Page 12 of Romanced By the Mountain Man

“And this is Gabby,” Cadence finishes, nodding at the last woman at the table.

Gabby gifts me with another one of her blinding smiles, explaining, “We met yesterday. It didn’t even click for me when you signed your name. You write those wolf books!”

The girls invite me into the booth and quickly pull me into a discussion on their book of the week while I sneak glances at Blade and Ivy. She tucks a strand of hair behind her ear as she talks and gives him a smile. Is it a flirty one? Is she flirting with him? Why does that thought make acid burn in my gut?

Laura follows the direction of my gaze. The other three are animatedly discussing the sexy scene where the alpha wolf gave his fated mate a firm spanking after they met for the first time.

“She’s not interested in him,” Laura murmurs quietly. “She’s into Hale. He owns the gym next door, but the guy is kind of dense. I don’t think he’d ever take the hint.”

“Is Blade into her?” My stupid heart is pounding as I ask the question. I want to march up to him right now and kiss him. I want to show every woman here that he’s my man.Except he’s not.The thought makes my stomach hurt.

“I’ve never seen him with anybody,” Laura says.

Watching them, I can’t help but wonder if maybe Blade is the reason I’m here. What if my soulmate isn’t Landon at all? What if he’s just the man that brought me to this grumpy mountain man?

* * *

Blade

While the womengo back to their book club discussions, I sit several tables away and pretend to answer emails on my phone. Really, I’m listening into their conversation and zeroing in on Gwen’s every move.

Cadence, Laura, and Molly are all married to my friends on the mountain. My friends know that I’m a romance book narrator, but I’ve never mentioned it in front of their women. Unless that came up in casual conversation, the women probably don’t know my true identity. If they did, they’d be nothing but supportive. The romance community is incredibly kind and accepting. It’s the place where everyone is welcome, regardless of their tastes or kinks.

She laughs at something one of the women says, her tits shaking with the motion. Ever since I saw her this morning, she’s taunted me. I know from the way the pink lacy strap keeps peeking out, that she has something sexy on underneath.

When I went to get dressed this morning, I jerked myself off to fantasies of pulling her tank top down and ripping off her bra. I’d expose those juicy tits of hers to my view. Then I’d lick, suck, and nip at them. I’d drive her wild until she was pulling my hair and begging me to give her more.

I’d yank her short skirt up and destroy that thong she’s wearing before I’d slide nine inches deep. I’d make her writhe and moan as my thick cock rammed into her tight, wet hole.

Fuck, I can’t be thinking about this stuff in public. Shaking my head, I force myself to go back to my emails. But the entire time, I keep listening to their conversation. I’m waiting to see if someone will unmask me.

Will she be hurt if that happens? If she were disappointed, I could deal with that. I’ve been a disappointment my whole life. But I’d never hurt Gwen, and I’d never let anyone else hurt her either.

Finally, the club starts to disband. Gwen exchanges numbers with several of the women, and I know within a few hours, news of her arrival will be all over town. After all, Courage is a small place and a famous author is almost like having a celebrity here.

Pride swells in my chest for her. I’m proud of Gwen and all she’s accomplished. I’ve followed her career for years, and she’s done some amazing things. I only wish I could be by her side for all the amazing things she’ll do in the future.

“Where to next?” She asks as I guide her outside. I’m itching to put my hand on her lower back like I did earlier. Hell, I want my hands all over this curvy beauty.

Before I can answer her question, I spot Roman leaving the gym. He jogs over to me and I introduce him to Gwen. He raises his eyebrows at the introduction but says nothing about who she is. He turned his life around after spending a decade in prison, and now he’s the proud owner of a construction company.

Gwen’s phone beeps at her and she scowls at it. “My phone is dying. Do you have a spare charger?”

The other guys are starting to filter out of the gym, and they’re glancing her way. They’re looking at what’s mine, and I have the overwhelming urge to start gouging out eyes. I need her away from them. I need her tucked safely out of sight, so no one can see my treasure. “It’s in my truck. Wait two minutes, and I’ll be there.”

I watch her getting into the cab, loving the way her legs peek out from under that too tiny skirt. I’m dying to know what’s under it, desperate to know what shade her pussy is. That’s something for only me to know.

Glancing back at the guys, I stare them down until they all start finding more interesting things to look at than my woman.

Roman clears his throat, a smirk playing at his lips. We both know damn well I was marking her, telling them in no uncertain terms that she’s off limits.

Scowling at him, I say, “I saw Gabby yesterday. She mentioned a hostel that she crashes at sometimes. Says it’s co-ed, not always safe.”

There’s something between him and Gabby. Something I can’t quite define. All I know is that there’s no way that Roman’s truck “breaks down” as often as it does. But with an age gap of three decades, I worry he’ll never get up the nerve to ask her out.

His jaw tightens, his body language going from relaxed to furious in an instant. “Is that right?”

“Just thought you’d want to know.” There’s something strange going on, but I don’t know enough details. I overheard Trace and Roman talking once. Apparently, Gabby crashes at Roman’s place sometimes when he’s out of town. At least, I think that’s who has been staying in his space without his permission. But why is she doing that and bunking at the hostel?

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