Page 25 of Mountain Grump Protector

Judging by the way she’s looking at me right now, she knows exactly what I’m thinking. What I’m always thinking about when it comes to her.

Surprising us both, Murph chooses that moment to drop the tennis ball at our feet and sits expectantly, glancing between us, completely oblivious to the fact that the air around us suddenly feels thick enough to choke on.

“I’ll have the rest of Hatch’s money in a few days,” I say, changing the subject before I say something I shouldn’t. Or worse, do something I won’t be able to come back from.

Truthfully, Luke’s already making the run to the city for me to grab the cash. Once he’s back, this whole thing with Hatch is finished.

Years ago, Luke had shown a natural talent for investing and money management, so I, along with the rest of our brothers we’d served with, had trusted him with our finances. He’d never steered us wrong. And over the years, we’d all experienced massive gains.

“What happens then?” She asks, with only the slightest trace of concern on her face. “Will he…will I…”

“I’ll settle the debt.” I don’t meet her eyes. I bend down and pick up the ball, tossing it across the yard harder than necessary.

“And then?”

When I look up, she’s standing closer. Much closer.

Her eyes are locked on mine, flaring with challenge.

I probably should, but I don’t back down.

“And then,” I say, keeping my voice soft as I close what’s left of the space between us. “You can go home.”

Even speaking the words doesn’t feel right. I don’t want her to go home. I want to keep her right here.

“And then…” She reaches out and traces a finger down the front of my t-shirt until it’s resting lightly on the top of my belt buckle. “Will you fuck me then?”

Her words spark something deep and primal low in my gut. Something I’ve been trying to shove far enough down that I can pretend it doesn’t exist at all. But a man can only be pushed so far.

And just like that, I stop pretending.

Willow

He moves so suddenly, I take an automatic step backwards out of reflex. But then his hands are on me. One behind my head, the other on my waist, holding me in place as if I’m going to go anywhere. Not now that he’s finally giving in to whatever this is between us.

Because there is no way I’ve been imagining this heat between us. I see the way he looks at me when he thinks I’m not paying attention. The way he clenches his jaw like he’s trying to hold back out of some kind of…well, I don’t know why he’s been holding back.

For days now, I’ve wanted this man who wouldn’t let himself want me.

Until now.

Three days of me reliving our kisses in my head. Over and over, until every cell in my body felt it. Until my dreams were full of what it would feel like to have his hands sliding over my hot, bare skin.

But now I don’t need to imagine it at all.

It’s happening.

Finally.

A moan slips from my throat, and he slides his fingers through my hair, tugging my head to the side to give him access to my neck.

All logical thought flies out of my brain as his mouth starts moving lower, nipping at my jaw before landing on the sensitive spot below my ear that makes my knees go weak.

“I need you to understand something, Willow.” His voice is rough in my ear, only barely constrained. “This isn’t about what you think you owe me. Because you don’t owe me anything.”

I murmur an acknowledgment, but it’s not enough. Cal lifts his head and looks me in the eyes. “I mean it,” he says. “Not the debt. Not any of it. This is just you and me.”

“Okay.”