Page 18 of Mountain Grump Protector

I tilt my head up before I can stop myself. Cal’s gaze drops to my mouth instantly. And before I can think better of it, I kiss him.

His lips are soft and warm, and for one delicious moment, he kisses me back. His hand tightens on my waist, and I loop my arms around his neck, pulling him closer.

It’s been so long since I kissed someone. Even longer since it was someone I wanted to kiss.

It feels good. He feels good.

Cal groans softly against my mouth.

Then suddenly he stills.

One second, he’s kissing me, the next he’s pulling back hard enough that I almost fall backward.

“Fuck,” he mutters roughly.

My arms fall away, and I let them slide down his chest, resting long enough to feel how hard his chest rises and falls while he works to pull himself together. His eyes are scanning the trees, every line in his body tense.

Reality crashes back in all at once.

“We need to go.” Cal grips my waist and practically hauls me upright with him when he gets to his feet. “Now.”

I blink up at him, still dazed from the kiss. He keeps one hand on my lower back as he guides me out of the trees back toward his truck.

This time, I don’t protest about getting in when he holds the door open.

To my surprise, we don’t head back to the main road at all. Instead, Cal continues down the rougher side road, disappearing into the trees.

But I’m not paying attention. Because despite everything happening around us, all I can think about is that kiss and the way he kissed me back, like maybe he wanted me as badly as I suddenly wanted him.

Chapter Seven

Cal

By the time we make it back to the cabin, I’ve navigated three different back roads, each rougher than the last. With Hatch on the main road, I didn’t want to risk running into him.

Not that I can’t handle him.

I can.

I don’t want to. Not yet. After last night, I’ve had enough of that asshole for a while. Besides, I know he’ll want his cash, and considering Luke needs to grab it from the city, that’ll take a few days.

When I face him, I’ll do it on my terms. Not his. Period.

Truthfully, we could’ve been back at the cabin thirty minutes ago, but I take my time on the roads, and it’s not just about avoiding the asshole.

It’s about avoiding whatever the hell happened between the two of us back there in the bushes.

Not that I don’t want to kiss her.

I do. Fuck, of course I do.

Willow is undoubtedly the sexiest woman I have ever laid eyes on, and it’s about way more than her looks, which, on their own, are enough to fill my fantasies.

Mostly, it’s that fiery attitude she has and the spark behind her eyes that constantly makes me wonder what she's thinking and what she’ll do next.

That combination is more than enough to get me into trouble when it comes to her. And I'm not going there. I promised myself years ago I wouldn't go there again, and I won't, especially not when it comes to a woman who needs my help.

Never again.