Scarred: A Mountain Man Romance

by J. R. Ryder

  “What?”

  “You remember how I noticed that there was a file missing from my desk a few weeks ago? I told you to look for it, but it was nowhere to be found.”

  I nodded. “It was the list of stockholders for the company.” Just then, everything started to make sense. “You don’t think that she’s going to buy out the company, do you?”

  Everett didn’t respond. Instead, he took me by the hand, hoisted me back on the bike and a second later, we were peeling down the road. Since I was behind him this time around, my arms instantly wrapped his tor holding on tight.

  Everything was happening so fast that it was hard to think straight.

  A part of me refused to believe that this was happening. A takeover heist on Christmas Eve. Anyone else would be enjoying time with their family, singing carols and eating chestnuts. I waited to wake up, but it never happened.

  The wind whipped through my hair as Everett pushed the bike to fly faster and faster. I could feel my heart pound as fear wrapped around my chest. I had never ridden on a motorcycle before. My stomach twisted into a knot, threatening to make me sick. I bit the inside of my lip, trying to keep myself calm, eyes closed, head pressed against his strong shoulder. I reminded myself to keep breathing, concentrating on Everett’s smooth, musky scent. So long as we were together, nothing was going to happen – I was sure of it.

  Soon, we arrived at headquarters.

  “I want you to stay here,” Everett commanded. “I have no idea what she’s planning, but I don’t want you to get mixed up in this mess.”

  I shook my head. “Too late, she already involved me. I’m coming with you.”

  “I can’t let you do that.” He took my hands, pulling them to his chest. “I do care about you, Tanya, and I can’t bear to see you get hurt. Please, stay out of this.”

  “No.”

  He frowned. “I’m not going to change your mind, am I?”

  “Nope.”

  He ran his fingers through his hair before letting out a huff of air. “Fine, but you’re staying by my side, got it? If Nettie hired those two men to chase you, she could have hired more. She comes from a rich family. She has the money.”

  “Then, why is she trying to steal the company away from you?”

  “She’s greedy. Cruel. most of all, vindictive. I broke up with her as soon as I found out she had cheated on me. She thought she was innocent in the whole matter but as soon as you severe my trust, it’s nearly impossible to get it back. I never forgave her for what she did. She never forgave me for keeping her from the Walton fortune.”

  I listened to his words. It was all starting to make sense now. Everett had only acted so coldly toward our relationship because he was afraid of betrayal. I offered him a soft smile, locking my fingers with his. “I would never do anything to hurt you,” I promised.

  He returned the smile before leaning down to kiss the top of my head. “I know.”

  Chapter 18 (Everett)

  I didn’t want to drag Tanya into this mess, but she wasn’t leaving me with much of a choice. I tightened my grip on her hand and pulled her inside.

  Our pace was slow as we moved through the building, taking the back stairs instead of the elevator to make our arrival less obvious.

  “What do you think her plan is?” Tanya whispered, a little breathless. We had already climbed ten flights of stairs, and there were ten more to go.

  “I’m not sure, but whatever it is, I’m going to stop her.”

  “No, we’re going to stop her.”

  I smiled, glad to have her by my side. Tanya was loyal; I loved that about her. I suddenly felt silly for doubting her. I didn’t need her to sign a contract – all I needed was her love. Hopefully, we’d get out of this mess so that I’d be able to tell her – it was long overdue.

  Eventually, we reached the top floor. I opened the door ever so slightly and peered out. Just as expected, there were a couple of guards stationed outside my office. It seemed they were the same two guys that had chased Tanya. Had Nettie been dumb enough to come here so underequipped. Then again, I wouldn’t be surprised. She tended to underestimate people – including me. not this time. She was in for a very rude awakening.

  “What are you going to do?” Tanya was by my side, holding onto my arm.

  “The only thing I can do, fight.”

  “What? Are you crazy? Those men are huge. You’d get hurt.”

  “I don’t have much of a choice.”

  Tanya looked fearful. “I don’t know about this.”

  “Trust me. Just stay here. Stay out of sight.”

  Before she could protest, I had already slipped into view, holding up my arms in challenge, a smirk on my face.

  The two guards looked surprised to see me, standing there like a couple of statues.

  Casually, I rolled up my sleeves, forearms tensing in preparation. “C’mon, you know you want a piece of me.” I beckoned them forward, already in a defensive stance.

  Like a couple of bulls, they charged forward.

  Effortlessly, I sidestepped, watching one of them crash into a nearby vase. With one fluid motion, I grabbed an umbrella from the holder by the receptionist desk and bore it down on the brute’s back.

  He gasped in pain, crashing to the ground.

  His partner growled, nostrils flaring, grabbing my shirt. He yanked me right off my feet, throwing me like a rag doll. Luckily, I landed on the couch, momentarily winded. His fist came flying in my direction, but I rolled out of harm’s way just in the nick of time, clipping his feet. He stumbled but kept his balance, grabbing me by the neck and throwing me onto the coffee table, glass surface shattering into a million pieces. His grip tightened, crushing my windpipe.

