Page 8 of Loved By the Mountain Man

The inside is even more impressive than the outside.

It's an open plan kitchen and living area. The back wall is exposed wooden logs, and the front is floor to ceiling windows looking out into the dark forest.

“Wow,” is all I can say, because I am utterly speechless. I’ve never been anywhere this nice before or anywhere that feels so much like home.

“It’s even more beautiful in the daylight.”

I didn’t know Kobe had come up behind me, and his voice makes me jump. He’s so close his breath tickles the back of my neck, making the tiny hairs stand up on end.

“You can see right down to the valley.”

“Wow.”

I seem to be at a loss for words, because I’m repeating myself here. In all my travels, I’ve never seen anything so beautiful.

“I’ll get the fire going, and then I’ll get us something to eat. Any requests?”

A fire and a hot meal and a proper log cabin with a mountain man. This is one adventure I’m not going to forget.

5

KOBE

Two hours later, I’ve got the fire blazing, and we’re sitting in front of the TV watching The fucking Bachelor. Well, Hailey’s watching The Bachelor, and I’m watching Hailey. I don’t care for reality TV, but I’ll watch it every damn day of the week if it means hanging out with Hailey.

She’s sitting on the couch and I’m on the chair, which I’ve positioned slightly back from her so she can’t see that I can’t take my eyes off of her.

Her hair is dry now, and it’s a dusty blonde that falls and waves down her shoulders. Just before dinner, she scooped it up and tied it in a messy knot, and escaped tendrils are teasing the back of her neck. I long to sweep them out of the way and plant my lips there.

Hailey tilts her head back and laughs at something on the screen. I made dinner earlier, cheesy pasta at her request, and a bit of gloopy cheese clings to the corner of her mouth. As she laughs, it stretches from one lip to the other. It should be gross, but it’s endearing. I’m jealous of that cheese.

I have to sit on my hands to keep from reaching out and touching her. Jesus, what is wrong with me? I’ve been a happy bachelor for thirty-nine years, and now here I am going gaga over a woman just because she’s got soft-looking hair and cheese on her lips.

But she’s not just any woman,my heart whispers.She’syourwoman.

One of the characters on screen gets emotional and Hailey leans forward, absorbed in the drama playing out.

I take the opportunity to scoop up the plates and take them to the kitchen. I’m not interested in The Bachelor. But I sure as hell am interested in Hailey. I’ve been waiting for this damn show to finish so I can find out more about her.

I finish up the dishes and make cups of hot cocoa for the both of us. The Bachelor’s just finishing up when I bring them through to the lounge.

This time I take a seat on the sofa next to her as I hand her a steaming mug.

Hailey’s already told me a little bit about her background, where she grew up and the sister she left behind. But I want to know more.

“How long have you been on the road?”

She blows on her cocoa to cool it down, her lips pouting together in a way that makes my dick pay attention. I shift on the couch so she can’t see my growing hard-on.

“I left about two months ago.”

“Why? What makes a young woman go off on her own?”

I love that she’s got an adventurous spirit, but I’m curious and fearful for her. It can’t be safe travelling alone.

Hailey shrugs. “I come from a small town. And I didn’t wanna end up like my sister and like my friends.”

“Why? What have they got themselves into?”

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