Page 63 of Mountain Wood

“Then don’t apologize, Dean. This is perfect.”

The last thing I want is for him to feel inferior or not good enough. His home is stunning. Could it use a little feminine touch here and there? Maybe. But this is a reflection of him, his childhood, his joy and his pain. I wouldn’t change a thing.

“Show me your room.” We stare at each other for a long moment and then I step forward, urging him to move along.

He takes me back downstairs, through the living room that boasts a leather couch with a blanket draped over the back and opens the door to a big bedroom that has a bed built for a giant. If I thought it smelled like Dean when I first stepped inside this house, I’m drowning in his scent now. It’s like pine,cloves, cinnamon, and leather all mix in the air, along with a pleasant, light musk. My pussy clenches and I grow hot.

Aren’t I too young for hot flashes?

“I used to get this customized perfume in France,” I blurt out, walking around his personal space, drinking it in. “The fragrance was unique. Made just for me and my body chemistry.” I trail my fingers along the dresser, which has a watch, belt, wallet, and a picture of a younger Dean and older man framed. “It smelled nothing like this.”

“Guess not,” he says, as if offended.

I realize what I’m trying to say has come out all wrong. “If I could bottle up the way it smells in here… I’d drench myself in it every fucking day.”

“You’re telling me sweat and dirt smells good to you?”

“I’m sayingyousmell good to me.” If it’s dirt and sweat, I don’t care. I just know I love it. There’s nothing about Dean I don’t love. His smell. His voice. His touch. His dog. His dirt and tools and grout and…

Wow. I’ve got it bad, don’t I?

Slowly walking around his room, I take in as much detail as possible without looking like a creep. He’s made a home here. My penthouse doesn’t have the same vibe as his place does. You can’t walk through my front door and feel instantly at home there.

There’s dust on his end table by the bed. I run my finger through it and lift my gaze to his. Dean’s standing on the other side of the room, uneasy. I think he might be embarrassed.

Crawling across his mattress, I cock my brow at him. “Bet this bed doesn’t break so easy.”

Chapter 15

Dean

“Bet this bed doesn’t break so easy,” she says, looking like a cougar about to pounce on me.

I can’t fucking talk. My warring emotions have me frozen and I’m tongue tied. I thought bringing her here was a good idea. The best idea. Now, I’m not so sure.

I want her so much I can’t think straight.

The bear scared the shit out of me, but Grace in my bed is even more terrifying.

My body moves of its own accord. My thighs bump against the side of my mattress when I reach out and cup her cheeks. Her dark lashes flutter and eyes close as she relishes my touch.

I’ve got rough, calloused hands. They shouldn’t caress such satin skin.

“I’ve been alone a long fucking time,” I confess in a gruff, low, voice.

“So have I.”

My chest tightens at her response. My need to make her feel good and wanted has me tensing. There’s so much I want to do with this woman. Possibly too much.

“I’m going to want to…” Swallowing my awful warning, I step back.

Grace lifts onto her knees and rests her hands in her lap. She looks like a little kitten. “You’re going to want towhat, Dean?”

This is a mistake of astronomical proportions. Having her in my house all winter is going to kill me. But I made a deal with her and I’m not going to back out of it. I’m determined to give her anything she wants, even if it’ll cost me the most in the end. “I’m going to have a real hard time staying away from you.”

Her pupils blow wide.

I’ve never seen such a visceral reaction before.

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