  I did everything I could to stop him, but he seemed driven to end me.

  Then, just when I thought it was all over, the man toppled over. To my surprise, Tanya was standing there, holding one half of a broken keyboard. “Do you think Kelly will mind?” She asked with a giggle.

  I stared at her. What a woman.

  Quickly, I got to my feet and kissed her. “I owe you.”

  “I know.” She smiled, throwing the keyboard to the side. “Who knew I had it in me?”

  I laughed. “It’s no time for victory just yet; we still have Nettie to deal with.”

  She nodded and together we walked into my office.

  There, my ex-girlfriend groaned, slamming down on the enter key, a look of irritation painted on her face.

  “Is there something I can help you with?” I asked, my tone casual, hands in my pockets as if this was an everyday occurrence. “I do believe this office is closed for the holidays.”

  Nettie looked at me like a deer caught in headlights. “E-Everett, what are you doing here? My men… they were supposed to take care of you.”

  “You might want to hire some better help next time. Oh, wait, there won’t be a next time.”

  She gulped, stepping back. “I…”

  “ I’m feeling nice, since it’s Christmas Eve and all. Now, either I can press charges, and you’ll go to jail where the other inmates will certainly eat you alive. A pretty young blonde like you? Oh, they’ll have their fun alright. They’ll pick you to pieces, Nettie.”

  “You wouldn’t.”

  “Do you want to try me?”

  Nettie kept looking at the exit like a trapped animal.

  “ I suggest you get out of here as fast as you can. And, if I ever see you again, I will make you regret it. I won’t be the nice guy I am tonight; do you hear me?”

  She was pressed against the window at this point, eyes falling on Tanya. “Just… tell me. Why her and not me?”

  I laughed. “One word. Loyalty.” With a smile on my face, I wrapped my arm around Tanya’s waist and pulled her close. Slowly, I leaned down and gave her a quick peck on the lips just to prove my point. “She’s the only woman for me. I love her, and nothing you do or say can ever change that.”

  Chapter 19 (Tanya)

&nb
sp; What?

  Did Everett just say he loved me?

  My heart pounded.

  No.

  Why would he love someone like me?

  Still, with his arm around my waist, our bodies pressed together, I could almost feel his affection rolling off his body. Maybe it was true. Maybe he did love me after all, and there was hope for our relationship outside of a contract. That’s all I really wanted – to start a family with this man.

  “Now, scram.”

  On cue, Nettie scuttled out of the room, heels clicking against the marble floor.

  As soon she was gone, Everett turned me around, tilted my head towards him, and smiled down at me. His eyes sparkled with a newfound emotion as he slowly leaned down, our foreheads gravitating together like a couple of magnets. “I love you, Tanya.” He whispered, thumb caressing my cheek.

  My heart beat even faster.

  “I love you too, Everett.” Ah, it felt so good to say those words. Instantly, a load was lifted from my chest, and my body became weightless like I could start flying at any moment. Butterflies swirled around my stomach as our lips collided into a sweet, much-needed kiss.

  It was only after we ran out of air that we thought of pulling away, breathing hard. I grinned up at him, fingers lacing together as we stood there, forehead to forehead.

  “Merry Christmas, baby.” He whispered, kissing the side of my neck.

  “Not much of a Christmas.” I pouted.

  “Well, the night isn’t over yet. There’s still time.”

  “Time for what?”

  “You’ll see.” With a devilish smirk, he grabbed my hand, dragging me out of the room.

  ***

  We were once again on the back of his motorcycle, driving fast through the deserted streets. “Where are we going?” I yelled over the shrill wind. Even though I was wearing his jacket, I still felt a chill in my bones. I snuggled up even closer to him, soaking in his warmth.

  “You’ll see.” He answered, keeping things mysterious.

  He was definitely up to something, but what?

  We headed toward the mountains. In the distance, snow had started to fall. It was nothing more than a soft flurry, coating the ground in a thin blanket of white. The snowflakes danced in the breeze like tiny fairies.

  Everett rode further and further up the mountains until the roads turned to dirt and I had to hold onto him even tighter.

  Eventually, however, he stopped, parking his bike under a tree. From what I could tell, there was nothing to see in this part of the mountain. I wondered why he had brought me there, but before I could ask, he guided me into the forest, following a footpath that was still visible despite the snow.

  We walked for almost twenty minutes before a cute little cabin came into view.

  “Welcome to our honeymoon suite.” He announced. “I had planned to make love to you somewhere sweet and romantic, but then we both lost control after the Christmas Ball. I figured instead of wasting the reservation; we could use it tonight. What do you think?” He asked, looking at me, a hopeful expression on his face.

  “I’d love that,” I answered with a giggle.

