Ruthless Mountain Man

by Jenika Snow

  Two can play at this game.

  “C’mon, Kozmo, Rosie.” I call them with a smug ass grin on my face. Opening the door, the scent smacks me in the face and smells so damn good. I can’t even deny how hungry I am when my stomach growls. As I walk down the hall and into the kitchen, I see Luke at the stove cooking.

  Well shit, a girl could get used to this.

  “Morning,” I say, walking toward the coffee maker.

  “Morning,” he replies gruffly. “I shoveled a small part in the back for the dogs so they can go outside.”

  “Oh, thank you.” I smile, though he can’t see me. Looks like the grinch has a heart after all. “Do you mind if I grab some coffee?”

  “Help yourself,” he says, keeping his focus on the stove.

  Opening up the cupboard, I have to stand on my tiptoes to reach a mug. I feel the shirt slide up my ass as I struggle to grab one. Who the hell puts coffee cups on the top shelf anyway? Just as I’m about to ask for help, I feel Luke’s body pressed against my back as he reaches effortlessly for a mug and sets it down in front of me.

  All the air gets sucked out of my lungs when he places his hands on the counter and cages me in with his arms. “You’re gonna have to do better than that, sweetheart,” he whispers in my ear. I hate the way his breath tickles my neck and my body shivers in response. Asshole.

  Straightening my shoulders, I arch my back and press my ass against his groin. I grab the mug before spinning around to face him. “I could’ve eventually reached it myself but I figured climbing on top of the counter and straddling your rice cooker would be bad guest etiquette,” I taunt.

  I watch as he swallows hard and pins me with his dark eyes. “Actually, it’s a bread maker.”

  Arching a brow, I bite my lower lip to hold back a laugh. “Interesting. Who knew you were so domestic?”

  Now he’s the one to arch a brow. “I chop wood, cook, clean, and make bread from scratch. It’s called surviving.”

  I grin. “The full package.”

  Blinking, I watch as his eyes lower and widen once they land on my chest. Our bodies are nearly touching, but my nipples are standing hard at attention through the thin cotton. I can feel the damn things practically throbbing.

  His gaze lands back on me and the moment turns feral as he presses his hips against me. I feel the hardness of his erection through his dark-wash jeans. My heart pounds harder, and I wonder what he’s thinking because his expression is unreadable as his chiseled jaw tightens and his lips twitch.

  Kozmo’s piercing-loud bark breaks us apart as Luke startles and jumps back. I hold back a chuckle as I realize that Kozmo’s protective instincts caused him to intervene.

  “I should let them outside,” I say, breaking the tension between us. Luke steps aside so I can open the back door. The wind is brisk and forceful, and I immediately regret not wearing sweatpants now. However, feeling Luke’s reaction to my bare legs just might make it worth it after all.

  I call for Kozmo and Rosie, and they both go running into the snow. Closing the door halfway, I watch as they jump and run around in the spot Luke shoveled. We have at least a foot of snow already, which couldn’t have been easy to shovel through. I can’t figure him out. He hates my dogs so why would he go out in this shit weather for them?

  “I’m starting to think they’re growing on you,” I say smugly and turn around. Luke’s back at the stove, flipping the bacon and keeping his gaze glued to the pan. “Thanks again for making a path for them.”

  “I didn’t do it for them.” He grunts. “Not a fan of dogs shitting in my house.”

  I roll my eyes although he’s not looking at me. “Mm-hmm. I’m sure that’s it.” Turning back around to watch Kozmo and Rosie, I smile knowing I just got the upper hand back.

  8

  LUKE

  I try to focus on cooking breakfast, but the image of Kylie trying to reach for that damn cup, her wearing my shirt and it riding up and showing the perfect creases of her ass cheeks, has my cock stiffer than a fucking steel pipe. I reach down and adjust myself while she has her back to me.

