Page 9 of The Beast of the Mountain
“Thanks,” I say, missing the way his hand felt on mine. “I’ll let you know either way.”
Bear grunts and I feel his gaze follow me as I leave the car and head to the mechanic’s shop. Unfortunately, it’s closed and the note on the door isn’t comforting. Leo’s out and his nephew is covering for him, but he’s not going to be here for a few days because of the storm. Looks like I’m stuck and so is my car.
I sigh and then tell Bear.
“I don’t mind taking a look at your car. If it’s something simple, I might be able to get it started.”
“That would be great. You’d do that for me?”
“There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for you, Riley.”
More tingles. A million needles all over my body. I’m beginning to believe that.
“When you check in at the Inn, talk to Mom,” Bear says. “Ask her for a slice of her cobbler. Tell her Bear sent you.”
“Your mom works there?”
He snorts. “No. Mom’s just her nickname.” He scratches his head. “I’m not sure I know her real name to be honest. Everyone calls her Mom. Well, Mama Bear too. She can get a little ornery from time to time.”
I sigh. “Alright. Thanks again for all your help.”
“You sure you don’t want to spend the night with me? I have some extra cobbler from my last visit to town.”
Ugh. Ireallywant to. But I don’t want to torture myself. There’s no way anything could work out between us. Different worlds.
“I think I’ll stick to the Inn for now.”
I swallow, ignoring the uncomfortable feelings welling inside me.
“Okay,” Bear says, but the tone tells a different story.
“I’ll let you know if they have room for me,” I say.
Bear nods and then I walk away, instantly regretting my decision. But when I make it to the Inn and open the door, I think my decision has been made for me. There’s no way I’m staying here.
In front of me is a man who smells like death, carrying dead rabbits over his shoulders as an older woman screams at him. Yeah, no thanks, I’m out of here.
“Your Mama’d be ashamed,” she screams, admonishing the man as I leave the Inn.
When I make it back to the truck, hopping inside and buckling myself in, Bear looks at me with a confused expression on his face.
“Don’t ask,” I say. “Let’s go get that cobbler.”
Bear smiles, turns the ignition, and we make our way back up the mountain—the decision I should’ve made earlier.
Chapter 4
Bear
She’s here.She’s in my cabin, sitting in my chair, and she’s about to take the first bite of my cobbler. Well, Mom’s cobbler but my point still stands. My girl’s here, and I’m going to make sure she doesn’t leave.
Riley moans, long and deep as the first forkful enters her mouth and her lips wrap around the fork.
Jesus.
Shit.
My cock has been rock solid from the moment I laid eyes on Riley, but right now it’s about to split my jeans open. I clench my own fork in my fist, unable to concentrate on anything but her lips and the way her eyes flutter closed as she moans.
