Page 14 of Craved By the Mountain Man

She hesitates again.

My jaw locks.

“One grabbed my arm when I tried to leave.”

Something cold settles low in my gut.

“What did you do?”

“I got loose.”

“How?”

“Kaden taught me.”

I think about the move she tried against me when I had her on the wall.

Turn into the grip. Drop the weight. Bring the knee up.

Good instincts.

Not enough against someone who knows how to shut the move down before it starts.

“He taught you some.”

Her chin comes up. “I got away.”

“You did.”

I do not take that from her.

But if some bastard put his hands on her once, I want to make damn sure he never gets the chance again.

“Did they follow you?”

“I don’t think so.”

“That’s not an answer.”

“I changed roads twice. Stopped once. Drove through town before coming up here. I watched for the same cars.”

Better.

“Kaden teach you that too?”

“He was very committed to keeping me alive.”

“So am I.”

The words come out before I bother stopping them.

Her eyes lift to mine.

There is a beat between us that lasts longer than it should.

I break it first and turn toward the kitchen.

“Take off your coat.”