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“Yeah… of course. You’re always welcome. Any word on when the roads will be cleared?”
“Not until the weekend by the sounds. Though, I know they called a couple of plows in from the city to help out.” My father rubs his hands together in an attempt to heat them up. “How are you two doing? Funny how you ran into each other. Sorry I didn’t mention knowing Rowan sooner. You two could’ve hooked up beforehand and made a plan to get this bear.” Dad looks toward Rowan. “My girl here is the best game warden this mountain has ever seen.”
Rowan grins and glances toward me. “That’s what I hear.” I’m thankful he doesn’t rip into me again. “The people in town aren’t our biggest fans, but hopefully we’ll be in and out of here quickly.”
“Yeah, sorry about that.” Dad brushes his hand down over his beard. “Usually, these families are real welcoming. I think a few of your brothers got off on the wrong foot with some farmers regarding land access. Folks are real sensitive about that in these parts, but you know how it goes.”
Rowan nods. “Yeah. I think it was a mistake on their part. They’ve tried apologizing but people are pissed.”
“Folks will come around. Give it time. When you catch that bear, they’ll have a parade for you. He was seen downtown last night trying to get into the bakery. Mrs. Robinson made some‘Wanted’posters with the bear’s picture. Everyone loves Mrs. Robinson, and the posters are funny, but all this action is scaring folks. You guys will be heroes soon enough.”
Rowan drags in a heavy breath and lets it out slowly, his gaze on mine. We both know what he’s thinking. I messed up his chance to take down the bear and the whole town giving himhero status for it. Well, the joke is on him because I plan on stopping everyone.
I stare out the window, watching the early afternoon light fade as the snow begins to dissipate. My father and Rowan are talking about truck engines. Dad thinks Ford is the best, Rowan likes his Chevy. Is this what it’s like having a boyfriend? Jake and I dated for months, and he couldn’t bother himself with my family. Not even once. Granted, Rowan’s situation is a little different and I’m clearly losing my mind thinking otherwise.
“I think I’m going to take a nap. My ankle is aching.”
“Probably because you were up making that lunch. You should’ve been resting.” Rowan stares at me with intensity as though I’ve disobeyed him or something.
I roll my eyes. “Yeah, well, that’s me. Never following orders.” I lean into my father and kiss his forehead, resisting the urge to do the same to Rowan.
Why is it so hard to resist? Why does it make me happy that he cares? I’m not supposed to be catching feelings for him. I’m supposed to be using him.
“No, cupcake. I’ll help you into the bed.” My father stands and flashes of the unmade bed come to mind. The sheets are wrinkled like there were two bodies lying on the mattress… because there was. Dad can’t see that.
“No! I’m fine.” I push my father away. “Really, I—”
“I’ll help you.” Rowan stands from the couch and hooks into my arm. I should stop him too, if not for the sake of my heart, at least for show. Why would I want Rowan helping me over my father? It won’t make sense to him, and if it does, he’ll overthink it all and assume Rowan and I are being inappropriate.
These are the thoughts that go through my head as Rowan walks me to the bedroom, his giant arm hooked with mine, his weight holding me up. I don't need this much help. I hobbledaround all morning on my own, and in reality, I’m only leaving the living room because I need to detach from whatever I’m feeling. Now here I am, feeling it more. I have his scent all over me and my clit is throbbing again.
“You need a replay of last night, or you got this?” Rowan stares down at me as I settle onto the bed. His gaze is narrowed and there’s a smirk on his face.
I drag in a deep breath. “You wouldn’t dare give me a replay with my father in the next room.”
He leans in and whispers low in my ear, “Dream of me licking that little pussy clean, princess.” His tone is deep and warm, leaving a chill on my spine that tingles down between my legs. Good Lord, I need help. All kinds of help. The kind that gives me reprieve and saves me from myself.
Can I get that in a package deal somewhere?
“You’re evil,” I say, sliding under the covers.
He grabs a pillow and props my ankle up. “Rest. I’ve got things with your dad for a while.” The scent of pine fills my nose as he leans in and kisses my forehead. His beard is scratchy, and his breath is warm. “See… this could work out fine. Your dad would get used to this and I could too.”
“I thought we weren’t complicating this.”
“You aren’t complicating this. I am.”
“Why?”
He shrugs and sits on the edge of the bed, his thick fingers moving through my hair. I love it, but the door is wide open, and the cabin is small. A few steps to the left and we’ll be explaining a lot more than why we slept together last night. “I’m complicating this because I—”
“Everything okay in here?” Dad stands in the doorway staring down at Rowan whose hand is still on my face. “What’s going on?”
Rowan holds his gaze on mine then stands from the bed, towering over my tall father and everything else in the room for that matter.
I miss his weight immediately. I should tell my father that I like him, but what good would that do? Rowan is going back to Alaska soon. Driving a wedge between my father and his friend for the sake of a‘feeling’doesn’t seem right.
“I was… I have a headache,” I manage.
