Branded By The Mountain Man (Thickwood CO)

“Thank fuck,” he groans, capturing my mouth and kissing me, his tongue taking over my mouth, coaxing mine to join and owning my mouth. This kiss is heated, intense, slow and sexy and everything I dreamed a kiss should be. “Your lips are sweeter than sugar, Sunshine.”

I laugh quietly, reaching up to tuck a strand of his hair away from his face.

“You need a trim.”

“You’re not fooling me, Ophelia. You like my hair.”

“I do,” I admit, still smiling. “But a nice trim would be nice.”

“You can do it later,” he allows, and I roll my eyes, but I’m secretly happy.

“I didn’t use a condom, honey.”

“Shit,” I hiss, because I didn’t even think about it.

“I haven’t had sex since Heather and honey that’s been years ago. I’m clean I swear, but…”

“Heather? Is she the owner of the jogging pants and t-shirts you’ve been letting me wear?”

“Yeah.” My lips curl in distaste and more than a little bit of worry. “Stop that, Ophelia.”

“Stop what?”

“Whatever it is you’re thinking. Heather has been gone a long time, but the truth is, I wanted her gone even before she left. She wasn’t there for me through my recovery. She didn’t try to be, and it didn’t take me long to know I didn’t want her there either.”

“How were you hurt?” I ask, afraid to ask, but needing to know.

“I was out on a call. Thickwood is a small town, but we’ve got a few stores. The first to build was a chain motel. Some of the residents were happy it was here, others not so much. It was three stories and they built it so quick, that I have to admit I was skittish too. One of the guests, used the kitchenette in her room to make dinner, she fell asleep forgetting she left the small stove on. The owners had used shoddy material to build it, which meant it went up like a fucking matchbox. We got people out pretty quick, luckily Thickwood isn’t exactly a tourist trap. I was paired with Judd and was right behind him when the beam above me crumbled, trapping me. The rest is a blur, but Judd went against orders and came back in and got me. He could have died doing that. I owe him more than I could ever pay.”

“I knew I liked Judd and Cora for some reason,” I murmur.

“Yeah.”

His thumb brushes against my cheek and I keep looking in his eyes and I can see the truth there, but it still stings.

“We’re going to get my clothes today and I’m burning Heather’s,” I warn him, deciding the best thing to do is to change the subject so Braden doesn’t get lost in the memories.

Surprise lights up his features and he grins.

“Anything you want, Sunshine.”

“And I am going to get my van today.”

“But, you’re staying here,” he bargains.

“Yeah,” I agree, because that’s exactly what I want.

“Then, we’ll get your van on the way back from town.”

“What do you need in town?” I ask, because his kitchen is stocked up enough for at least a few more months.

“Condoms,” he answers, and I can feel my face heat up. “I want you again, honey. I messed up the first time and left you unprotected. I won’t do it a second time.”

I push up against him, his heat calling to me almost as much as the look on his face.

“I’m on the pill, Braden.” I murmur, my hand dropping down between our bodies to circle around his hard cock, stroking him.

“Sunshine,” he moans.

“And I need you again, too.”

“I’m yours, honey. I’m yours,” he growls, as I guide him inside of me.

“And I’m yours,” I whisper into his ear, hoping he understands exactly what I’m saying.16BradenOne Month LaterI’ve been away from Ophelia for two hours. It’s the longest two hours in my life. She’s been living at the cabin for a month now, and everything just kind of clicked into place. Maybe it’s sudden, but I don’t care. I’m the happiest I’ve ever been in my life, and I never thought that could be something I’d be able to say—especially after my accident. Having Ophelia in my life, however, has changed everything. As I round the curve to turn into my driveway, a feeling of rightness hits me. This home has become my sanctuary over the years, but now with Ophelia in my life, for the first time it feels like a home.

When Heather and I were together it never felt like that. But then, I never felt as connected to her as I should have.

I love Ophelia.

I never truly loved Heather and she couldn’t have loved me either. If she did, the scars I carry wouldn’t have mattered to her. They don’t to Ophelia. They never have.

Just as that realization hits me, another one does and this one is far less pleasant.