Page 11 of Mail Order Mountain Man

God, I need help. Twenty-four hours in and I’m both jealous and horny over a guy I barely know. Maybe this is what desperation looks like. I’ve spent so many years trying to find the perfect man that I neglected the urges I’d inevitably have. Now, I’m getting all possessive and weird.

Cole dismisses Dad’s offers. “Nah. I’m seeing someone, actually.”

Shit! No! My eyes squint closed.Don’t say it. Don’t say it. Don’t say it.

Dad’s tone brightens as he says, “Shit. Didn’t know that, son. Who is it?”

Son?I read into the simple name and wait for Cole’s response with strained ears and a clenched stomach.

“A younger woman. She works down at Waylon’s.”

“Younger?” Dad laughs it off. “Well look at you, robbing the cradle.”

Cole doesn’t laugh. “Not really. We get along and that’s what matters.”

“It is.” Dad clears his throat. I’m guessing his ego is bruised because his joke didn’t land. That’s another thing about Dad. He’s a bit of an egomaniac who needs to be praised. “Who’s the lucky girl?”

My throat tightens, and as I’m leaning forward to listen harder, I trip on a cord, fall back into the nightstand, and send a bowl of marbles flying to the floor.

Damn it!

“Is she here now? Fuck. I’m sorry. When I got here, I went around back to dump the wood like always. I didn’t even see anyone else parked out there. You need to put a sock on the door or something.” My dad let’s go a belly laugh at his own joke.

Either Cole doesn’t respond, or I don’t hear him. Either way, I’m crawling around the cabin floor searching for marbles like I’m a lost boy inPeter Pan.

Seconds later, Cole bursts through the door. “Are you okay?”

I turn back. “Yeah. That scared the hell out of me, though. What are you thinking telling him you’re dating someone?”

“I want him to know. We were matched for a reason. And ten minutes ago, we both knew why. Are you saying you don’t feel it now?”

I sigh. “I’m saying it’s more complicated than feelings.”

“Okay, how so? I’m a problem solver.”

“It’s not that easy. I can’t put it into words. If I could, I’d have found a solution already. This is that strange place in the ether, you know… where things make sense to us, but they’d fuck everything else up.”

He narrows his brows and grips my hands in his. “How does that work? If it makes sense to us, it works. We’ve just got to get through the bullshit. Your dad didn’t sound bothered by an age gap romance. I’m sure he’d be fine with it given time.”

“He wasn’t bothered when it wassomeone else’sdaughter. He’s going to flip when he finds out it’s me. Trust me. Dad showing up tonight was a sign. A sign from the universe telling us to stop before things go further.”

He rolls his shoulders back then tightens them up.

A lump grows in my throat. “This isn’t what I want. Believe me.”

His gaze draws toward the corner of the room, and he stays silent.

Maybe he’s right. Maybe I should stand up to my dad, tell him what I want, and if he’s not okay with it, then so be it. I don’t owe him anything. I’m an adult. I can make my own decisions. It’s time I make a family for myself, anyway. I don’t need his approval for it.

I suck in a deep breath and let it out slowly. “Even if I wanted this, you still have your job to think about. You don’t have to sacrifice everything for this.”

He laughs wrapping me in his arms. “I think you’re being dramatic. Your dad will be upset for a little while, then he’ll move on.”

“I should go.”

“Please stay.” His voice is rough with need, and I feel it all over. In my heart, in my bones, between my legs…everywhere.

I tip up onto my toes and kiss his lips one last time. “I have to, Cole. Thank you for tonight. I won’t forget it.”

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