Protected by the Mountain Man (Whiskey Mountain #2)

Chapter Four

Scott

I feel Ava’s walls pulsing around my finger, her clit still in my mouth, and I think this might be what heaven feels like. She is the perfect woman, so willing and eager for each new touch, it makes me hard to even look at her.

I can feel myself grinding into the bed, moments away from bursting in my underwear like a teenager, but I can’t bring myself to stop. Of course I’ve been with other women before, but none of them ever made me feel like this .

I’m overwhelmed by how much I want her, how much pleasure her pleasure has brought me.

“Oh my god,” Ava gasps out as the last waves of her orgasm begin to dissipate. I rise, laying myself down beside her. “That was incredible,” she says, turning towards me and I pull her against my chest.

“ You were incredible, honey,” I say, planting a kiss on the crown of her head. “Best pussy I’ve ever tasted.” She turns red at that and I can’t help but laugh.

“Do you… do you want me to help you with that?” she asks, eyeing my still rock-hard cock.

“No, tonight was all about you, honey. There will be plenty of time for me later. Let me get you cleaned up.”

I lay her gently back against the pillows before rising and heading to the bathroom, shutting the door behind me as I turn the faucet on. I splash cool water all over myself, hoping it will calm me down enough to lay down next to Ava for the rest of the night. This is a major test of my self-control, but I have the rest of my life to fuck her into oblivion.

Tonight was about making her comfortable, showing her how good we can be together. And I think it’s working.

I take a few more breaths before switching the faucet to warm water, grabbing a cloth from the shelf beside the sink and dampening it before heading back to my delectable woman in the other room.

I lean over her before spreading her legs, pink pussy still glistening with the aftermath of her release. I bet she will look even better filled with me. All in good time.

I drag the warm washcloth through her folds, giving extra attention to her most sensitive spots. She relaxes at my touch and I’m glad to see that she’s growing more comfortable with each moment we spend together.

I toss the cloth into the hamper beside her bed and crawl back in beside her, pulling her into my side once again. I can see how heavy-lidded her hazel eyes have become, and I suddenly feel like I could sleep soundly beside her, too. A rarity for me. Ever since I got back from Afghanistan, I’ve had trouble sleeping through the night. But something about Ava makes me feel like a restful night is possible.

“Sleep, honey,” I say, running my hand through her waves. “I’m gonna be right here, all night long.”

“I’d like that,” she says softly before curling deeper into me. I listen as her breathing steadies and feel myself drifting off beside her.

What feels like only a few moments, but what must be hours later, I’m awoken by Ava gasping next to me. I hear her sit up, breathing fast and shallow like something horrible must have happened. I sit up next to her and see tears pooled in her eyes. I am filled with fear, unsure of what could’ve happened to make her react this way.

“I’m sorry,” she says through near sobs. “I get nightmares… ever since the fire. That I left the stove on and burned my childhood home to the ground, lit a candle and set my greenhouse on fire. It’s silly and irrational, but I can’t seem to shake them.”

I’m instantly filled with sympathy for this beautiful, brilliant woman. “I know the feeling,” I say, reaching out to rub circles on her back to calm her down. “I know I told you I was in the military. But with my deployments, I saw some horrible things. People blown apart, children left orphans, horrible, horrible injuries that still keep me up at night. I get nightmares too,” I finish, feeling a sense of relief at getting that off my chest.

“I’ve found that making sure I’m relaxed before bed, that I’ve done something for myself, really helps ease them. I was actually worried I was going to get one here with you tonight, but I think you’ve helped calm me,” I continue, meeting her eyes. Tears still well, but they’re beginning to melt away.

“Really?” she asks, reaching out her hand and twining her fingers through mine. The gesture makes me smile, like it was natural to her.

“Really. Is there anything I can do to calm you down?” I ask, not wanting to be pushy but wanting her to be the peaceful woman I fell asleep beside more than anything.

“Can you just talk to me? I know this is going to sound bad, but knowing I’m not the only one who experiences this kind of…”

“PTSD,” I fill in for her. “It’s perfectly reasonable for you to feel this way, honey. I was there, that fire would have haunted me for life too. But you’re not alone now. I’m here with you.”

“Thank you, Scott. For opening up to me, for being so patient with me tonight. I don’t know what I did to deserve you,” she leans back, hand still tangled in mine and I roll on my side next to her, placing gentle strokes down her neck, hoping to calm her nervous system.

“I don’t open up to a lot of people,” I say, “but with you, Ave, it’s easy.” She smiles at the easy use of the nickname.

“Same for me, Scotty,” she says, and I melt at the name.

