Page 16 of Wrong Number, Right Mountain Man
"I know you take cream in your coffee but hate sugar, sing off-key in the shower, and think superhero movies are high art."I cup her face, thumbs brushing away tears. "I know I haven't wanted to take care of someone this badly in years."
"You're serious."
"Dead serious." I lean closer, close enough to kiss her if she wanted. "Come home with me, Sunny."
Her eyes search mine for a long moment. "Okay."
We stop for essentials - clothes, toiletries, things to get her through a few days. The entire time, awareness crackles between us. Her hand finds mine while we walk through the store. I catch her staring at my mouth when she thinks I'm not looking.
The drive further up the mountain is thick with tension. She's wearing my flannel like armor, but I can see her pulse fluttering at the base of her throat.
"I should be more freaked out about going home with a virtual stranger," she says quietly.
"Should you?" I rest my hand on her thigh, thumb tracing circles through the denim. She doesn't pull away.
"No. You don't scare me." She covers my hand with hers. "But maybe you should."
"Why's that?"
"Because I'm thinking very dangerous thoughts about what might happen when we get to your cabin."
My grip tightens involuntarily on her leg. "Sunny."
"I know it's crazy. My life just imploded, and all I can think about is being alone with you." She meets my eyes in the darkness. "Does that make me terrible?"
"Makes you human." I press a kiss on her palm. "And for the record, I've been thinking the same things."
"Good," she breathes. "I'd hate to be alone in this."
The cabin appears through the trees, windows glowing warm and welcoming. I kill the engine and turn to face her.
"Last chance to change your mind," I say, though everything in me hopes she won't.
"Nothing to change." She leans across the console, so close I can feel her breath on my lips. "I've been waiting a long time to see what comes next."
All my attention is on the woman beside me, wearing my shirt, looking at my home like it's where she belongs. And damn do I ever want her to belong here with me.
Chapter 7
Sunny
Myapartmentfeelslikea shoebox compared to this place. After today's disasters, this cabin looks like something from a storybook. It’s solid, secure, and exactly what I imagined when Beck described his mountain home.
A deep bark breaks the silence. As Beck opens the door, a German Shepherd bounds out, circling us with excitement before pressing against Beck's legs.
"Rex, meet Sunny." Beck scratches behind the dog's ears. "Be nice."
Rex approaches cautiously, sniffing my hand before pushing his head against my palm. The simple gesture brings tears to my eyes. Great, now I'm getting emotional over a dog. Today has wrecked me completely.
The cabin's interior wraps around me with warmth and smells of pine and wood-smoke. High ceilings with exposed beams. A stone fireplace dominates one wall. Everything looks handcrafted but natural.
Beck moves through the space lighting lamps, revealing bookshelves packed with paperbacks, a kitchen with copper pots hanging above a serious-looking stove, and a sofa that begs to be curled up on.
"Tea?" He fills a kettle without waiting for my answer.
"God, yes."
In the bathroom, I splash cold water on my face and stare at my reflection. Puffy eyes, wind-tangled hair, mascara tracks like war paint.
