Scarred: A Mountain Man Romance

by J. R. Ryder

  “You don’t have to do that.”

  “I want to.” He kissed the top of my head. “I want you to feel special.”

  “I do feel special.”

  “Good, then I’m doing my job.” He took my hand in his, lacing our fingers together. He walked toward the employee entrance so I wouldn’t have to struggle to keep up. “Just let me know if it becomes too much for you at any point.”

  “I will.”

  “Promise?”

  “Promise.”

  Once again, he kissed the top of my head and ran his fingers through my hair this time. He lingered there a moment like he was scared to let me go but eventually he pulled his wallet out of his pocket and grabbed his ID card, sliding it through the reader.

  “I’m surprised you don’t have some high-tech fingerprint scanner or something.”

  “A key-card system is much easier to implement, especially with a high volume of employees. Due to the nature of the job, some people do not stay with us for very long. If we were to log everyone’s fingerprint, it would just be one giant hassle. Besides, there aren’t a lot of people trying to hack into electrical companies. I’ve made my methods known to the public, there would be very little worth stealing.”

  “You know, it’s very impressive that you built this empire by yourself,” I said, stepping into the elevator with him.

  As soon as the door closed, my heart started to beat a little bit faster. I imagined him pressing me up against the wall. He’d kiss me hard, hands roaming all over my body, getting me all warmed up and ready to go. Then, he’d bring us to his office, bend me over the desk, and just have his way with me.

  I knew it was just a fantasy, especially given what I had gone through. Maybe one day it would become a reality but that day wasn’t today. I sighed inwardly, listening to Jasper explain various parts of his business.

  It was all very fascinating but for the most part, it was all stuff I had heard before. Sometimes, I think he forgot that I now worked for him. Still, he was on such a roll, that I didn’t want to disturb his train of thought.

  Ding.

  Eventually, we arrived at the top floor. “Most of this building is pretty boring but I think you might like this.”

  Together, we walked down a long hallway that seemed to disappear into infinity. I followed him, eager to find out what he wanted to show me.

  At the end of the hall, we stood in front of a large, wooden door with golden letters spelling out ‘Kilroy.’

  “Is this your office?” I asked.

  “It used to be. I used to spend all day cooped up in this room, barely talking to anyone and feeling miserable the entire time. I was suffocating.”

  “Well, now you work from home, in your pajamas, with me.”

  “Exactly.” He grinned. “And, I much prefer it that way.”

  “Me too.” I agreed. “I’m actually glad I started working for you.”

  “Don’t you miss being a detective?”

  “I do and I don’t.”

  “What do you mean?” He asked while searching through his keys for the right one. “Sorry, I have a million of these things. I should really throw some of them out. This one here was to my first ever apartment.”

  “Why do you still have it?”

  “Can’t bear to throw it away.”

  “I know what you mean. Some things are just hard to let go of.”

  “Anyway, tell me what you mean.”

  “Oh, right. Well, I miss the detective work. Finding all the clues and piecing everything together like one giant puzzle, that was always my favorite part. chasing the bad guys and pulling my life in danger, I can do without.”

  He nodded. “I’m glad. I would have worried about you. Not to say I wouldn’t support you in whatever you did, I just have more peace of mind knowing you’re safe and sound with me.”

  “I know. And, maybe one day I’ll want to go back but for now, I’m content with the way things are.”

  “Good.”

  Finally, he found the right key. He pushed it into the lock and turned it. As soon as he opened the door, I couldn’t help myself from gasping.

  His office was stunning. It was everything I expected in a billion-dollar office. Dominating the room was a large, wooden desk, freshly polished with a new coat of polish. A golden nameplate stood center stage on that desk.

  In the middle of the wood were a couple of luxurious leather sofas and a glass coffee table. Overhead hung a crystal chandelier that sparkled in the dying light.

  “Wow…”

  “Oh, trust me, this isn’t what I wanted to show you.” He tugged me forward, straight for the windows.

  From there, we could see everything. The skyline, outlined by the setting sun. All the tiny people moving from place to place on the sidewalks below. The birds flying from skyscraper to skyscraper.

  “It’s beautiful…” I whispered, trying to take a mental picture of the view. “If I had an office like this… I feel like I would never leave.”

  “When you have an office like this, you forget to admire the view.”

  Chapter 40 (Jasper)

  I came up behind Mandy and gently wrapped my arms around her tor being extra careful not to hurt her.

  She smiled back at me, leaning her head on my shoulder. “Let’s just stay like this for a little while. Just you and me and the view.”