  Glancing over to where she stands by the open doorway, I can’t help but check her out. Since first seeing her she’s gotten under my skin in the most frustrating and arousing way imaginable. She has one arm wrapped around her middle, her fingers curled around her hip. The T-shirt formed to her slender body. Her other hand is holding the coffee mug, and when she brings it up to take a sip, a gust of wind blows tendrils of her hair over her shoulder.

  Motherfucker. I am a dirty bastard.

  I can’t help but imagine my hand wrapped around those locks, pulling her head back, devouring her mouth. I hold in the groan that’s about to escape.

  “Kozmo! No, dammit,” she yells at the dog. “Why don’t you listen?” she says under her breath, and I don’t hide my laugh. Who knows what the hell the dog is doing or what he got into again.

  Looking over my shoulder, I see her slipping on my snow boots that are obviously too big for her and stepping onto the porch. Although the storm is planning on making another hard sweep later today, right now it’s not too bad. The overcast sky, fierce wind, and promise of more snow, still hangs in the air.

  I feel feral where Kylie is concerned, and it doesn’t help matters that she’s wearing my clothing and sleeping in my house. Possessiveness slams into me at the thought of taking that shirt off and running my nose up the length of her spine. I know she’d smell like me—like I marked her.

  When I see the dogs hauling ass back to the cabin, I turn my focus to the stove once again. The sound of the front door shutting has me tightening my hold on the spatula. Hell, I’m so hard up just picturing taking the plastic utensil, lifting the shirt up and over her ass, and smacking the fleshy globes until I leave a red mark.

  Closing my eyes and exhaling, I grapple with myself. This woman is going to be the death of me. It’s not just her hot as fuck appearance but the fact that her sass and attitude turns me on like no other. We’re total opposites, like oil and water, but I’m pretty sure that’s what makes me want her like a fiend.

  “Take a seat. Breakfast is done.” My words are short, clipped, my voice husky like I’ve been gargling sand for the last hour. Clearing my throat, I focus on the food in front of me. “Sausage?” I ask over my shoulder. When she doesn’t respond, I look at her. Her cheeks are painted a pretty shade of pink, and I can’t help but lift a brow. “Well?” I turn around fully and notice the way her gaze lowers to my crotch. That makes my cock jerk. At this point, there’s no doubt my erection is straining against my jeans—very fucking evident.

  “What?” she asks almost breathlessly.

  I know exactly where her mind is, and I can’t help play the situation up to my advantage. “I asked if you like sausage.” My face is stone sober, my voice clear and steady. I’m wondering if she’s thinking about me standing naked in my room. I’d seen her look down at my dick more than once last night, and I’m not ashamed to say when she turned in for the night I finished myself off thinking about her.

  “I mean—I—what?” She stumbles over her words, and I chuckle.

  “Get your mind out of the gutter, princess. I’m talking about breakfast sausage.” I hold up a sausage link skewered on the end of a fork, grinning because I know exactly what she’s thinking about—or rather, picturing. “I have this or bacon. Your choice.” I see her face grow even redder.

  “Bacon is fine,” she says quickly and turns away.

  As I’m putting her food on the plate, I can hear Kozmo hauling ass back and forth across my living room. I close my eyes and grit my teeth, exhaling roughly as I try to get control of my irritation. When it’s clear he’s not going to stop, and in fact starts doing this loud pitched whine while doing a marathon in my cabin, I growl out low and turn to face Kylie.

  “Can you please get control of your damn dog?” I grit the words out. She slowly turns around and pierces me with a scathing look. If I were a lesser man, my balls would h
ave no doubt shriveled at her expression.

  “He’s just working out some energy,” she explains. I can tell she’s trying to control herself—same as me.

  “I expect your dog not to use my house like a racetrack.” I walk over and set the plate of food in front of her, both of us staring at each other for long seconds, the irritation running between us thick. I turn back to get my own plate, knowing she’s got a lot more to say.

  “He’s a dog. He needs exercise, and without being able to go outside and run around, he’s got to get his energy out somehow.” She narrows her eyes at me, her tone implying I’m dense as fuck.

