Page 26 of Mountain Wood

I suddenly panic. “Dean?”

He spins around quickly. Awkwardly. “Yeah?”

The hope in his voice throws me off. Am I reading into this all wrong? Maybe hewantsto come back later. Maybe I’m not an obligation to him at all.

My mother’s voice suddenly fills my head, shoving doubt into my heart.“Never be a burden. Men hate a draining woman, Grace.”

The desire to ask him to come back later dies on my tongue. I end up vaguely gesturing around the cabin at nothing and everything because I have no clue what I’m doing. “Um… thanks. You know, for…” I stall out.

We stare at each other, and he arches his brow, waiting for me to continue. “For?”

My mouth’s too dry. “For warming me up.”

He looks annoyed. “Anytime.”

I’ve fucked up here, but he’s gone before I can figure out how to make it right. Gripping the sides of my head, I’m reeling. “You’re so stupid, Grace!”

Did I just make him feel used?

Wait.DidI use him?

I don’t know what I’m doing with Dean. I didn’t mean to let things go that far with him, but didn’t want to stop, either. It was exciting. Thrilling.

Forbidden for the old Grace Finch. Exhilarating for the new one I’m becoming.

I want to do it again. But I’m not the center of attention here. Dean’s priorities donotinclude me. Nor should they.

He’s got work to do.

Standing in front of the blazing fire, I gather up my scattered brain cells.

“Grace, you are not an obligation,” I say to myself. “You’re a delicious little snack.”

And I’m going to keep Dean hungry for me.

Chapter 7

Dean

What. The fuck. Am I doing?

I should havenevermade moves on Grace like that. I’m out of my goddamn mind, and this proves it. She’s my guest, not my girl.

Although, it would be amazing if she was mine. I’d have her so spoiled rotten, she’d never want to leave Bear Creek to go back to… wherever she’s from.

If Nick wasn’t here, I’d have that woman screaming my name until her throat was raw. Three orgasms wasn’t enough to fill me and I crave her again already.

But her attitude confuses me. She was so prickly when I said I had to go.

Fucking hell, does she think I used her?

Does she suspect I’m one of those assholes who takes what they want and walks away afterwards?

My stomach clenches with worry.

“Mornin’,” Nick says, hopping out of his truck with two coffees.

Oscar runs around him excitedly and bumps his leg, nearly taking him out.

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