Page 21 of Cowboy Mountain Man

“I’m here to keep you safe.”

“I know.”

His jaw shifts. I reach up and touch the edge of his beard. It’s softer than I expect. His breath changes. That tiny sound does something terrible to my common sense.

“I can be scared and still want to kiss you,” I say.

For a moment, he doesn’t move. Then his hand comes to my cheek. He gives me time to pull away.

I don’t.

His mouth touches mine. Softly. Just enough to make my fingers curl in his shirt. I lean closer.

He kisses me again, and this time there’s nothing tentative about it. His hand slides to the back of my neck. My mouth opens beneath his, and the low sound he makes travels straight through me.

Oh, that’s a problem.

I turn toward him, pressing closer, and his other hand settles at my waist. For one dizzy second, I think he’s going to pull me into his lap. I’m already preparing to be extremely cooperative.

Then he stops.

His forehead rests against mine. Both of us are breathing harder.

“Harlan?”

His thumb moves along my jaw. “I should’ve stopped that.”

I open my eyes. “Before or after you made it very difficult to remember my name?”

He closes his eyes briefly. “Hope.”

“See? Helpful.”

He lets out a breath that might be a laugh. Then he draws back far enough to look at me. “You’re stranded in my cabin. I’m responsible for you.”

“I’m aware of both those things.”

“I don’t want you feeling like⁠—”

“I don’t.”

He studies my face.

“I wanted that,” I say, cheeks heating. “I still want it.”

His hand tightens at my waist. The silence that follows is considerably more interesting than anything either of us could say. Finally, he eases his hand away. “Get some sleep.”

I stare at him. “That’s your plan?”

“It’s the best one I’ve got.”

I consider arguing. Then I look at the effort it’s costing him to sit still. His jaw is tight. His eyes keep coming back to my mouth. He wants me. That knowledge settles warmly beneath the blanket.

“All right,” I say.

He looks mildly surprised.

“I can cooperate.”