Page 5 of Her Mountain Man Neighbor
“Twelve years.” He doesn’t elaborate. Lucian seems like a man of few words.
“Cool. Where did you live before that?”
“Alaska.”
“Wow! I’ve never been there, but I’ve heard it’s beautiful. Lots of dramatic scenery, right? Just like out here?”
He grunts in affirmation but says nothing more.
Jeez, he’s really not giving me anything here.
I guess I can’t hold it against him. He must be just as cold as I am in that muddy shirt. No wonder I’m not his favorite person to talk to right now.
“I’m really sorry again for what happened at the river,” I say.
“I know. You don’t need to keep apologizing.”
His tone is gruff—not unkind—but he still doesn’t look around. He seems determined to avoid my gaze, and I can’t help the pang of hurt that lodges in my throat. I know I shouldn’t care this much about what he thinks: Lucian is a total stranger, even if he did just save my life. But I can’t help wishing he would turn and fix me with those stormy gray eyes again. I remember the way he looked at me back at the river. Sure, he looked pissed off, but something about the heat of his gaze felt so…right. So safe.
I shake off this crazy thought and follow Lucian the rest of the way in silence. We reach Holden’s cabin a few minutes later, and as we approach the front door, the silence is broken by muffled sounds coming from inside. Moaning. A stifled scream of pleasure.
Oh God.
“Uh…” I mumble awkwardly, “maybe I should wait out here for a few?—”
I’m cut off by Lucian striding ahead and hammering on the front door, undeterred. The noises stop. Finally, he looks at me, the weight of his gaze covering me like a blanket.
“They can wait, Grace,” he says. “You can’t.” My name is a deep growl in his mouth, sending shivers through me that have nothing to do with my cold clothes. I try to speak, but then the door opens and Holden’s face peers out. He looks furious, like he’s about to murder whoever dragged him away from my sister. But his expression changes when he sees me standing there, dripping with mud.
“Grace? Lucian? Jesus, what happened to you?”
Lucian ignores the question, not missing a beat as he says, “She needs to come inside and get out of these clothes. You got a fire going?”
Holden nods, standing back from the door. “Come in, both of you. I’ll get you something hot to drink.”
I step over the threshold, but Lucian hangs back. “Thanks, but I’d better get home.” His eyes flicker to me for a second, then back to Holden. “Take care of her.”
The way he says it catches me off guard. It’s half demand, half plea. He doesn’t meet my gaze, but I swear he seems almost reluctant as he steps away from the door, turning his back on us.
“Will do,” Holden says. “Thanks for bringing her home.” He starts to close the door, but I reach out instinctively, holding it open.
“Thank you for everything, Lucian.”
He’s already walking away as he murmurs, “Don’t mention it.” He doesn’t look back, and something sinks inside me as I watch him go.
Holden closes the door, urging me toward the fire. A few moments later, Mila appears. Her lips are swollen, hair messy, jeans on back to front, and I feel so guilty as she fusses overme. “You’re shivering like crazy!” she says fretfully, pulling me toward my room so I can change. “What happened, Gracie?”
I tell her the story, full of shame and apologies. My stupid decision to jump the river has caused everyone so much hassle, and it only solidifies my determination to find a job and get out of Holden and Mila’s hair as soon as possible.
“Thank God that Lucian was there,” Mila says once I’m changed, the two of us sitting by the fire while Holden makes cocoa in the kitchen. “I don’t even want to think about what could have happened if it weren’t for him.” My sister shudders, looking shaken as she wraps an arm around me.
“You’re right. I owe Lucian big time.” I rest my head on her shoulder, letting the warmth of the fire seep through my skin. “I’m sorry for causing such a mess.”
“It’s okay. Just promise me you’ll be more careful next time.”
“I promise.”
Holden brings out the cocoa and hands me a mug before sitting on Mila’s other side.
