Page 9 of Watched By the Mountain Man

Running a hand down my face, I slowly make my way over to her.

“Get it over with,” I order, not having it in me to beat around the bush. Might as well rip the bandaid off right now and forget all about this woman if that’s even possible.

When Melanie looks my way, I realize we’re not on the same page here. Do I really have to explain it to her?

She bumps me with her umbrella when rain soaks my shoulders. For someone who’s about to inflict quite the pain, she’s still kind.

“I came to apologize,” she starts up much to my surprise, “for kissing you and playing stupid games.”

My chest aches at her words. What in the world does she have to apologize for?

“I loved the kiss,” I admit shamelessly, “don’t apologize for that.”

Melanie’s brows shoot up in surprise. “But…you ignored me after.”

“I’m trying to make it easier for myself for when you move on.” When her umbrella bumps me again, I take it from her and shield her from the rain. “You’ve messed me up, Melanie.”

“Move on?” she repeats before shaking her head. “I don’t understand.”

Am I really going to have to explain my pain to her?

“After you get what you need, I won’t have a reason to keep you within arms reach anymore. You’ll be doing your stuff and I’ll have to go back to rescuing full-time.”

“What if I ask you to keep seeing me after I’m finished? Is that enough of a reason?” she asks as she steps forward. Her hand brushes my chest and I can bet she feels the way my heart is going nuts for her.

“I don’t want to hold you back, Melanie. What if you want to move back-”

“I won’t. There aren’t any mean mountain men in the city, not any that will interest me. You won’t be there. I planned on sticking around a long time ago.” Biting her lip, she stares at the logo on my shirt. Now she’s getting all shy again. “Do you want to keep seeing me?”

Is that even a question? Instead of thinking about being on the mountain alone, I’m imagining coming home after a long shift and being welcomed by my researcher. I’d complain about a rescue or two and she’d tell me all about her findings for that day.

Rather than giving her some kind of yes or no, I kiss her again. I don’t care if anyone sees us as my entire focus is on the woman shivering in my arms.

Fuck, she’s cold.

Before I can let myself get too lost in our kiss, I tug away from her lips and look down at her surprised face.

“We need to get you home and warmed up. I don’t want you catching something and canceling on me again,” I explain as I look around the parking lot. When only seeing our vehicles, I frown. “Where’s your car?”

“I walked here.” When my frown deepens, her smile grows wider.. “I needed the time to build up the courage to talk to you anyway. This place isn’t that far away.”

Does that mean she intended on walking back home if I rejected her? That is wrong on so many levels.

“Come on, I’ll take you home.” With the umbrella in one hand and the other pressed against her lower back, I guide her toward my truck. Poor things covered in mud from the last rescue. Melanie doesn’t complain when I get her inside and buckled up. That blush never leaves her cheeks and I swear if it’s from her getting sick, I’m going to be pissed at myself for letting her walk through the rain.

Once she’s got her umbrella wrapped up and I’ve got the heater turned on to stop her shivers, she guides me to her apartment complex. I’ve never been to her place before, but I have been a bit curious. Though, never enough to push.

When I settle in the parking lot, I don’t rush her out of the truck. Not when she’s staring at the building with hesitance. Is something wrong?

“Would you like to come inside?” she asks after a moment, finally looking my way.

“Sure,” I agree all too easily. I’m curious about her lifestyle and I’m also not wanting my time with her to end. After canceling our time on the mountain, my day has been outright awful up until the last hour of my shift.

We abandon my truck and she guides me down the row of doors. There is little sunlight left in the day and I know I’m going to have one hell of a hard time getting back to my cabin on the mountain. It’ll be worth the drive, every second spent with the woman.

Stopping at one door in particular, she unlocks the door but pauses before opening it. “It’s a little unorganized. I didn’t expect company.”

Stepping inside, I’m hit with such a warm spicy smell. Cinnamon? When the lights are turned on, I’m immediately taking in the small details.

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