I keep talking, telling her about growing up in the next town over, about always wanting to move to Cedar Ridge, and finally having the chance when I got out of the military. I tell her about the veteran’s group and becoming fast friends with Ethan, about opening up the brewery and running around like a mad scientist for a year trying to find out the best blends for our beers and ciders. I talk until my voice is hoarse and she’s long asleep, but getting the words out feels so good. So right with her beside me.

Eventually, I fade off again, content next to the woman of my dreams.

***

The smell of cinnamon eases me awake. I crack open my eyes to see Ava pulling a pan out of the oven. She’s wrapped in a soft green robe that stops just above her knees, her chestnut hair piled in a messy bun on top of her head. She places the pan on top of the stove and turns towards me, smiling when she sees I’m awake.

“Those smell amazing,” I say, rubbing at my eyes. “Get over here, honey.”

She follows directions, laying on the bed beside me before I pull her on top of me. “How are you feeling?” I ask, looping my arms around her.

“Much better. I slept like a baby after we talked. Thank you for that,” she says, planting a quick kiss on my lips. I pat her ass in acknowledgement. “How are you? Did you sleep okay?”

“Best sleep I’ve had in years,” I say. “What did you bake?”

“Cinnamon rolls. My mom’s recipe, she always used to make them on our first morning back in Cedar Ridge, so it felt fitting,” she says with a smile.

“I can’t wait to taste one. But first, I need to taste you again.” I quickly roll us so she’s below me and she lets out a yelp that lets me know she’s having fun, no longer the scared woman who woke up in the middle of the night. I want to see more of this carefree Ava, and I know just how to get it.

I untie her robe, breaking into a wicked grin when I see she is completely naked beneath it. I run a finger through her center, “Ready for me already?” I say, winking up at her. She turns red, embarrassed at her immediate arousal.

“Hey, never, ever be ashamed of being turned on,” I say, gripping her chin so she has to look at me. “It’s natural. And it makes me happy that it’s all for me.”

I plant a fierce kiss on her lips, prying her mouth open with my tongue and devouring her. Our tongues mingle and I’m struck again by how right this feels, how desperately I need her. How desperately I’ll always need her.

I lower myself to her core before swirling her clit with my tongue, taking long, languishing strokes like I’m enjoying an ice cream on a hot summer’s day. She’s better than the best ice cream I’ve ever had.

Slowly, I push a finger into her tight core and feel her walls squeeze around me. I know she’s never done this before, but I think it’s time to get her ready for all of me. “I’m going to add another, honey. It might hurt at first, but just trust me, okay?”

She nods, looking apprehensive, but eager for more. She lets out a small gasp as I slide two digits back inside of her, swirling and curling them as I learn where all of her most sensitive spots are.

“I—I’ve never finished this way before,” she says and that only strengthens my resolve. I up my pace, pushing in and out of her until I’m sure I’m hitting that spot, the one that will leave her speechless. I lower my mouth back to her sensitive bud and add the lightest taps, hoping to drive her over the edge.

“Oh, Scott, oh my god,” she says as I feel her walls contracting around my hand. It only makes me go harder, driving every ounce of pleasure from her that I can. She rides out her high and I waste no time licking up every last drop of her release. The best thing I’ve ever tasted , I think again.

She looks flushed, but I still see a fierce hunger in her eyes. “You think you’re ready for more?” I ask, before lowering my mouth to hers once again. I move to her neck before she answers, a whispered “Yes,” filling my ears. Nervous, but sure of what we are about to do.

“I’ll be gentle with you, Ave. I promise. But you should know, once we do this, this is it. You’re mine . Forever.” The words should scare her, they should scare me, but I know that they’re true. She’s mine and I’ll be damned if anyone else ever gets to have her like this—torn apart and ready, just for me.

“I’m yours,” she says, eyes going wide as I stand and peel off my boxer briefs. “Don’t worry, honey, we’ll make it fit,” I say. I run a hand up and down my shaft, coating myself in precum and making sure I’m ready for her.

I know I won’t last long, this woman has driven me to the absolute edge, but I want to make this time, her first time, good for her. I sit back on the bed and roll her on top of me, wanting to warm her up before we begin. Her hips hover over mine.

“Don’t be afraid. Just feel me, feel what is going inside of you,” I say, stroking her hair before reaching a hand between her legs and strumming her clit, going lower and feeling that she’s still wet and ready.

“Okay,” she whispers. I remove my hand and she moves, straddling my thighs, my dick bobbing between us. She reaches out a tentative hand and strokes me, and just this touch makes me feel like I’ve died and gone to heaven.

Maybe I have.