“We’re here, pretty eyes.”
Thank God. Both a feeling of relief and disappointment fill me. I’m glad we’re somewhere where we can seek shelter and Bells can get the medical attention she may need, but I’m also sad that I’ll no longer be practically alone with my mountain man.
“He nicknamed her.” Aurora’s whispers break me from my thoughts. Probably because they’re nowhere near close to being whispers.
I peer out the front window, but I don’t see a rough cabin or anything at all, really. “All I see is snow.”
“Spread your legs,” Charles says.
I instantly do it. It’s not until my girlfriends are like What the fuck? that I notice just how quickly I’d spread them for him. My body obviously has a mind of its own. I’ll have to work on that.
Is he smirking? I think he’s smirking. Oh God. My cheeks are on fire. I watch as he opens the glove box. I see a keypad, and he types in a ten-digit code. If I had to guess, he thinks he doesn't have to hide it from me because he did it so fast and there were too many numbers for me to remember.
Too bad for him that’s not really how my mind works. I could tell him those ten numbers right now and then do it backwards if he liked. But I keep all those little facts to myself. When it comes to men, it’s often better to play dumb. Still, there is something inside of me that thinks Charles would be impressed by that skill.
“Welcome home, ladies.” What looks like snow over mountains starts to open up. My mouth falls open in surprise as he pulls into a giant garage. The door closes behind us.
My eyes land on the three men that come to stand in front of the vehicle. All have their arms folded over their chests, and none of them look happy at all to see us.
“They’re more bark than bite,” Charles says.
“I prefer the bite.”
“Bells.” I growl her name. She gives me a weak smile that has me worried. She uses jokes to mask her pain. I turn my head toward Charles. “Promise me you’ll make this right.”
He doesn't say anything at first. I unlock my seatbelt, getting right in his face, not caring that everyone is watching us.
“Promise me.” I stare into his dark eyes.
“Promise,” he finally says before he once again gives me one of those kisses that make me question everything about life.
6
Charles
I can’t stop mauling this beautiful woman. It’s like every logic switch in my brain shuts down when I look into her eyes.
She answers my kiss, her tongue swiping against mine as I pull her to me, her soft body molding to my hard hands.
Her friends gasp, but I ignore them. I ignore my friends, too, losing myself in the taste of this unexpected angel with the pretty eyes. She’s too much, and I want every bit of her. How did this woman just get dropped into my path? I certainly don’t deserve this sort of good fortune, but I’ll take it all the same.
Someone clears their throat. I look up to find Tiernan grinning, Diego blank-faced, and Barrow scratching his head.
I pull away from Clover, though it’s no easy task, especially when I see the dazed look in her eyes, her lips already swollen from the intensity of my kiss.
“Is it just me, or does this mountain man keep pawing at Clover?” Bells puts a palm to the bump on her forehead. “Or maybe I’m hallucinating.”
“It’s real.” Aurora claps. “And I’m here for it!”
Clover blushes and sits back down. As much as I want to pull her into my arms again, that bump on her friend’s head isn’t getting any better.
“Ladies, welcome to the lodge.” I open my door and jump down, then walk around and open Clover’s door.
She puts her hand in mine, trust written all over her, and I help her to the garage floor. Then I open the back doors and assist Aurora and then Bells. The latter is unsteady on her feet.
“Barrow,” I bark.
He hurries over, takes one look at Bells, then whistles. “That’s some knock you got up there.”
I make quick introductions as my men approach. “These ladies wrecked out on the highway, thanks to Leonard. I found them right before the storm hit. This is Aurora.” I point to the pixie-like one. “And this is Bells.” I should introduce Clover, but I find myself pulling her behind me. Because maybe they don’t need to look at her, or know her, or say anything to her.
“And you are?” Tiernan quirks a grin at Clover despite my efforts.
“Clover,” she says warmly.
Too warmly. If she’s warm, I want it to be for me, not the assholes I’ve taken in over the past couple of years.
“I’m going to need a better look at that.” Barrow steps forward, and Bells gives him a long, skeptical look.
“Barrow’s got medic training. You’ll be in good hands,” I assure her.
“I’ll go with you,” Clover and Aurora both pipe up at once.
Barrow reaches up and brushes Bells’ dark, curly hair from her forehead. “Yeah, if you don’t have a concussion I’ll be shocked. Come on. I have some remedies for the pain.” When his fingers stray into her hair, tangling in the curls, he swallows hard. “You need a quiet, dark place.” He casts a glance at her friends. “I need to observe her without interruption.”
I can’t believe what I’m seeing. He strokes her hair again, pretending to push it away from the lump, but I know Barrow too well. He’s enjoying the feel of her. Bells’ eyes get a little heavy-lidded—and I don’t think it’s from the knock in the head.
“Go ahead and take her up to your room, but let us know if you need anything.”
“Come on.” Barrow steps to her and wraps his arm around her waist.
Bells starts to protest, but then sags against him, finally giving in to the pain.
“If you hurt her, I will end you.” Clover’s voice is strong with her pronouncement. Damn, she’s got heart, and I stare at her again like she’s the missing piece of my life-long puzzle.
“Me too,” Aurora adds.
“I can hold my own,” Bells says as Barrow sweeps her past us, his focus entirely on the woman at his side.
Aurora snickers softly. “Did you see the way she was looking at him? I think she’s more than happy to hold her own with that guy. Alone, if you know what I mean.”
Clover laughs, then turns back to me. “You promise he’s going to treat her right? And fix her up?”
“She’s in good hands.” I reach out and cup her warm cheek, my hands unable to maintain any sort of boundaries. “I promise.”
She leans into my touch. “All right. That’s all I needed.”
I want to take her to my part of the lodge, to give her everything she needs, but I’ve also promised to look out for Aurora.
She goes around to the back of the truck and starts pulling on one of the bags. “I can get the stuff,” she chirps.
“I’ll help.” Clover starts heading toward her when Diego comes around the side of the truck.
He doesn’t touch her, but she takes the hint and backs away. With a few easy moves, he’s unloaded what little of their gear we were able to lug to my truck.