Page 5 of Beastly Mountain Man

I straightened my turtleneck, which did not need straightening.

“Thank you.”

“You’re welcome. And I’m going to replace that.”

I looked at Bear, who had finally released the ruined lace and was sitting beside it with his tongue hanging out.

“I’m not submitting an underwear reimbursement to a resort.”

Lucky rubbed one hand over the back of his neck. “I’d understand why.”

“I would not survive the administrative trail.”

“Then let me pay for it personally.”

I considered him.

This was not his fault, exactly. He was clearly mortified, Bear was clearly delighted with himself, and cash would make the whole thing feel stranger than it already did.

“No. I have a better idea.”

Lucky’s expression turned cautiously interested. “All right. What do you have in mind?”

“You’re the Property Manager, and you’re responsible for this cabin while I’m here.”

“For property issues, yes.”

“Good. Then we’ll make a deal. If I have a legitimate problem with the rental during my stay, you handle it personally.”

His smile came back slowly. “That’s already pretty close to my job.”

“I’m aware. I’m adding accountability.”

“You don’t think I’m accountable now?”

“I think your dog just ate my underwear.”

A laugh escaped him, low and warm. “Fair point.”

I pointed toward the shredded lace on the floor. “I’m not asking you to personally manufacture replacement plumbing parts or wrestle a generator. If something needs a specialist, call one. But you own the problem until it’s fixed.”

“That I can do.”

“And the deal lasts through checkout.”

“Three nights,” he said, and when I raised an eyebrow, his smile widened. “I manage the property.”

Competence was attractive. I enjoyed that more than I probably should have.

“Then we have an agreement.”

Lucky held out his hand.

His palm was broad and rough when I put mine into it. The handshake should have been ordinary, and it was. It still sent a bright pulse of awareness through me.

“Then we’re agreed,” he said.

“We are.”