Page 18 of Kidnapped By the Mountain Man

I nod. “It’s too much. I think the thing is gross and overdone. He just needed a ring that represents his status in society. It’s so stupid.”

“Stupid, yeah,” Austin laughs, “but it’s a gift. A gift from him. A gift you don’t have to return. You can sell it and use the money to help your mom and pay off the ranch.”

I glance toward Austin. “What? No. The ring is a contract. I’m breaking that agreement, so I have to return it.”

“Trust me,” Austin laughs, “my buddy had the same problem. He wanted the ring back, and his ex wouldn’t give it to him. He went so far as to see a lawyer, and based on our laws, the ring was a gift. She pawned it and bought herself a trip to the Bahamas.”

For a second, I wonder how ethically sound a decision to keep the ring would be. Then, I think of all that Rick was hiding from me. His plan to destroy the farmhouse, his prenup written to cut me out of everything should we divorce, and the fact that he’s been sleeping with his secretary.

Weight lifts off my shoulders, and for the first time in months, I feel free. Free to do what I want, to live the life I’ve dreamed of having, and I know right where I want to start.

I slam the door closed on Rick, tuck the ring back into my purse, and lock the front door. I wrap my arms around Austin’s neck. “Can you go back to kidnapping me?” I say with a smile.

He kisses the tip of my nose and grins. “Yeah, I think I can manage that.”

Chapter Eleven

Austin

My hand is throbbing and bleeding from punching Rick, but I don’t regret a thing. In fact, I’d like to hunt the asshole down and punch him a few more times. I’ll have to go through her purse in the morning and see what he was using to find her.

Cora runs warm water over the cuts on my knuckles and grabs a bag of peas from the freezer.

“You got pretty angry there. Are you okay?”

I groan. “Sorry you had to see that, but he deserved it.”

She holds the veggies in place as she curls up next to me on the couch. “I’m not big on violence… but I think you might be my hero. If I hadn’t come up here with you, I wouldn’t have known any of this. I’d have married that guy and thought I was doing the right thing.”

“I agree. Kidnapping you was the best decision ever.” I grin and she responds with a smile, then kisses my hand. It stings a little with her touch, but I don’t show it. I want her. I want all of her. Now and forever.

I lean in and press a kiss to her lips. “Was that dream really about me?”

She grins and nods slowly. “You were doing all kinds of things to me.”

“Mmm… like what?”

She slaps my chest playfully. “Please! I can’t tell you!”

“Why not?”

“Because that’s embarrassing.”

“How about a hint then? Was I kissing you slow?” I drop the peas and bring my hand to her cheek, kissing her neck slowly.

She hums in agreement.

“Were you naked?” I lift my t-shirt off her frame and admire her curved body.

Fuck.

She nods and turns away shyly as I nibble my way down to her perfectly round tits.

“Did I suck your nipples until they were hard and begging?” I do as I say and tighten my lips over her nipples as she pants and squeals beneath my touch.

“Yeah, you did,” she pants. “You worked your way down, and you licked my clit until I was about to come all over your face.”

She looks me directly in my eyes. “That was a dream, but I need you, Austin. I need your cock. I’ve been thinking about it since,” she pauses, “and for a while now. I can’t wait.” Her hips wiggle against the couch. “I need you, but what Rick said is true. I’m… I’ve never…”

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