Sheltered by the Surly Forester (Wolfe Mountain Men #6)

Chapter 4

4

EMIE

H eavy boots thump in the front hallway, then I hear a long, appreciative inhalation before a voice calls out to me. "Didn't have to cook."

The commanding, almost grumpy tone is strangely intriguing. Turning around while drying my hands, I allow myself ten full seconds to openly stare at the six-foot-four hunk of brooding mountain man approaching the kitchen I've taken over.

There's something almost savage about his energy that is pushing all my buttons. He's sexy as hell, and now that I'm – somehow – in his home, I'm hoping that we can cross that invisible line and explore it.

"Of course I did! I was here all day while you were out working."

"I told you to rest."

He chuckles as I roll my eyes dramatically. I drop the dish towel on the counter and take hold of his arm to guide him to the clear half of the long dining room table that I have already set. His maps and papers are stacked somewhat neatly at the other end.

My fingers feel directly connected to my spine and lower belly as I squeeze his bicep. Wow, this guy is hot. Huge. Muscles on top of muscles, wrapped in a mountain man loner shell.

I've never hit on a guy before and have no idea how to even go about it, but if I wanted to try…oh man. Josh wavers between intense and mellow, as if he has no idea that he is the sexiest man alive. Yet he does look at me with…well, it's not pity anymore. Perhaps a flicker of fire. Maybe there's a chance that he feels this spark as well.

"Water, wine or beer?" I ask.

The corner of his lips curl up slightly. "What are you drinking?"

"If you're having wine, I'll join you. Otherwise, water."

The corners of his eyes crinkle a bit more. "Not a beer gal?"

"Only if I'm having burgers on a patio. Not with dinner."

"Wine it is."

I open a bottle of red and pour, swirling it in the glasses as I set them on the table. Then I load up the bowls and set one in front of him, along with a side plate. "I had to make do with what I could find. But I whipped up a beef, potato and carrot herb stew, plus some garlic rosemary rolls and a spinach salad."

He looks down at his plate, eyes wide. "Emie, this table has never seen such a fine meal. Thank you."

I'm touched. Sitting beside him with my own bowl, I'm thrilled when his eyes roll back in his head after he digs in. "How the hell did you get the stew so rich?" he asks.

When I giggle, he actually grins and his gorgeous eyes light up, sending a megawatt blast to my heart. "Beer in the dinner is different than drinking it with the dinner. I stole one of your dark beers from the basement fridge, hope that’s okay. I noticed you have a pool table – I bet you have some wild parties down there."

"Hardly wild. Just simple get-togethers." He takes a sip of wine, then smiles again. "If you can cook like this with barely anything to work with, what kind of party could I have if we hit the grocery store first?"

Nodding, I'm already brainstorming. "Dude food, like nachos and sliders? I could totally do that…"

His expression changes. "If you stick around for a bit, that is."

There's an implication that I can stay for some amount of time, but I'm going to have to read his energy day by day to see when time’s up. I've learned to catch the most subtle hints that tell me I've worn out my welcome, and then I always tell people I have to leave in a week or maybe less. It's easier for them to let me stay a few more days than for us to have an awkward conversation where they ask me to leave sooner.

I feel a bit like a housewife in training as I ask Josh how work went today. He explains that Old Hemlock Valley is trying to encourage more birdwatchers to the area. Apparently, there's a huge variety of birds and wildlife around here, and birders are the perfect tourists: they respect the forest, never litter, and tend to book their trips in advance, which is better for the local inn.

Finally, Josh launches into a real conversation instead of talking in his usual short, clipped sentences. I can tell that he truly loves the forest from the way he talks about regrowing sections that have been damaged by storms and planning for the future. Obviously, the forest on this part of the mountain is in very capable hands.

When the stew and salad are finished, I pull out some chocolate peanut butter dessert muffins with raspberry whipped cream. "I know, it's weird, but…again…making do."

He takes one bite, then fixes me with a stare. "Damn, girl. That's it. Tomorrow morning we're going to the grocery store to pick out whatever you want."

"Does that mean it's okay for me to stay at least three more days?" I ask cautiously. "Because there are a couple of projects that would take a bit more time. Like repainting the scuffed treads on your basement stairs, and doing a deep clean of the kitchen including all the appliances."

His hand lands on mine on top of the table. " Or you could just chill out. Get your bearings. Take a break from hopping from place to place and rest for a solid week." He frowns slightly, staring into my eyes. "I don't like that you've been running around without a permanent home, Emie. Not just physically, but I don't feel that it's good for the mind."