  I don’t respond right away as I move back to the table and sit down across from her. I grab my coffee cup and take a hearty drink as I glare at her over the rim. “If he wants to haul ass around my cabin, he can do laps in the path I made outside. But he better do it before the storm comes back with a vengeance.”

  She rolls her eyes and snorts. “You’re so damn irritating,” she says under her breath.

  “The feeling is mutual, princess.”

  She narrows her eyes even more at me. “It’s Kylie. Not Princess,” she reminds me.

  I smile, but it’s more a flash of teeth and a glare in her direction. Despite her annoying the hell out of me, one thing’s for sure—my cock’s still fucking hard as a rock.

  We eat in silence, which is just fine by me. Arguing with her is giving me indigestion.

  “I need to grab more wood from the shed while the weather isn’t a bitch.” I stand and bring my plate to the sink. “We probably have a good day or two left before the weather clears up enough.” I turn and face her. “But even then, it can take a while for the power to kick back on or the roads to be cleared to head into town.”

  She exhales and braces her head in her hands, looking almost defeated. “So you’re saying I’m good and fucked?”

  I know what she means but what I am thinking has nothing to do with the weather and everything to do with getting her in my bed and making sure she is literally good and fucked.

  “Sounds about right, Kylie.” I emphasize her name like the asshole I am. I don’t say anything else as I put my boots and coat on and head outside. I give Kozmo a hard look as he zooms past me. How can I expect Kylie to handle him when it’s like he’s on speed, running around the room and chasing his own tail?

  The cold and manual labor will help in getting my annoyance over Kozmo in control, and hopefully calming my out-of-control libido, at least until I go back in the cabin and have to see Kylie again.

  9

  KYLIE

  I can’t believe I’m stuck here for at least another few days.

  Kozmo and Rosie don’t seem fazed in the least that they’re getting evil glares and side comments about them. It irks me on a level that brings out my inner bitch, especially when his moods go from hot to cold in a matter of seconds.

  After I finished eating and cleaning the dishes, I take a self-tour of his cabin. It’s then I notice there aren’t many personal items around his place. Besides the framed picture I found in the guest room, there are no other photos. I don’t even see any decor or even a simple throw pillow. It’s like he’s soulless.

  That thought makes me sad. Is it because he has no one or because he lost them all?

  That thought makes me even sadder.

  I peek into his bedroom, the same room I walked into last night and saw all of him. Except this time, I take the opportunity to snoop around. I know I shouldn’t, but honestly, I’m bored and nosey. This man has so many secrets, I’m surprised his head is big enough to keep them all in.

  His room is plain with very little to look at. There’s a door connecting to another room, so after double-checking that the coast is clear and he hasn’t returned, I walk over and turn the doorknob, pushing it open.

  “Well, I’ll be damned.” My jaw drops when I see the extravagant master bathroom that’s obviously been remodeled since the cabin’s been built. There’s a wide glass shower with a massive rainfall shower head on the ceiling. The tub is huge with jets and sits next to a window that overlooks the property. It’s stunning. It even has a privacy wall so you can soak in peace. “Now that’s my kinda tub,” I mutter to myself.

  Walking over, I get a better look, and the temptation to try it out is too hard to resist. I glance into the bedroom and see Kozmo and Rosie have made themselves at home on Luke’s bed. After contemplating for only a second, I decide I’m going in. I can totally enjoy this tub without him finding out, or at least that’s what I’m telling myself.

  I doubt he ever uses it, which is a waste of a badass tub. Turning the water on and closing the plug, I watch in amazement at how fast it fills up. The water is hot and feels incredible. I toss his baggy T-shirt off and slide my panties down before stepping in and sinking into the water.

  “Holy shit,” I moan, leaning my head back against the tile and closing my eyes as the tub fills up. This is the best place on earth. I may never leave now.

  I turn the water off and glance out the window that overlooks the side of his property. The snow is coming down harder than before, and I can tell the wind has picked up making me that much happier I’m soaking in hot water right now.