  “Good, because I wasn’t about to take no for an answer.” Suddenly, he swept me off my feet and carried me inside. The cottage was decked with a plethora of Christmas decorations from stockings over the fireplace to a giant tree that took up most of the entryway. It was beautiful. But I didn’t have much time to admire the decorations because Everett brought me straight to the bedroom, gently laying me down.

  Carefully, he crawled on top of me, taking off my clothes piece by piece, treating me as if I were his most prized possession.

  I blushed crimson, unbuttoning his shirt, my fingertips dancing across his chest. “Mmm…” I moaned, back arching as his hand slipped between my legs, teasing my already eager entrance. I shook with desire, my pussy getting wet almost on contact. I didn’t know how he did it, but Everett had a way of turning me on like no one else could. It was almost like he had a switch he could flip that would instantly get me into the mood. I loved it.

  Leaning down, he kissed me, lips rough and passionate.

  I returned the kiss, arms wrapping around his neck, fingers tangling in his hair, pulling on it ever so slightly. He tasted so good; I wondered if I’d ever be able to get enough of him.

  Suddenly, I heard the sound of his zipper. A second later, I felt his tip against my entrance, teasing my wet folds. “Let’s make love, baby.”

  I grinned up at him. “Let’s start a family,” I added, bucking my hips into the air.

  He slipped inside of me, his bare cock feeling amazing against my velvet walls. Pleasure coursed through my veins as he pushed himself deeper and deeper inside of me until his balls were nestled against me.

  “Mmm, you’re so tight…” He mused, pausing to give us both a moment to adjust.

  I shivered, nails digging into his back, nipples growing harder with excitement. “And you’re so big…” I gasped, feeling him twitch inside of me.

  He smirked. “You like it.”

  “I love it.”

  He chuckled, a look of adoration on his face. I couldn’t believe that he actually loved me. A part of me still believed that this was all just a dream and that I would wake up at any moment. Still, I was determined to enjoy every second of our time together, savoring the feeling.

  Everett started to buck his hips in and out of my tight pussy. He was gentle with me, hands running up and down my body, taking in the curves and valleys of my body, sending a shiver down my spine. It felt so good. I never wanted him to stop.

  Soon, he picked up the pace, fucking me a little faster.

  I rolled my hips into him, my fingers clutching around the sheets for a handhold.

  As he pushed himself harder, he held onto my hips, fingers digging into my flesh. His grunts and groans turned me on, the juices flowing out of me, pooling on the bed underneath.

  “Everett…” I moaned his name, back arching, eyes rolling into my skull.

  Fuck. I didn’t know how much longer I’d be able to stand this sweet, sweet torment. He knew exactly how to touch me to drive me absolutely wild. My hormones were in full blast, cheeks aflame, pussy quivering. I was teetering right on the edge of climax, my heart beating so fast that I thought it would explode.

  “Cum for me baby…” He whispered, voice husky and unable to deny.

  My body tensed, toes curling, thighs shaking.

  All of a sudden, my world shattered with pure pleasure, juices flooding around his cock.

  He groaned, plunging as deep as he could as my pussy tightened around him like vice grip. He looked me in the eyes, our lips colliding, just as he climaxed, hot sticky cum coating my insides.

  When he was done, he collapsed on top of me, our bodies wrapping together as we cuddled in the aftermath of our intimacy. I smiled up at him, brushing a strand of hair off his forehead. “Wow…” I giggled.

  He smirked, pulling me even closer. “Best Christmas ever.”

  Epilogue (Everett)

  One year later.

  “Merry Christmas, baby.” With a smile on my face, I placed a large box in front of our 3-month-old baby. The little girl looked at the colorful wrapping paper, eyes wide with wonder.

  Behind her, Tanya held her up, a gleam in her eyes. “Go on, open it.” She prompted even though she was still too young to understand.

  Nonetheless, intrigued by the large object, she leaned forward, grabbing for it. Her sharp fingernails tore a small corner of it which I helped her undo. She giggled at the ripping nose, hands clapping together with glee.

  When I had thought up my contract idea, I initially thought I wanted a boy. He would be my heir, and I’d be the father he always wanted. now that Lilly was in my life, I knew I didn’t want it any other way. She was perfect, and I wouldn’t give her up for the world.

  “Wow! Lilly! Look! It’s a new toy!” Tanya exclaimed. “You should thank daddy with a great big sloppy kiss.” With tha
t, she picked up our baby and placed her in my arms.

  I cradled our tiny child into my chest, smiling proudly. I couldn’t believe we had brought such a beautiful little girl into the world. Gently, I ran a hand through her soft curly hair before kissing the top of her head.

  She giggled, looking up at me with her mother’s bright green eyes. I had no doubt that when she became a teenager, I’d have my hands full trying to keep the boys away. until then, I was determined to enjoy our time as a nice, happy family.