I get a strange sensation, as if my heart is opening and blossoming in my chest. I flip my hand over so that our palms press together.

Josh smiles. "Thank you for an incredible meal. I'll load the dishwasher. Why don't you park yourself on the couch and pick a movie?"

The cleanup will take him twice as long as it would me, but I nod. "Sure. Thanks."

I haven't checked my phone in hours, so I grab it on my way to the couch. There's a text from Katie, a friend from college.

Katie: Heya! Are you still doing the interior design and organization thing? Jennifer and I are about to rent a live/work loft space in Colorado Springs for a new venture. We'd love it if you could drop in for a month or two and help us get our new business off the ground. Let me know? Talk soon!

Josh calls out from the kitchen, "Are you looking at kitten videos, or something? That's one heck of a smile."

"No – some girls I know from school are starting a business and might need me for a few months. I don't have the details yet or anything."

Josh's expression is carefully neutral as he nods. I search until I find a comedy action movie that has great reviews. When he joins me on the giant, comfy couch, he sits closer than I might have expected, which is nice.

Twenty minutes into the movie, the wind picks up outside, bringing with it a slight chill in the air. Without a word, Josh jumps up and pulls a blanket out of the hall closet. He tosses it over me lengthwise, then wraps the end twice around my feet. "If I've learned anything from my mom and cousins, it's that women always get cold if they sit still for a while."

Once again, I feel that sensation of my heart moving strangely in my chest. Being cared for like this is both stirring up and settling my emotions.

The wind outside gets even louder, but is mostly drowned out by the henpecked hitman's wife and mother loading their respective machine guns. Josh chuckles, then casually stretches his arm across the back of the sofa to run his fingers along my shoulder. "I've always liked tough chicks." He gives me a sideways glance. "I mean, this is clearly over the top, but I do appreciate when women take care of themselves."

He pauses the movie, then turns to face me, looking serious. "But it's also okay for people to accept help and take some time to recharge."

"I've just always worked really hard. It's part of who I am."

"And I respect that, but I need you to understand something." He leans closer, his vivid, deep green eyes fixed on me. "Emie, I want you to stay here for as long as you like, even if you don't do a lick of work." A faint smile. "Okay, it's amazing to have your help in the kitchen. You're really talented. But more in a roommate way, not an earning-your-keep kind of way."

"I really love cooking. So please at least allow me to do that." We're shifting closer, as if drawn by a magnet. I cannot believe this is actually happening.

"Okay, we can fight about that later," he chuckles. Then his gaze drops to my lips. "I also want you to know that I will completely keep my distance, if you want me to. If you say no, I will never ask again." His fingers move from my shoulder to the back of my hair, stroking gently. "I know I shouldn't ask this for at least a week or so until you're better settled, but you're beautiful and sweet and I can't wait and I'm a very impatient man."

Our eyes are both flicking back and forth to each other's lips.

"May I?—"

"Yes."

The nanosecond the word leaves my lips, his mouth is on mine, my body pulled against his.

Oh my… My hands escape the blanket to clutch at him, and suddenly I'm sitting in his lap. The kiss deepens, our mouths moving slowly, gently, as we explore each other. His fingers tangle in the back of my hair, tilting my head slightly to bring my lips to his. His other palm skims along my thigh, caressing gently.

It feels like a dream. This luxurious sensation of total comfort. This feeling of connecting with a sexy mountain man who holds me as if he wants… everything . I can feel his heat. His lust. The bedroom is steps away and I can't help wondering what would happen if we ended up there.

Then I feel a deep groan rumble through his huge, hard body. Yeah, we're going to end up in the bedroom. I need to know what it would feel like to…

Josh pulls away, blinking as if just waking from a dream. "Emie." His voice is rough. "I'm sorry. Too much too soon?"

My head shakes. "Not at all."

He grins, rearranging the blanket, lifting me slightly so that my butt is on the couch and my legs are across his. His lips brush the tip of my nose, then he grabs the remote again.

We snuggle throughout the rest of the movie, taking breaks now and then for slow, sultry kisses.

When it's over, Josh takes my hand, kissing the back of it. "That's your kiss good night, Emie. Please, sleep in. We can get groceries after breakfast." A thick eyebrow raises. "Which I am going to make."

" We can fight about that later ," I giggle, parroting his earlier threat.

As I curl up in bed ten minutes later, I wonder how long is an appropriate length of time to wait before suggesting we sleep together to…you know…conserve heat.

There's no question in my mind that he is perfect for a first… My train of thought stops in its tracks. First time? First fling? First real relationship?

I have no idea what Josh might be interested in. But whatever it is, my answer is already yes.