Page 10 of Loved By the Mountain Man

She doesn’t say anything. She just leans forward and kisses the puckered skin. I try to hide the scar with my beard, but the bristles grow patchy over the dead skin. It must feel hideous under her gentle lips.

When she pulls back, there are tears in her eyes. And that’s when it hits me. This is a pity kiss. Hailey feels sorry for me, and this is what she’s doing. To thank me for my service.

I stand up abruptly.

“You don’t have to feel sorry for me, Hailey.”

There’s a wounded look in her eyes, but I walk away. The last thing I need is pity, especially from Sleeping fucking Beauty.

“Your room’s down the hall.”

I stride out of the room and straight to my bedroom, pulling the door closed behind me and leaving Hailey in the lounge.

I don’t know what the hell I was thinking. Why would a beautiful woman like Hailey want a messed up monster like me?

6

HAILEY

What the heck just happened? Kobe stalked away from me, and I have no idea why. I thought there was something between us. I thought this attraction, this ridiculous, crazy, all-consuming attraction that I have for him, was mutual.

I've seen the way he looks at me. The way he was staring at me all through the TV show like he wanted to pounce on me.

How could I have gotten it so wrong?

Embarrassment enflames my cheeks. I stare at the fire, blazing as intense as the feelings I have burning inside of me right now. I'm so mortified that I want to get out of here and walk down the mountain, even though there's a snowstorm happening outside.

I thought kissing Kobe would be an adventure, one my body was eager to go on. I was so sure that he shared my feelings, right up to the moment when he pulled away after I kissed his scar.

Ah. That's it. I touched his scar.

I wanted to kiss away the hurt. I wanted to let him know that whatever scars he has inside and out, I’m here to heal them.

But maybe it only reminded him of how he got them. Maybe he doesn't think he deserves this. But I can tell he's a good man, and good men are worth fighting for.

Gathering up my courage, not knowing if I'm going to be rejected again, I tentatively knock on his door.

“Kobe?”

There's the sound of weight shifting from behind the door, and I get the feeling he's been leaning on it. Then the door opens. He looks tortured. His eyes are troubled and intense.

“Why did you kiss me?”

He grabs my chin and holds it between his thumb and forefinger, demanding an answer. His fingers press into my flesh, shocking me with how rough he’s been and at the same time making my nipples harden.

“Why, Hailey? Why did you kiss me?”

All the feelings bubble up inside of me and come spilling out.

“Because I've been wanting to kiss you ever since you broke open my door. Because even though I barely know you, I know there’s a connection between us. Because you might be my best adventure yet.”

He stares at me for a long moment.

“Is it pity?”

I'm shocked that he would even think that.

“No, Kobe. Of course not. Why would I pity you? You've done something with purpose in your life, something worthwhile. And yeah, you've got scars, and I can’t even begin to imagine what you’ve been through. But no, I don't pity you. I'm grateful for you, but not pitying.”

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