  And then I hear Luke grumbling in his bedroom about the dogs being on his bed. Shit.

  Sinking lower into the tub, I say a quick prayer that he doesn’t come in here and bust me.

  Then the bathroom door swings open.

  So much for that.

  The privacy wall blocks most of his body, so I sink lower into the tub, the water now coming up to my mouth. I’m hoping he walks out before seeing me. Though I know I should’ve asked before using it, I thought he’d be in a better mood after the way he acted this morning.

  Guess I was wrong.

  The glass door opens, and when Luke reaches in to turn the water on, I realize he’s about to take a shower right in front of me. The tub is right next to the shower, giving me the perfect view.

  I should let him know I’m in here but then a moment later, he steps inside buck ass naked and one glance at his backside has me thinking really inappropriate thoughts.

  I’m going to hell.

  Luke stands directly under the showerhead and scrubs his palms over his face as water cascades down his hard, muscular body. He looks so defeated, almost vulnerable as he tilts his head back and releases a sigh. I watch as he lathers soap in between his hands and rubs it over his muscular body and hair. Every part of Luke is chiseled to perfection, which makes me hate him even more. Why couldn’t my next door neighbor be an old man with a beer gut and offer me cookies and milk instead?

  I’m lost in thought when he turns to the side and flexes his ass cheek muscles. Sweet fucking lord. Despite the warm water I’m soaking in, my nipples harden when my gaze wanders down to his cock. Licking my lips, I feel dirty watching him like this, knowing he isn’t aware of my presence, but I can’t stop. This is now the second time I’ve seen this man naked in less than twenty-four hours, and I’m starting to wonder if the dry spell I’ve been in is starting to make me act like a crazy person.

  Probably.

  Just when I think it can’t get any worse, Luke grips his shaft and strokes his thick cock. The monster between his thighs starts to harden in his hand. He closes his eyes and groans. His deep growl echoes throughout the room but goes straight to my core, increasing the ache between legs. Luke continues his self-pleasure, palming his dick harder and soon it’s a show I can’t look away from. Luke rests his free hand against the tiled wall and braces his weight against it as he increases his rhythm.

  Fuck my life.

  I’m torn between this being the hottest thing I’ve ever witnessed and the most embarrassing situation I’ve gotten myself into. I don’t know how long I stare at him jerking off, but I do know the second he spots me he’s going to be raging pissed—and possibly kick me out. But no matter what happens, it’s too late. I didn’t warn him I was in here from the start, so there�
��s no going back now.

  Sliding my hand down my stomach, I reach between my legs and circle my clit that’s throbbing for attention. Feeling him pressed against me this morning had all my senses awakening, and I could’ve sworn he was going to be the first to crack. The tension between us is so evident that I have to wonder how he can stay in control.

  I keep my gaze on his erection and imagine what it’d feel like to have his hands and lips on me right now. I imagine the sweet torture of his cock sliding into me and all that rage and frustration was released as our bodies molded together as one.

  I imagine a lot of things I shouldn’t be imagining.

  Luke is a confusing man with his hot and cold personality, and I don’t have any room for that in my life—but fuck if I’m not tempted to play with fire.

  Increasing my pace, I let my finger circle my clit in a mad dash for relief. Luke’s throaty howl as he comes has me biting my lower lip hard as I try to conceal my own pleasure.

  “Fuck,” I hear him mutter as his whole body tenses. After a prolonged moment, his chest rising and falling from the clear strain he just put himself through, he turns and rinses off. Swallowing in anticipation for the moment he realizes I just watched him, I’m relieved when he shuts off the water and steps out of the shower without looking at me.

  Staying as still as possible, I watch in the glass reflection as he dries off before wrapping the towel around his waist. Without the shower running, the room is deafeningly silent, and there’s no way he’s not going to hear me if I move around.

  When he walks toward the sink, I can no longer see his reflection, but then a moment later he’s walking toward the door, and I breathe a sigh of relief. Then I remember I have to get out of here eventually and he’s going to see me one way or another.