my brain catches up with what I’m seeing.

Kendall Knowles is on my porch. Her arms are wrapped around her waist, and her dark hair is in a messy bun with strands falling from it.

She’s older now, obviously, but so goddamn beautiful that I can’t think. Her hips, thighs, and tits are fuller. Perfect for my hands. Her lower lip is between her teeth and small worry lines frame her pretty blue eyes. The longer I look, I notice smaller details. There’s a smudge of dirt on the cuff of her light sweater and a duffle bag at her feet. Her shoulders are hunched, as if the weight of life is pushing them down.She swipes a hand over her cheek, seeming to deflate where she stands, and turns away from the door.

Our eyes meet.

“Stone,” she whispers, the light of hope dawning on her face. She says my name like it’s a lifeline.

Ryan’s little sister is standing on my porch, looking like a fallen goddess in desperate need of help.

I don’t know what brought her here, but there’s one thing I know with bone-deep certainty—whatever it is, I’m not letting her go through it alone.

I stride across the distance separating us. “Kendall. You okay, baby girl?” The endearment slips out, but I need the reminder. I’m forty years old, and there’s more than fifteen years between us. She’s way too young for me.AndRyan’s sister.

On the night of our rift, he made me swear I’d leave him and his family alone. Acting on this insane attraction I’m feeling would ruin any chance I have of restoring our friendship.

But there’s no way in hell I’ll turn her away if she needs me.

Kendall throws herself into my arms and holds me tight. “Oh my God, Stone. I’m so happy you’re home. I know you barely know me and I’m the last person you expected to see here, but I didn’t know where else to turn. My parents won’t help, and Ryan isn’t answering his phone, and I don’t know what to do, but I couldn’t stay there.” Her words rush out in a long stream against my chest.

Fuck, I’m achingly aware of how close her mouth is to my bare skin. Every breath is laced with the sweet scent of peach. She smells good enough to eat, which sends my thoughts down a dirty path and floods my brain with images of her writhing on my tongue.This is not the time, asshole.

She tilts her chin up, slaying me with the worry etched in her features. “I hope it’s okay that I’m here.”

“Yeah, of course it’s okay. Come inside. Tell me what’s going on.” I reach past her to open the door and guide her in with my palm on her lower back, then grab her bag and set it inside.

As soon as I close the door, I yank my shirt back on. It’s dirty and smells like sweat, but until I can grab a shower, it’ll have to do. I need every bit of separation I can get from her touch.

I’ve never reacted this way around any other woman. It makes zero sense. Shoving this wayward attraction down, I gently guide her to my small dining table to sit. “Want some tea?”

“Uh, sure. Thank you.”

I fill the kettle and set it on the stove, then grab a couple mugs and the tea Ezra’s wife, Madison, gave me as part of a welcome basket. I never thought I’d use it, but here we are.

I glance over my shoulder and see Kendall hunched in on herself again, her hands held tight in her lap. Like she’s making herself as small as she can. I recognize fear better than most from my time in the service, and my first instinct is to offer her comfort. Okay, second instinct. I’m ignoring my first.

I pour up the tea, then set some milk and honey out, cataloging how she makes it.

Kendall wraps her hands around her cup as if seeking warmth and offers a tiny smile. “Thank you. You must think I’m crazy.”

“I think you’re scared. Start at the beginning. Tell me what’s wrong and how I can help.”

“It’s Ryan. He’s... spiraled in the last few years since his discharge from the Navy. Drinking, gambling, and who knows what else. He’s pushed everyone away.” Kendall frowns at her tea and takes a long sip. “Now, he’s in trouble, and he dragged me into it.” Her hands shake as she removes something from her pocket and lays it on the table.

It’s a crumpled envelope. The last letter I mailed Ryan. At the time, I thought if he didn’t respond, maybe I would quit. Some wounds aren’t meant to heal. I never expected it to bring Kendall to my door.

“That’s how I found you.”

I nod. “How did you get involved?”

Her breath hitches. “Two men came to my house on Friday looking for him. I think they’re from the mob. He owes them a lot of money, and they wanted payment. If he didn’t pay, they threatened...”

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