Page 11 of Kidnapped By the Mountain Man

“How?” I balk. “We barely know each other!”

He chuckles. “I know you’re a good girl. The kind that does all the things to make sure everyone else is cared for, instead of looking out for herself. I know you’re absolutely fucking gorgeous, and that asshole doesn’t deserve you. And I know if he gave a damn about you, he’d be here right now so you didn’t have to drive up the mountain in the rain storm that’s on its way.”

As though he’d planned the rain himself, tiny droplets begin to fall from the sky.

“I’m perfectly capable of getting home on my own.”

“It’s not about being capable, Cora. Of course you are. It’s about protecting what’s mine.”

His words strike through me like a sharp knife. No one has ever talked about me like that before. Not once. That’s one of those comments I read about in books that sound too good to be true.

I swallow hard and stare toward him, feeling seen and appreciated for maybe the first time in my life. “Oh,” I finally say, unsure of where to go from there, “I’m sure he cares. He’s just not like you.”

Austin nods. “Yeah. That’s the truth.” He steps toward me, shrinking me between the lifted truck and his large frame. “I don’t think I’m going to let you marry him.”

“Really?” I laugh, my heart slamming against my chest like it’s late for an appointment on the other side of town. “And how are you going to stop me?”

Austin stares at me for a long minute, contemplating something dark. I see the waves spike through his gaze. “First,” he growls, leaning in closer, “I’m going to ask you nicely. Call him and tell him the wedding is off. I’ll help you figure out a way to pay for your mom’s surgery and the farm.”

“You’re hilarious!”

“Or,” he pauses, his gaze on mine, “I lift you up over my shoulder, put you in the truck, and take you back to my cabin until you come to your senses.”

I laugh at the concept, though inside, I’m desperate for him to do just that. “Well, I think maybe I’ll head back home. But… thanks for the chat,” I say sarcastically.

Austin chews at the side of his cheek and looks back at me. “Tell me that you love him, Cora.”

The sky is turning darker, and rain is falling heavier when the streetlamps flicker on. I love this time of night when the shops are aglow. I try to focus on that, but tears still poke at the inside of my eyelids.

“I’ll see you later, Austin.” I dip into the truck and turn the engine over.

“Twenty-four hours, bunny. Twenty-four hours and I step in.” He knocks twice on the car window before I drive away.

Bunny? He’s calling me bunny now? What does that even mean?He’s got to be fifteen years older than me. Maybe it was something you called someone in the old days when you felt sorry for them. He probably sees me as a helpless child.

I contemplate that rational thought for a moment, then push it away. No, there’s no way the look he just gave me was fatherly. That was… something else. Something I’ve never experienced.

I glance into the rearview mirror, hoping to catch another glimpse of him in the rain… and I do. Austin’s in the truck that’s driving behind me, headlights on, following me through the heavy rain home. Because according to him, a real man makes sure his woman is safe. And Austin Sparks certainly is… real.

Chapter Six

Austin

I’ve never kidnapped a woman before. Really, I’ve never kidnapped anyone before. I hope it doesn’t come to that, but there’s no way in hell I’m letting Cora marry that piss ant excuse for a man.

End of story!

The past twenty-four hours have been hell. I followed her home last night and tried to focus on my work today, but I couldn’t stop thinking about her situation. I’m running out of time, so the idea of kidnapping her is rising quickly up the ranks.

I know how insane I am for wanting to toss her over my shoulder and carry her away. I know how insanesheis for wanting to marry a man she didn’t love for the sake of her family. Truthfully, it’s a wash. Whoever said two wrongs don’t make a right is a fucking moron. Of course it does.

The truth is we’re probably both insane, and most likely meant for each other.

I even got to the point where I wondered if I should’ve snatched her up right in the street for everyone to see, but Rugged Mountain is small and there are eyes everywhere.

Here, at nearly eight, we’re still making our way around the town like a two truck parade. It’s dark enough, though, thatit will be harder to see our faces if you don’t know what you’re looking for.

God, I’m thinking like a maniac.Maybe I should lay off the moonshine.My buddy has been perfecting his recipe for months and I’ve been his willing test subject. I thought the shit was good, but maybe it’s been slowly altering my brain. It’s not like me to be… this. I’ve always kept to myself, and the last thing I wanted was to get involved with everyone’s drama. When you become that guy, there’s always someone standing at your door looking for something.

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