Chapter 10
CHAPTER TEN
Madison
T he way Maverick kisses me as if he needs me to breathe almost breaks me. But my mind is made up. I refuse to be a burden to anyone.
Gasping for breath, I pull back. “Okay,” I say. “I think maybe I will have some breakfast.”
“Now?”
The bulge in his jeans tells me he has other ideas, and the moment he touched my wrist, my body was completely on board with those plans.
I never could have expected that it was possible to react so intensely and quickly to a man before.
But as much as I’d like to have Maverick take me into the tent and give me a repeat of what happened last night, I can’t forget the way he left me and the cold way he looked at me when I emerged from the tent.
One time was amazing. But as much as I wish I could be the type of person to have a meaningless affair with a stranger, I’m not. For some reason, I’m already developing feelings for this man, and I hardly know him. Logically, I know it doesn’t make any sense. But it doesn’t have to.
I steel myself against what I really want and say, “Yes. Suddenly I’m really hungry. Would you mind making me some fresh eggs?”
Maverick takes a step back and assesses me. His eyes are dark with desire and I’m so close to giving in when he says, “Of course. You need to eat.” He bends to pick up the pan and shakes his head in disgust. “I’ll just pop down to the river and give this a rinse.” He looks like he’s going to say something else, but after a moment he grunts, turns, and walks away.
I’ve spent my entire life being left by other people. The more I care, the more it hurts.
I won’t let that happen this time.
Moving quickly, I grab my day pack that holds my notebook, a snack and my water bottle, and head to the path at the far end of the clearing. I just need a little space to think. If I stay here with Maverick, I know exactly how it will end.
My pussy throbs with the thought of what I’m giving up but I can’t let it happen again. I’m already falling for him; if we have sex again, it’s only going to make me fall harder.
And when he inevitably walks out of my life, my heart will break into a million pieces. I need to protect myself.
Luna whines as I step out of the clearing, but instead of turning back, I break into a run.
Maverick
I take my time at the river scrubbing at the burnt pan, more determined than ever to put that beautiful smile back on Madi’s face. I don’t know what the hell I’m doing, but that kiss felt like a really good step in the right direction.
Maybe I haven’t screwed everything up after all.
I’ve never been good at communicating, preferring to hide in the woods than deal with anything. It’s never mattered before.
Until now.
Until Madi.
While I scrub at the pan, I think about how I can convince her that I want her to stay. That I want her—no, I need her. That she belongs with me. Here on the mountain.
There has to be a way to tell her that without scaring the hell out of her.
For the first time in my life, I wish I’d learned some communication skills.
I’ll figure it out. I have to, because it’s becoming very clear to me that this girl is meant to be mine.
I’ve already taken longer than I should have at the river, so I give the pan one final rinse before returning to camp to make my doll the best breakfast feast she’s ever had. After all, she’s going to need her strength for what I have in mind for us.
“How do you like your eggs, doll?”
I step into our campsite and realize I’m talking to myself.
“Madi?”
The hair on the back of my neck stands up. I drop the pan and run to the tent, but I know before I’ve unzipped it that she’s not there.
“Madi!”
My yell echoes off the mountains, but there is no answering call.
Nothing.
She’s gone.
Madison
I don’t know how long I’ve been hiking.
When I stopped running, I pulled out my map and compass and used them to find one of the trails I’d marked out. I still don’t have a plan beyond putting distance between me and Maverick, but with any luck, something will come to me before it gets dark.
I know I can’t stay out in the woods by myself. I also know that leaving camp without telling him where I was going is stupid and reckless, but nothing in my brain is working properly.
All I can think of is how it felt to have his big hands on me. The way he so skillfully gave me pleasure I didn’t even know I was capable of with only his fingers. And then of course his massive dick.
Just thinking about having Maverick inside me causes something low in my belly to tighten and moisture to pool between my legs.
I rub my thighs together as I hike, but it only stokes my desire.
This man has driven me completely to distraction and he’s not even here with me. I’m so turned on by the memory of last night, I need to stop walking for a few minutes. It’s probably time for a break anyway.
At least that’s the excuse I give myself as I settle on the ground, using a giant log as a backrest, and close my eyes to the memory of Maverick looking deeply into my eyes while he pushed his giant girth into my tight passage inch by slow inch until I was completely full.
I hardly even notice the groan that slips from my lips as I reach between my legs in an effort to release the buildup of tension.
If I focus hard enough, I can picture my sexy mountain man with his chiseled hard body pushing my legs wide. Now, he’s palming my breast, scraping my sensitive skin with his rough hand and pinching my nipple until I cry out.
“Oh, Mav.” With my eyes still closed, I try to replicate the way he was touching me, rubbing at my clit until I feel the pressure build.
I know my orgasm is close when I hear the snap of a branch.
My eyes fly open, and I hear the growl at the same time I see the wolf.
“Luna?”
But it’s not the friendly wolf-dog. This wolf is bigger. Much bigger. And beautiful. Silver eyes, surrounded by thick grey and white fur, stare at me.
My heart races. I can’t believe I let my guard down in the middle of the forest. I know better. I just need to stay calm. Slowly, I hold up my hands and speak in a low, gentle voice. “Hi there, you beautiful boy. I’m not going to hurt you.”
The wolf growls again and pulls his lips back to show his massive and very sharp canines.
“Okay,” I say. “You probably weren’t expecting me today. I’m sorry if I startled you or intruded on your territory.” I work hard to keep my voice controlled and calm.
It’s beyond thrilling to see a timber wolf up close. But it’s also terrifying. As much as I love these creatures and want to learn more about them so I can help the conservation efforts, I’m not stupid.
I understand how dangerous they are.
The wolf assesses me for a moment. His head turns to one side, as if he’s trying to figure out who or what I am.
“It’s okay.” I push back on the log and try to get to my feet. But the second I move, the wolf growls and lunges toward me.
A scream rips from the back of my throat as another flash of silver fur flies through the air and collides with the massive wolf.
Luna.