Page 18 of Claimed By The Mountain Man

We’re both breathing harder now. Scout looks dazed, and I know I probably look the same.

“Wow,” she whispers.

“Yeah.”

I want to kiss her again. I want to keep kissing her until she forgets every reason she might ever have to leave me, but she trusted me tonight, and I won’t push for more than she’s ready to give.

Even if stopping might kill me.

I brush my thumb beneath her bottom lip. “We should get you home.”

Her smile slips. “Your home.”

“For now,” I say, although every part of me wants to tell her it can be hers too. “Come on.” I open the passenger door for her.

Scout pauses before climbing inside. “Carter?”

“Yeah?”

“I’m glad my car broke down near your house.”

The guilt hits me hard enough to steal my breath. I force a smile. “So am I.”

She settles into her seat, and I close the door before walking around the car. The lie about the part sits heavy in my stomach as I climb behind the wheel.

Scout reaches for my hand as soon as I start the engine. I thread our fingers together and bring her knuckles to my lips, pressing a kiss against them.

She trusts me. Tonight, she chose me, and somehow, I have to make sure she never regrets it.

7

Scout

“Hey, are you busy?” Hazel asks when I answer her call.

“Um.” My eyes lock with Carter’s.

He nods. “Go ahead and talk with your friend. I’m going to get started on our romantic dinner.”

He gives me a cocky grin, and I laugh as I slip off the barstool and walk into the living room to talk to Hazel.

“Okay, I’m good. What’s up?” I ask as I sit down on the couch and get comfortable.

“I just wanted to check in with you and see if you were okay,” she says.

Hazel sounds… weird. She’s obviously worried and tense. Hearing her like that has me on edge instantly.

I stiffen, sitting up straight. “Yeah, I’m fine. Are you? What’s going on, Haze?”

“Your dad has been calling a lot, Scout.”

My stomach plummets. “Yeah, I’ve got a bunch of missed calls from him too. I’ve been ignoring him. He’s muted on my phone, but every time I look, I have more texts and calls and voicemails from him.”

“Same. He’s getting desperate. He’s called me a dozen times in the last few hours.”

“Fuck,” I croak.

“And he was outside my apartment this morning.”