Page 32 of Craved By the Mountain Man

“Yes.”

A strange feeling moves through my chest.

He got up.

Checked whatever Gavin checks before normal people are conscious.

Went into town, bought breakfast, came back.

And I slept through all of it.

I slept because some part of me believed he would still be here when I woke up.

That thought is much more dangerous than watching him shirtless.

Gavin walks past me toward the kitchen.

“Road was clear. No unfamiliar vehicles near the property.”

The reminder of why I am here cuts through the warmth.

“You checked?”

“Yes.”

“Did you hear from Kaden?”

“No.”

My stomach sinks.

“I’m working on it.”

There is enough certainty in his voice that I believe him.

Which may also be dangerous.

He fills the coffee maker with practiced movements, scoops grounds into the filter, and turns it on.

Watching Gavin Mercer make coffee shirtless after having his hands all over my body feels deeply unreasonable.

I sit at the counter before my knees decide to become involved in the situation.

He opens the bakery bag while the coffee brews.

The smell of cinnamon and butter fills the kitchen.

My stomach answers immediately.

Gavin looks at me.

I point a warning finger at him.

“Do not.”

“I didn’t say anything.”

“Your face did.”