Page 59 of Mountain Grump Protector

Cal stands there looking at me like he's trying to see straight through every wall I've spent years putting up. Maybe he can, because for the first time in my life, the words that I've been trying not to say don't seem nearly as terrifying as the thought of leaving them unsaid.

“I wouldn’t blame you if you sent me off the mountain to get your peace and quiet back. I would understand. I know I’m not easy. I come with baggage and an attitude and a terrible habit of getting mixed up in trouble.” I blow out a breath and force myself to continue. “You don’t owe me anything. So, if you want me to, I’ll leave.” I look up into his dark eyes, blinking back tears. “But I really hope you don’t. Because I’ve gone my whole life without feeling this way, and I think if I walk away now, I’ll never feel it again.”

I finish speaking on a sob, but I don’t have time to pull myself together before his arms are around me, my chin held between his thumb and finger as he stares deeply in my eyes. “Darling.” His voice is rough. “You’re not going anywhere.”

Cal

One minute I’m standing in front of her, listening to the woman I love tell me she’s willing to walk away and leave me to live my quiet life on the mountain in my peace, and the next, I’ve got her in my arms.

“Darling,” I murmur, my voice rough enough that I barely recognize it as my own. “You’re not going anywhere.”

And then my lips are on hers, because there’s nothing I can say to properly express to her everything I’m feeling.

There are no words to properly convey how terrified I’ve been.

Not for her safety. No. I would have torn Hatch limb from limb before he laid a finger on my girl.

I’d been terrified I’d lost her trust. That she didn’t feel she could confide in me. That I’d gotten it wrong between us. And that one bad decision and stupid mistake had managed to destroy the best thing that’s ever happened to me.

The kiss is everything I don’t have words for.

My hands slide into her hair as I pull her closer. She comes willingly, fitting into my arms like she was made just for me.

Because she was.

A sound escapes her throat as she melts into me.

God. This woman.

This stubborn, fiery, gorgeous, absolutely impossible woman.

I kiss her until neither of us can breathe, and even then, it doesn’t feel like enough.

When I finally pull back, my forehead rests on hers, and I close my eyes for a second, giving myself a moment to feel her in my arms and remind myself that she’s still here.

From the moment I set eyes on her in the Rusty Nail, I think part of me knew that this woman was going to change my life forever.

“Willow,” I say quietly. “There’s something I need to tell you.”

Her breath catches. I can see the flash of uncertainty in her eyes, like she’s bracing herself for the worst.

Something about that pisses me off, because even after everything we’ve been through, this woman has still convinced herself that somehow I could send her away, watch her walk down this mountain, and carry on without her.

Nothing could be further from the truth.

“I love you.”

The words come easier than expected. Because it’s been true for a while now. And after today, pretending otherwise feels totally impossible.

Her eyes widen, and God help me, I think she might be holding her breath, but I’m only getting started.

“I love your sassy mouth.” I brush my thumb across her bottom lip. “I love that you argue with me even when you know you’re wrong.”

A laugh escapes her. “I’m never wrong.”

“Right?” I raise a brow and shake my head, happy to see her relax.

“I love that you care too much.” My voice drops. “Even when it gets you into trouble. Even when it drives me crazy. Even when it makes me want to lock you up in the cabin to keep you safe.”