Leith (Mountain Men 1)

I wake sometime later, conscious that I’ve slept and some time has passed. She’s still sleeping restfully beside me, but now her hand rests atop mine. I close my eyes, relishing this moment of perfection. How she feels. Her pretty, enchanting scent.

I yawn, and she stirs beside me.

“You awake?”

She nods.

My cock is hard against her arse, and if I didn’t know any better, she’s pressing her own arse against me in silent plea.

I find her hips, her legs, her pretty belly, and slowly drag my fingers lower still. She parts her legs, welcoming me.

I cluck my tongue at her. “Never been touched before, have you?”

She shakes her head.

“Love how eager you are.”

To my surprise, she flips over, rolling right into my space. She places a palm on my chest and her eyes meet mine.

“You’re lovely, you know that?” I say, tipping my finger under her chin. “More beautiful than I ever noticed before. You’re fucking stunning.”

She smiles, and when she does, her whole face lights up. I’d be willing to bet no one's ever told her that before either. How did I find this woman? In Scottish folklore, we have a rich tradition of mystical creatures, gods, and goddesses, and I can’t help but wonder now where she came from or why she’s here.

She looks down at her phone, and a moment later mine buzzes with a text.

You seem very angry and stern, but beneath that rough exterior, there’s a gentler heart.

I stare at my phone for long minutes before I reply, unsure of what to say or how I should.

I didn’t used to be so aloof and angry all the time. I have pleasant memories from my childhood, and even adolescence, of a more carefree time.

That was before Tavish was taken from us.

That was before the weight of responsibility of being head of the Cowen Clan fell to me. Before I had to answer to damn near everyone for every single action I take or don’t. Before the safety of my family rested on my shoulders.

I put my phone down when another text comes in. This isn’t supposed to be interrogation of me, but the other way around. She’s turned the tables.

“We need to get ready to go downstairs,” I tell her, pointing to her pile of clothes in the other room. “Get a pair of leggings and a sweater. It’s a chilly day out there.”

Her face falls, as she folds back the blanket and gets to her feet.

“Why do you look so sad?” I ask, as she swings her legs over the side of the bed. And fuck, what gorgeous legs they are, long and tapered and fucking gorgeous.

She doesn’t answer, not even a text, but I want to know. I walk over to her side of the bed, place my hand on her shoulder, and press her back down on the bed. Her eyes come to me, wide and fearful, and I hold her gaze.

“I asked you a question, Cairstina, and I expect an answer.”

She shrugs.

She doesn’t know, or she doesn’t want to say?

I pick up her mobile on the bed and place it in her hand. "Answer me."

I don’t know what to say. You make all sorts of new things happen to me that I haven’t experienced before.

Beside her text there’s a little emoji of a woman with her mind blown. I feel a lightness in my chest as my lips tip up, and I swear to God I’m smiling for the first time in so long, it feels foreign and unfamiliar to me. Her eyes widen in surprise, then the next moment her fingers are flying over the keys again.

You’re very handsome when you smile. It’s the first time I’ve ever seen you do it.

Something in my chest loosens. I draw in a breath, then let it out again. I don’t comment on her observation.

“You said you feel things you haven’t before. Like what?"

Excitement, for one. You make my heart beat faster. My pulse races as if I’m afraid, only… well, I’m not really afraid, though that’s part of it, too. Followed with an emoji of someone scratching their chin.

I stifle a chuckle at that. She’s cute.

“Anything else?”

Curiosity. Until you, I’ve never been touched by a man, and it’s… something I like very much. I’m curious what else you could do to me. If you know any other ways to make me feel the way you did earlier.

Her brutal honesty is fucking refreshing.

“What else?”

She answers right away.

Anger. You make me feel so frustrated at times. I was angry before, at my brother and mother, but this is very different. And I’ve… never wanted to speak to someone else so badly in my life before you.

I don’t know how to respond at first, then decide on nothing but the unadulterated truth. “I feel the same.”

I watch her text, then my phone buzzes.