  “I’d like that.” I murmured, slowly trailing my lips along the side of her neck.

  She shivered, leaning even further into my body.

  I held her a little tighter, breathing in her intoxicating scent. “You’re beautiful.”

  “Please. I just got out of the hospital. I look like a mess.”

  “You still look beautiful.”

  “You’re just saying that.”

  “No. I genuinely think you’re the most beautiful girl I’ve ever laid eyes on.”

  Her blush darkened. “Jasper… You’re going to turn me into a tomato…”

  “Maybe that’s exactly what I’m trying to do.”

  “Well, stop it.”

  “Why should I? This is too much fun.” I chuckled. “Besides, you can’t hate me for telling the truth. You have a lovely smile. Your eyes are gorgeous. Your skin flawless. Everything about you has this elegant charm to it. The more I look at you the harder I fall for you.”

  She was blushing so hard that even the tips of her ears had turned red.

  “Should I continue?”

  “No.” She mumbled.

  “You’re cute.” I kissed her nose and smiled.

  “Do you really think all those things?”

  “Yes. Do you not believe me?”

  “No… I do. It’s just after dating Keith, my self-esteem isn’t the highest thing in the world.”

  I turned her around and held her by the shoulders so she’d look at me. “Mandy, whatever Keith said or did to you when you two were dating is meaningless. We both know he is a crook. All he wanted to do was hurt you. He never loved you.”

  “I know… but when you hear someone say something about you so many times, you sort of start to believe it.”

  “Then, I guess I’m going to have to call you beautiful every single day until you start to believe me.”

  “You’re not going to let this go?”

  “Of course not. It’s my job to make my girlfriend feel beautiful.”

  “Well, I can say, without a doubt, that I’ve never felt this good about myself. The way you look at me, it makes me feel like I’m the only girl you’ll ever have eyes for.”

  “That’s because it’s true. I love you and only you.”

  ***

  After leaving HQs, we headed for my old estate. Even though I no longer lived there, I still kept it employed in case I ever got the crazy whim to return to that place.

  While I drove up the driveway, Mandy had this awed expression on her face. She leaned forward, nearly hitting her head on the windshield. “You used to live here…?”

  “At
one point, yes.”

  “But it’s so big.”

  I nodded. “Too big. You can get lost in there.”

  “With your sense of direction, I can only imagine.”

  “Hey, I’m not that bad.” I protested. “I got us lost in the hospital but that’s it.”

  “The parking lot too.”

  “Okay, the parking lot too, but that’s it.”

  “So long as we don’t get lost in your own home.”

  “How about we get lost in the sheets instead?”

  Mandy looked like she was about to moan. She fidgeted in her seat, spreading her legs ever so slightly.

  I smirked to myself, knowing how much she wanted me. It was written all over her face. For a moment, I contemplated whether I should give it to her here or if I should make her wait until we returned to the cottage. I didn’t want to make her wait that long. After all, she deserved a little treat after spending fourteen days at the hospital.

  When I pulled up the garage, it opened automatically. I slipped inside with ease. As soon as I turned off the engine, I turned toward my girlfriend, laced my fingers into her hair, and pulled her into a passion-filled kiss.

  Her lips eagerly matched the movements of mine. We melted into one another before her lips parted, allowing my tongue entrance into her mouth. Once inside, it tangled with hers, fighting for dominance. When I pulled away, I bit her bottom lip, tugging on it gently.

  She looked at me, already breathless. “Please tell me that we’re actually going to have some fun and you’re not just going to tease me the entire night.”

  “Don’t worry, I plan to make up for lost time.”

  Her eyes widened. Before she could say something, I got out of my seat and rounded the car so I could open her door.

  She stepped out.

  As soon as she on her feet, I gently placed my hands on her hips and pulled her in for another kiss.

  I could tell by the way that she kissed me that she was hungry for more. Even her body pleaded for it. Her hips were rocking against mine and her cheeks were becoming flushed.

  “How bad do you want it, baby?” I grabbed her ass, squeezing hard.

  “So bad…”

  “But you know, I have to be careful with you. I don’t want to hurt you.”

  “We can go slow.”

  “All night long?” I asked, raising an eyebrow in question as I swayed slowly with her. “I can take my time with you, build you up to the point of insanity before finally giving you the sweet orgasmic pleasure you’ve been craving.”

  “Mmm. Stop talking.” She kissed me and ran her hands up and down my back, trying to prompt me into action.

  I grinned into the kiss as my fingers tangled in her hair, pulling on it slightly. With her head tilted back, I kissed her exposed neck, letting my tongue graze against her sensitive skin, knowing exactly where she liked the attention.

