Page 17 of My Fearless Mountain Man

“No. That’s not what I meant,” I say quickly. When she looks away, I lower my voice. “This isn’t something I’m used to, Nora. Wanting someone like this. Acting on it. I’ve spent years keeping people at a distance for a reason.”

She studies me for a long second before stepping closer. Then, gently, she takes my hand. “So… do all those reasons you’ve built outweigh what you feel?”

I don’t answer right away. When I finally speak, my voice is rough. “My reasons make sense in my head. They’ve always kept things simple... safe. But none of them seem to matter when I’m with you. I don’t want to feel this way and being with me in any way ... you don’t want that either, trust me” I say even though I move with her to her front door, refusing to let her go.

“I’m old enough to know what I want, Calder. I’m twenty-four,” she says, her eyes locked on mine. “I don’t know what’s got you so scared or convinced you don’t deserve something good—but I want you.”

I open my mouth to argue, to throw up another wall, but she takes a step back and gently tugs my hand, guiding me over the threshold. Then she reaches up and presses two fingers to my lips, stopping whatever excuse I was about to make.

“I’m not asking you to be my boyfriend,” she says softly, “or to stay forever, or even to apologize for running after our kiss. I’m just asking you to keep being honest with me... maybe even a little more than before. Because I want you—however you’re able to give yourself to me.”

God, she’s making it even harder to keep pretending I don’t want her. Making me feel like an idiot for trying to fight it.

“You don’t know what you’re asking for,” I say in a raw voice I hardly recognize. Ignoring what I feel is a losing battle. Time to wave the white flag.

Chapter 9 - Nora

“Then show me,” I whisper.

He cups my face, his thumbs brushing my cheeks as his gaze drags over every inch of me—like he’s trying to memorize my features. His breath shortens. Then he kisses me—hard. His mouth captures mine, lips parting as he sucks gently on my bottom lip and pulls me flush against him.

I stroke his chest, heart pounding, and when I draw back, he presses the bridge of his nose to my forehead. I shiver.

“Don’t run away this time, ok?” I murmur.

“Too far gone,” he answers, gently lifting my chin to kiss me again. He pants. “I can’tstopwanting you. I’ve tried. But you’re already under my skin… and in all my dreams.”

His eyes darken like a storm rolling in, and his breath hitches. “Good?” he growls, brushing his mouth over mine without kissing me. “You wreck me in my dreams, Nora.”

He presses his body flush against mine, letting me feel just how hard he is. “You cry my name with that pretty little voice, dig your nails into my back, ride me like you were made for it and I wake up so hard I’m shaking.”

His hand curls around the back of my neck. “You don’t just feel good in my dreams. Youruinme. Every damn time.”

He kicks the door shut with his foot before pulling me back to him to kiss me again, hunger and desire crackling between us.

My gaze drops with his as his hand slides up my ribs, lifting my shirt inch by inch until his fingers graze the swell of my breast. I shiver, my breath hitching, and trail my fingers along the firm lines of his arm, over his shoulder, until our eyes meet again.

He leans in, his voice low and rough like gravel. “After all those filthy letters, sweetheart... you know exactly how good it’s going to be.”

I swallow. I mentioned in one that I was a virgin still ... the most recent one actually. I close my eyes as he cups my breast and gently massages, making my reason start to liquify. I pant and arch back as Calder kisses along my throat until he reaches my racing pulse.

“If you read the last letter ... I mean, I’ve kissed before, I’ve done that, but not ... not past some occasional ... over the clothes ... Calder,” I moan and give up the sentence. He feels too good, he’s too convincing and I just want to keep tasting him.

My mouth seals over his and I tug at his shirt. I’ve fantasized about him naked, shirtless, all of it and I need a hint of the reality. I push his shirt up and stroke along his abs, my fingers following the indents of scars and muscle alike.

“I know, angel,” he murmurs against my mouth, his voice ragged with restraint. “It’s half the reason I’m being so damn careful. I want to make you mine so bad… but only when I know you’re ready. Really ready.”

He presses a kiss to the corner of my lips, then draws back just enough to look me in the eyes. His gaze is scorching and tender all at once. “Tell me what you want. What you’re ready for. I’ll give you anything—everything—but only if it’s a hell yes, Nora.”

My breath catches at the weight of his words. “You’re… okay with it? With me?”

A slow, wicked smile curls his lips. “Okay with it?” he growls. “Sweetheart, I’ve been fantasizing about being your first for six fucking years. If you let me, I’ll make sure it’s the only first you ever need.”

My body arches into his touch. “Yes,” I whisper—firm, breathless, needing.

His mouth claims mine again before he dips and lifts me effortlessly, one arm cradling under my ass as he carries me. My legs wrap around him on instinct, our lips colliding in kiss after hungry kiss. I don’t just kiss him back—I devour him, tugging insistently at his shirt until he laughs, low and dark.

“Patience, angel. We’re doing this slow.”

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