Page 56 of Mountain Wood

That’s so true. She’s more perfect than I could ever dream a woman of being. “I need to change how I do this… maybe learn how to start slower or something.”

“I wouldn’t change a damned thing about you.”

You don’t know a damned thing about me.

Sitting on the edge of the bed, I sigh heavily and try to wrap my head around it really being okay to take Grace so brutally. “I’m going to end up breaking you before Christmas.”

“Oh please.” She sits next to me and laces her boots. “I’m not breakable.”

“Why does that sound like a challenge?”

“Will your dick rise to it if it is?”

“Yes.”

Grace giggles as she straddles my lap. Thank fuck we’re both fully dressed, or I’d be tempted to takeher again. It’s too soon for that. My girl needs time to recover. “I don’t know what’s wrong with me,” I say quietly. “I just want to bury myself inside you as much as possible.”

“Oh no.” She dramatically rolls her eyes and holds the back of her hand to her forehead. “I’m so devastated.”

I love how she makes me laugh. I love that I can’t ever anticipate her responses. I love that—

The bed creaks and in the next blink, loud cracking sounds fill the room. Before we can move, the bed pitches slightly and then the entire piece of furniture collapses.

Fucking hell, we broke her bed!

“Well, that’s a first.” Grace laughs from the wreckage. “Well done, us!”

I’m not happy like her. Not only does this serve as a reminder of how rough I am, but now I have another thing to replace. Another expense.Damnit.

“Are you okay?” I ask, helping her off the floor.

“Definitely. You?”

Physically, yes. Financially, I may not recover if we make this a habit. “I’ll get you a new bed today.”

“What’s the point? I’m just going to stay with you anyway.”

True. I guess the replacement could wait until spring. But my work can’t wait that long. “I really need to get back to work. How about you pack your things and then when I’m done, I’ll take you to my house.”

“I’ll help you.”

“No.” I don’t want her working. “You’re supposed to be here on vacation, Grace. At least enjoy my land for a few days. I’ll come back for you laterthis afternoon.” Without another word, I head out of her bedroom and straight to the front door.

Grace follows me just like Oscar.

“Damnit, woman.”

“I’m not going to hold you back,” she says quickly. “But I really do want to learn.”

She’s got her hammer in her hand. Something tells me that if I push back too much, or snap at her, she’ll smack me upside the head with it.

“I swear I’m a quick learner. I won’t waste your time, Dean.”

My heart drops. “Honey, you would never be a waste of my time.” And I’ve lost my drive to grout and install cabinetry. Call it post orgasm bliss, exhaustion, or the Grace effect, but I just want to be with her. Nothing else seems to matter.

This is bad news.

“Put your coat on.”

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