  “That’s it, baby girl, moan for me.”

  Chapter 41 (Mandy)

  Jasper’s touch electrified me. The feeling of his lips against my neck sent a shiver running down my spine. I tilted my head back, exposing it even further.

  He attacked the hollow of my neck, sucking on it, teeth nipping at my skin as he pushed me against the side of the car.

  Gently, he placed his hand underneath my shirt, letting his fingertips dance along my curves.

  “Mmm.” I held onto his arms, my body already surging with pleasure. “Jasper, that feels so good.”

  “Do you like that?” He whispered in my ear, voice husky and sexy as fuck. “You want more, don’t you?”

  “So much more.” I tightened my grip on his arms, pushing myself close to his body. “I want every inch of you.”

  “Every inch, hmm? That’s quite the appetite.”

  “What can I say when I have a boyfriend like you?”

  “Well, who am I to make you wait?” All of a sudden, he picked me up, wrapping my legs around his waist.

  I smiled, feeling my excitement growing with each passing minute. “Where are you going to take me?” I asked.

  “Oh, you’ll see.” Supporting me with one hand, he used the other to open the door to the mansion. As soon as we stepped into the luxurious mansion, it felt like I was entering a whole new world.

  Everything seemed to sparkle with an air of elegance from the chandeliers down to the crown moldings. Try as I might to keep the expression of awe from my face, I could tell that I looked like an idiot, staring at everything with doe eyes.

  Jasper didn’t even hesitate as he carried me up the spiral staircase. Even that was impressive with its marble steps and jet-black railing. Everything looked like it had just been polished.

  “Don’t tell me you’re falling in love with this place,” Jasper grumbled underneath his breath, a look of doubt flashing across his face.

  “It’s just… different. I’ve never really seen something like this before. I mean it's not every day that you get to step inside a mansion – let alone get carried through one like a princess.”

  Jasper chuckled. “Just don’t get used to it. We’re only here for a little pit stop. Something to quench our desires.” He said with a wink.

  I blushed. “You shouldn’t say things like that.”

  “Why not?”

  “You might get me in the mood…” I whispered, gently nibbling his earlobe.

  “Oh, honey, I think you’ve been in the mood for a while now. I can tell when you’re feeling frisky.”

  “You can?”

  “Mhm.” He chuckled. “It’s quite cute.”

  I blushed even harder. “It’s not that obvious, is it?”

  “Don’t worry. I like it.” As he spoke, he squeezed my ass, making me moan even so slightly.

  Soon enough, we reached the end of the hall. He kicked open the last door, revealing an impressive bedroom. It was well coordinated with dark furniture and light-colored hardwood running throughout. Tasteful pieces of furniture hung from the walls. Warm light radiated from the lamps posted at the corners.

  “Is this your room?”

  “It used to be.”

  “It’s very cozy.”

  “As every bedroom should be.” He said with a smile. “This is where you should be able to relax and unwind. All your troubles should melt away at the door. Only, I always brought my work in here.” He pointed to a nearby desk. “I used to stay there for hours and just tear at my hair, trying to figure out the next big move for the company. Even if there was a beautiful girl in my bed, I barely paid attention to her.”

  “Wait… girls in your bed?” I gave him an accusatory glance.

  “Well, I’m just being honest with you. There were girls before you.”

  “Any of them serious?” I asked, starting to feel the pang of jealousy running through my spine, heading straight for my heart, tightening like a vice. I didn’t want to picture Jasper with other women. While I knew it was likely he had slept with others, I just hadn’t dwelled on the idea, knowing it would hurt to think about.

  “No. They were always frivolous flings.”

  I breathed a sigh of relief.

  “You’re the first girl that I’ve truly opened my heart to.”

  “Really?”

  He nodded. “I can tell that you love me for who I am and not for the money I’ve made. All the other girls, they only wanted all the luxuries I could afford them.” He shook his head. “But I don’t want to talk about my past life with you. Not now.” Gently, Jasper placed me on the bed, taking the utmost care to make sure I was comfortable.

  I looked up at him and our eyes locked. My heart felt like it skipped a beat. It didn’t matter what laid in our past, all that mattered was that we had each other.

  He gradually got on top of me. “Let me know if I hurt you, okay? I’ll try to be as gentle as possible.”

  “Okay.” I wrapped my arms around his neck, tangling my fingers in his hair.

  Piece by piece, he started to take off my clothes. Soon, they went flying acr
oss the room, dangling from various pieces of furniture. It didn’t take long before I was completely naked and at his mercy.