Page 2 of Her Grumpy Mountain Man

Jude nods once—then his eyes fall on the shirt lying on the table, and he reaches for it. “You kept it.”

“I needed something to start a fire.” I reach for the T-shirt, but he lifts it out of reach. Ava looks from his hand to mine, and a faint smile appears.

“Last man standing?” She leans in to read the print.

“Six of us finally found women willing to put up with us.” Jude holds the T-shirt against his chest so Ava can see the seven figures. “Madoxx is the last man still single.” He flicks the shirt toward me.

I drape the shirt over the chair. Ava looks at the lone stick man, then at me. I've faced tougher things than a brown-eyed woman smiling at a bad drawing of me, but right now, I can't think of any.

Jude's gaze moves between Ava and me, then down the hallway to the one-and-only bedroom, and his eyebrows lift.

“Don't.” I fold my arms over my chest, not ready to discuss the sleeping arrangements, especially with Ava being so skittish.

“I was going to ask about extra blankets,” Jude grins.

“There are plenty of extra blankets.” I hold his gaze until he stops grinning.

Kat steps between us and picks up her jacket. Her attention returns to Ava, and the humor fades from her face. “I don't like leaving you.”

“I don't like making you worry.” Ava rises from the chair.

“You didn't make anyone threaten you.” Kat takes one of Ava's hands in hers. “You don't have to apologize for needing us.”

“If she needs you, I’ll call,” I vow.

“Any hour.” Jude rests his hand on my shoulder and squeezes. “We'll call tonight.” He steps back, then walks to the door and opens it for Kat. They walk to the SUV, glance back once before getting in and driving away.

I watch the SUV disappear from the camera feed. I check the road once more, then lock the door. When I turn around, Ava is looking at the shirt draped over the chair.

“Are all six of them like Jude?” She touches the lone stick figure.

“Worse.”

“Poor Maddox.” She draws her hand away, but her smile stays.

Keep her safe. Don't get attached. The first part is easy—the second already feels impossible. I pick up her suitcase, trying to push down the thoughts I’m having about her—she’s my assignment, that’s all. I can’t catch feelings for her.

“There's something you should know about the sleeping arrangements.” I stop in the hallway. “One bedroom—one king-sized bed. The couch is too short to sleep on.” I wait while she processes it.

Her eyes drift toward the bedroom. “Separate blankets?”

“As much space as you want.” I keep the suitcase beside me. “Kat trusts me. You can take your time deciding whether you do.”

She looks at my face for several seconds, then nods. “I can share a bed.” She steps toward the hallway. “I just wasn't expecting that to be part of today.” I show her the room, trying not to picture tonight, when we’re both sharing the massive king-sized bed.

“The bathroom is through there if you want to take a shower before bed.” The word bed hangs in the air between us. I turn and leave the room, only to be tormented by the sound of the shower a few minutes later as I try not to picture her naked.

two

Ava

There is nowhere in this bedroom to look without seeing the bed. I put my folded pajamas in the empty drawer. My paperback goes on the nightstand, beneath a note Kat left tucked inside the cover. Something better to think about.

I'm twenty-three—a virgin. Experienced at speaking to rooms full of skeptical people, yet completely inexperienced in sharing a bed with a man who makes my heart race. I close the drawer before I can keep standing here, imagining bedtime. I rush into the bedroom, shower quickly, then join Maddox in the living room.

Maddox looks up from beside the fireplace. A deck of cards rests on the low table between two chairs that are placed close enough to the fireplace to feel its warmth but not so close to get burned—exactly how I feel about Maddox. I want to feel his warmth, but I’m afraid I’ll get burned.

“Cameras outside—none inside.” He points to the tablet on the shelf. “We'll close the curtains when it gets dark.” His gaze returns to me.