Page 10 of Mixed Up with the Mountain Man
"How can you be so sure?"
"Because you're not the type to make rash decisions. You're careful, methodical. If this were just lust or vacation madness, you'd have already talked yourself out of it." His thumb traces my lower lip. "But you haven't. Because deep down, you know this is right."
Before I can respond, my phone buzzes from somewhere in our discarded clothes. I reluctantly extract myself from Leo's arms to find it, frowning at the unknown number on the screen.
"Hello?"
"Emma? It's Derek."
My blood runs cold. Derek. My cheating ex-boyfriend, calling me in the middle of the mountains while I'm naked on my new lover's couch.
"What do you want?" I ask, suddenly very aware of my nudity. Leo's eyes sharpen, reading my body language.
"I wanted to apologize. The whole thing with Miranda was a mistake. I miss you, Em. I want to work things out."
"Work things out?" I can't keep the incredulity from my voice. "You cheated on me with your secretary, Derek. While I thought you were at a conference, you were posting vacation photos from Cabo."
"I know, I know. It was stupid. But we're good together, you and me. We make sense. I can get past this reckless phase you're going through—"
"Reckless phase?"
Leo sits up, his expression darkening as he clearly hears Derek's condescending tone through the phone.
"Come on, Em. Quitting your job? Running off to the mountains? This isn't you. You're practical, sensible. We can get you another position at a good firm, get back to our plans—"
"Our plans?" I'm standing now, pacing naked across the living room while fury builds in my chest. "You mean your plans. The ones where I work eighty-hour weeks to fund your lifestyle while you screw around with other women?"
"That's not fair—"
"What's not fair is you calling me after I've found something real." I look at Leo, who's watching me with pride and something fiercer. "Someone who sees me as more than a meal ticket."
"Someone? Em, please don't tell me you're rebounding with some random guy you just met."
"I'm not rebounding." My voice is steady, certain. "I'm moving on. I'm in love."
The silence on the other end is deafening. When Derek speaks again, his voice is tight with anger. "You've known him what, a few days? This is classic you, Em—running scared instead of dealing with real problems."
"The only problem I'm running from is you." I'm done with this conversation. "Don't call me again."
I hang up, hands shaking with adrenaline. When I turn around, Leo is there, pulling me into his arms.
"You okay?" he asks, his voice gentle.
"Better than okay." I press my face against his chest, breathing in his scent. "Thank you."
"For what?"
"For not saying anything. For letting me handle it myself."
"Not my fight." His hand strokes my hair. "But if he keeps calling, it will be."
The protective edge in his voice sends warmth through me. "He won't. Derek doesn't like being told no, but he's not stupid enough to push when he knows he's lost."
"Good." Leo tilts my chin up, his eyes serious. "Because you have lost him, haven't you? Completely?"
"Completely." I rise on my toes to kiss him softly. "There's no going back, Leo. Only forward."
"With me?"
