“You can’t do that. It would be assault.” But even as the words come out of my mouth, my insides flood with heat.
“I can do whatever I want. This is my mountain.”
My jaw drops. His mountain? Is he one of the Gallant brothers? So why does he think I’m a trespasser?
“You’re lying. I got permission from the owners of the mountain to be here. If you take me back to my camp, I will prove it.” Why is he being so unreasonable? I barely stop myself from kicking him. Except, I know it won’t go well for me if I do.
“We’re going to my cabin. Then we’ll see whether you’re telling the truth or not. You’d better hope you’re not lying.”
Gee, that’s not ominous at all. He wouldn’t really hurt me, would he? I don’t know anything about this man. I don’t understand why I’m not scared of him. I should be. It’s too weird. Like, I drove up the mountain yesterday and entered some kind of alternate universe with sexy mountain men who chase and kidnap women before taking them home. But then what? Frack.
“I can hear you thinking. Whatever you’re planning, forget it, or you will end up with a sore ass.”
three
Asher
She’s shocked. I can tell by the way she stiffened against me. Truth be told, I am too. I don’t know why I threatened to spank her, but damn if I don’t love the idea of seeing my handprint on her pale skin. This isn’t the path I should be traveling. Even if she’s breaking the law, as I suspect she is, it’s the sheriff’s job to enforce it. Once he does, she’ll be gone and that will be it.
Except she feels perfect in my arms and smells like spring rain. My cock’s been getting harder since I picked her up. None of it makes sense. I can’t even remember the last time I wanted a woman. Solitude is all I need, that and my brothers.
I need to rein it in. I have to get answers. Starting with who she is.
“What’s your name, little one?”
“Why are you calling me little one?” I struggle to hide my smirk at how offended she sounds.
“What should I call you? You haven’t told me your name yet.”
“I’m Emma. Emma Kincaid. And I’m not little, I’m twenty-five.”
Why does her name sound familiar? Have I heard it before? For the life of me, I can’t remember. “You’re little to me.”
She sighs. “True. But I don’t think that’s how you mean it. You’re going to be sorry when you realize you’re making a big mistake. Huge, even.”
“I doubt it. I belong here. You don’t. I’ve been removing trespassers for years. It’s insane that none of you can read signs for private property.”
“I keep telling you, I’m allowed to be here. If you’d listened to me and taken me to my tent, this would have been resolved already. Instead, you’re being a stubborn fartknocker.”
“Did you just call me a fartknocker?” I can barely hold back a chuckle. She’s serious, and honestly, I'm surprised she hasn’t kicked me yet.
“I did. What of it?”
Emma is the most entertaining trespasser I’ve come across. Smart, too. I’d probably believe her too if Andrew didn't always tell me when anyone received permission to be up here.
“It’s cute and surprised me. No one’s ever called me that.”
“I’m surprised they haven’t if you treat everyone like you are me. So far, you nearly scared the poop out of me when you chased me, then you yelled, didn’t listen to me, now you’re dragging me off to your lair.”
“My lair, huh? Interesting word choice. It’s actually a very nice log cabin. I built it myself. You’ll see it soon. We’re almost there.”
“That’s not the point, is it? I’m here to study the Mountain sweet pitcher plant for my doctoral thesis. I have permission to be here for two weeks, and I’ve only been here for two days. But you won’t to listen to me.”
Emma’s not wrong. Not that I intended for her to get hurt. If what she says is true, I’ll owe her an apology, and I’m going to give Andrew a load of shit. Either way, I need to make sure she’s okay.
“If I’m wrong, I’ll apologize. But you’re injured and need tending.”
“Again, it wouldn’t have happened if you hadn’t acted like a growly bear. Hence the reason you’re a fartknocker.”
