Page 22 of The Mountain Man's Retribution
“Will it hurt?” I ask, knitting my brows.
“Only for me. For you, it’ll be pure pleasure.”
“But why will it hurt you?” I ask, concern flooding me.
“Because self-control can be painful sometimes. But it’s worth it with you.” He kisses my lips quickly but passionately.
Though his promises please me, my head spins. “Why the sudden change? I thought we had to wait?”
He wheels back around, pulling me tightly into his arms. “You were right earlier when you challenged me about opening my heart. About letting you under my skin. This past week, I’ve held back trying to do right by you, be your teacher and protector, not your lover. But now I realize fear motivated me, fear that taking things to the next level would require a level of trust I’m not ready to give. How can I demand faith and courage from you every damn day and not return the favor, though? And who am I to deny the pull of nature and the pleasures we both crave?”
“Yes.” I nod for emphasis, shivers of anticipation coursing through me.
He beams, stroking my cheek, eyes warm and tender. “Better go before Mrs. McCartney freaks out.”
Grabbing the large pile of clothes with his jogging suit on top, he dangles a pair of sneakers and strappy leather sandals from his fingers as I open the door, and he starts through. My eyes dart to a shiny necklace I’ve been staring at ever since arriving in this room. I’ve done it discreetly, not to look ungrateful to Bodie. But he catches me, a smile lighting up his face. “You want that silver and turquoise necklace, too?”
I nod, looking down timidly.
“Anything you want, Fawn. Remember what I said? There’s nothing I won’t do to make you happy.”
I grab it greedily, smiling from ear to ear as we walk back down the hallway. Mrs. McCartney sits on a barstool at her kitchen counter, eyeing us grimly. Suddenly, a door closes behind us, and I startle. Bodie looks back, furrowing his brows.
“Is somebody else here?” he asks.
She shakes her head, eyeing us with a steely gaze. “Just the breeze. Must’ve left the window open in there.”
I stare at my mountain man, registering the skepticism on his face.
The old woman makes a show of finding her feet again, pushing her walker as we head for the door.
“You still need a ramp, I see,” Bodie grumbles. “Your grandson coming around to help with things?”
The old woman nods, eyeing us both with a disgusted look. Appraising the pile of clothes, shoes, and what I wear, she offers, “Three dozen eggs and three rabbits?”
I hold up the necklace, and she eyes it carefully.
“Four dozen eggs, then?”
“Five,” Bodie says, and the woman’s eyes narrow. She opens her mouth, but he shakes his head, repeating, “Five … for your silence.”
She nods, narrowing her eyes.
“Heard about the fire in the backwoods?” he asks, and her face hardens. “Know any of the people affected by it?”
“Why?” She growls.
“I mean to take up a small charitable offering to help those affected.”
She shakes her head, blinking rapidly. “Folks need to do for themselves. No charity.”
An eerie silence settles like a heavy blanket.
“Come on,” Bodie suddenly urges, grabbing my hand and leading me to the truck. He throws the clothes and shoes in the backseat before helping me in. I scoot over to the middle seat, and he nods. “I’ll buckle you in when I return.”
I nod, hairs standing up on my neck as the old woman glares at me from the porch.
Retrieving the promised items from the coolers, Bodie takes them inside, disappearing for a moment with the old woman. My heart stutters with him out of sight, but I close my eyes, willing myself to feel the warmth of his flesh on mine. Opening my eyes again, I relax as he sprints back out, heading to the truck and climbing inside.
