Page 6 of Romancing the Mountain Man
“If you’re so worried about me, go make me something hot, mountain man,” she presses with sarcasm.
I shake my head and brush past her. “Already one step ahead,” I say as the kettle begins to whistle. I pour us some tea and bring both mugs in where she’s settled in front of the fireplace. The wind is really blowing now, and the rain hits the roof and windows in an angry pattern. Those beautiful leaves that city folk come to stare at are being ripped from the trees by the wind. It doesn’t faze me, but I notice she seems on edge. Whether it’s from the storm or just me being in her space, I don’t know.
Quinn leans back against the couch, watching the flames, that damn almost-see-through tank top back in place. “So, are you staying the night or should I pull a Coyote Ugly at two in the morning?”
I snicker. “I think we both know no one is chewing their arm off to get away from me.” The words are out before I can think about them yet again, and it reminds me it’s been some timesince I’ve had banter with someone like this. It feels too easy, and fun, and that puts me back on guard.
“Luke! Did you just make a joke?”
“No joke. Just truth.”
Jesus, who am I right now? Am I flirting?
“Yeah, you do kinda fit the cliché of romance novels, don’t you?”
I furrow my brows at her. “I do?”
She waves her hand around. “Oh, please. Don’t act so modest. You’re hot. And I bet you look hotter when you chop wood.”
I shake my head at her. “I look nothing but a sweaty mess when I chop wood.”
“Sounds like a perfect storyline to me.”
“Storyline?”
She nods her head. “I’m a romance writer—if I’m allowed to call myself that anymore. I’ve had nothing but loser boyfriends, and the last one cheated on me. So, I’m just waiting for my romance card to be revoked.”
I scoff, leaning back on one arm and stretching my legs in front of me. “Well, I already know he was a complete asshole.”
Her eyes widen, and then she raises a brow and points at me, and I know I’m in for it. “Did you just defend me?”
Her sarcastic tone makes me smile, even though I try to hide it. I shrug. “I mean, maybe you are a mouthy brat, but if I was the guy with you on my arm? I wouldn’t be out looking for something else.”
She wears a smug grin, and I know I just showed my hand a little. “Well, Luke, you surprise me.”
I gulp down the last of my tea before getting up and throwing another log on the fire. “To answer your question, yes, I’m staying here tonight. Don’t worry. I’ll sleep out here, and you can shut the door on the bedroom. But this storm could turn intosomething more, and it wouldn't feel right for me to leave you alone.”
She watches me move around the cabin. I can feel her eyes on me without looking at her.
“Thank you,” she says so quietly I almost miss it. “I’m out of my comfort zone if you haven’t noticed, so though I’m welcoming the change, change is also scary.”
Chapter 6
Quinn
“So, I guess I should admit something.” He looks at me like I’m about to confess to not returning a library book on time. “What's that look for?”
He huffs a laugh. “Guess I just wonder what little Miss Red could have done wrong.”
I narrow my eyes on him. “Don’t you know redheads have tempers? You’d be mindful to be nice to me.”
Now he outright chuckles again, and the sound is growing on me. Though he let his guard down by showing concern when he showed up here with supplies, I didn't expect to be sitting here with him, actually having a heart-to-heart. Luke is really good-looking. He took off his sweatshirt once we got everything secured, and his T-shirt underneath rose with it, showing off a toned stomach. His biceps were what women dream of holding onto. He kicked off his boots, and the fact that he’s in socks, walking around this small area, makes it all feel very intimate.
Get ahold of yourself, Quinn. You don’t know a damn thing about him.
“Anyway, I told you I'm a romance writer. But I’ve had such a string of bad luck with dating, I don't know if I’m actually any good at it anymore.”
“You are,” he says, without thinking.
