Page 3 of Temptation for the Mountain Man
Or maybe I'm lowering my guard because I'm so horny. I squeeze my thighs together. Would my mountain man be good with his hands in all areas?I cringe as I think about how I waved at him like an idiot.
High school wasn't great for dating. When you have to take your little sister with you everywhere, it's easier to stay home. I didn't want to leave her alone after finishing my GED, so I worked as an aide at her school to keep her schedule. I cleaned retail stores at night. Erin did her homework to the soundtrack of vacuum cleaners. The pay was terrible, but Mom and her rotating door of boyfriends took all my money as payment for room and board. Still, I kept Erin out of trouble and took her away from that house the second she graduated.
An incoming text pulls me from my thoughts.
SHELLY
Hey, baby. I need u 2 send money to help out with bills this month. Grandma's not doing well.
Speak of the devil. Aw, looks like the new boyfriend doesn't like freeloaders. My grandma is in perfect health. I know this because she and I have a secret code she sends through my mom’s texts if something’s wrong—otherwise, I don’t bother replying. Honestly, she’s the only reason I haven’t blocked my mom’s number altogether.
But anxiety caused by her message bubbles up from my belly, and I quickly fire off a text to my sister.
Heads up. Mom's asking for cash again. Lie low and don't respond to her. Grandma's fine.
Erin's response is immediate, and my stomach drops.
ERIN
Mom called the coffee shop yesterday, looking for me.
Luckily, I told my boss the situation, so he told her I didn't work there anymore.
Damn it. Shelly must be hard up if she's already this aggressive. I should’ve guessed that was the case after the last time we saw each other.
How did she know you were working there?
I told her when she called last month.
I huff an irritated breath, ready to ream her out for such a stupid mistake.
I'm sorry.
She sounded good, and I thought maybe it would be okay. I screwed up.
My heart pangs for my little sister. I hate that she has to keep anything from our mother, but it's the only way to avoid being sucked into her narcissistic orbit. I remember all the years I wished Mom would get better. That she'd stop being selfish and manipulative. That she'd remember she had kids and put us first for once instead of whichever man she had locked down at the time.
But I've had eleven years longer than Erin to accept that some people will never change. And if my mom is any indication, age can sometimes make it worse. The princess routine doesn't age well. The only way to deal with a narcissist is to gray rock the shit out of them. At least that’s what I’ve learned from the free therapy podcasts I’ve managed to find.
Did you tell her you were going to school?
I hold my breath, waiting for her response as the three little dots blink back at me.
No way! She thinks I'm crashing with a friend.
I sigh in relief. If our egg donor knew how much I'm spending on my little sister's room and board, let alone tuition, she would become insufferable. As far as she knows, I can't get a good job with only my GED, and Erin has no money for college. In reality, Erin is studying to become a marine biologist, and I’m sending her every penny I make to help. Between that, a partial scholarship, and a secret college fund Grandma squirreled away, we’ve paid for the first year. And if anyone deserves it, it’s Erin. She's brilliant, kind, and nothing like our mother. I won’t let my mom derail her if I can help it.
Good. Focus on school. She won’t hop on a bus to Florida if she thinks you're couch surfing. I'll call you later. LY
Okay, I can't wait to tell you about the internship program!
Right, the super-expensive opportunity of a lifetime. I send a heart back.
Can't wait!
When we arrive at the resort, I drop my phone into my purse and book it to the housekeeping locker rooms to change into my uniform.
Once I'm ready, I tap on our executive housekeeper's office door.
