Page 9 of Mountain Man's Curvy Girl

Chloe

His place is exactly what I imagined—rugged, cozy, and undeniably masculine. A log cabin tucked into the trees, the soft glow of lights from the windows casting long shadows over the drenched yard. It’s nothing like my tiny house, but it feels… safe. Warm.

Ethan kills the engine and turns to me, his jaw tight, his blue-gray eyes searching mine. “Stay close to me,” he says, his voice low and commanding. “The path’s slick.”

I nod, my throat too dry to speak, and he’s out of the truck before I can blink, circling around to open my door. His hand is warm and solid as it closes over mine, helping me down, and the second my boots hit the wet ground, he’s pulling me close, his arm wrapping around my waist like he’s afraid I’ll slip.

The walk to the cabin is short, but every step feels loaded, his body pressed against mine, his warmth seeping into me through the layers of my coat. By the time we reach the door, my heart is pounding so hard I can barely hear the heavy rain.

He unlocks the door and pushes it open, guiding me inside. The cabin is dimly lit, the faint smell of wood smoke lingering in the air, and the warmth hits me immediately, chasing away the last of the cold.

“Sit,” he says, nodding toward the worn leather couch near the fireplace. “I’ll get the fire going.”

I do as he says, sinking into the cushions as he moves around the room with a quiet efficiency that’s almost hypnotic. His broad shoulders and strong back flex with every movement, and I find myself unable to look away, my eyes tracing the line of his jaw, the way his hands work so confidently, so effortlessly.

The fire roars to life within minutes, casting a soft, flickering glow over the room, and he turns to me, his gaze dark and unreadable.

“Better?” he asks, his voice softer now, but no less commanding.

I nod, swallowing hard. “Yeah. Thank you.”

He steps closer, his hands on his hips as he watches me, and the tension in the room thickens, wrapping around us like the heat from the fire. “You should take off your coat,” he says after a moment. “You’ll overheat.”

I fumble with the zipper, my hands shaking slightly, and he’s there in an instant, his large hands brushing mine away as he pulls it off for me. His fingers linger on my shoulders, and I can feel the heat of his touch through my sweater, searing into my skin.

“You’re nervous,” he murmurs, his voice low and rough, like gravel under my skin.

“I’m not,” I lie, my breath catching as his hands slide down my arms.

“Liar,” he says softly, his lips twitching into the faintest smirk. “You don’t have to be. I told you, Chloe. I’ve got you.”

Chapter 10

Ethan

She’s standing there, trembling, her dark eyes locked on mine like I’m the only thing in the world she can see. And maybe I am—because right now, she’s the only thing I can see. The firelight dances across her skin, making her glow, and all I can think is how much I want to touch her. To make her mine.

“Come here,” I say softly, holding out a hand.

She hesitates for just a second, her teeth sinking into her bottom lip, but then she steps forward, placing her small hand in mine. I guide her closer, my free hand resting on her hip as I look down at her, taking in every detail—her soft, full lips, the way her sweater clings to her curves.

“You’re beautiful,” I murmur, my voice rough but steady. “You know that, right?”

Her cheeks darken, and she glances away, but I tilt her chin up, forcing her to look at me. “I mean it, Chloe. You’re the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.”

Her breath catches, her eyes wide and searching, and I can see the doubt flickering there—the fear, the uncertainty. I hate it. I want to erase it. I want her to see herself the way I see her.

“You don’t have to be nervous,” I say, my thumb brushing over her cheek. “I’m not going to hurt you. I’ll take care of you, sweetheart. I promise.”

She swallows hard, her lips parting as if to say something, but no words come out. Instead, she leans into me, her hands clutching my shirt, and I take that as my cue.

Slowly, gently, I lower my head, brushing my lips against hers. It’s soft at first, careful, but when she sighs into my mouth, I deepen the kiss, my hand sliding to the small of her back to pull her closer. She melts against me, her body fitting perfectly against mine, and I groan softly, the sound vibrating between us.

“Ethan,” she whispers, her voice shaky but full of need. “I—”

“I’ve got you,” I murmur, my lips moving to her neck, trailing soft, open-mouthed kisses along her skin. “Let me take care of you, Chloe. Let me show you how good it can be.”

She nods, her fingers tangling in my hair, and I lift her effortlessly, cradling her against my chest as I carry her toward the bedroom. She gasps softly, her arms wrapping around my neck, but she doesn’t protest. She just holds on, her head resting against my shoulder as I kick the door open and set her down on the edge of the bed.

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