Chapter 4

Every few years there are noises about updating the old bridge, usually right after it washes out, but it"s typically only a twenty-four hour inconvenience at most.

This time, it can stay out for weeks, for all I care. My only project for the next little while is to convince Kara that I"m the man for her. That she should stay here with me forever. Even though I realize it"s not logical to have those kinds of thoughts so fast.

We load the dishwasher and hand wash a few things that won"t fit, then Kara puts on another pot of coffee. We already work well together, which makes me feel like we have great potential. But if she"s already dealing with one borderline psycho who is trying to steal her intellectual property, I need to be extremely careful that she doesn"t feel trapped with me.

I can"t make any sort of move until I get a clear sign. Which means she"ll basically need to wave a green flag right in my face. I don"t know much about women, and haven"t dated in years. Crap, I hope I"ll recognize today"s version of a green flag.

It occurs to me that my habit of pretty much avoiding people over the past several years has further damaged my already limited small talk skills. Time to push down my usual stoic, silent demeanor and force myself to be chattier.

"So, shall I check my phone again to confirm that my guys are on the lookout?"

Kara instantly looks uncomfortable. "Um. That would be two pings from your phone in the same place, though."

"Right. Okay, what do you think about going for a drive? Or maybe a walk?"

Kara brightens. "Oh! I"d love to go for a walk in the forest with somebody who actually knows the area so I know we won"t get lost."

My traitorous right hand involuntarily stretches out to stroke the back of her hand where it rests on the counter. "I hate that you were lost in the forest, Kara. Out there alone and cold, not even with a phone."

Is it just wishful thinking, or do her eyes light up when she looks at me? "I"m so lucky that you found me."

"I"m lucky too." Damn, the urge to grab her and yank her against me makes me feel like a barely in control caveman. Her perfect lips are so close to me, teasing me, demanding that I make a move?—

"Bundle up, it"s going to be chilly after the rain."

Once we get walking, it gets a lot easier to chat lightly with Kara. She tells me about her two years at university, accidentally mentioning in the process that she"s twenty-two years old. She tells me about her tiny apartment in the city where the only window opens onto the brick wall of the building next door. Obviously, that doesn"t thrill me. This sweet darling girl needs proper access to fresh outdoor air.

"It"s so magical out here!" she exclaims as we reach the crest of a hill about a mile from my house.

Looking around, the rugged terrain of the side of the mountain has always filled me with a deep sense of peace and belonging. Probably because this is what I"ve seen from every window since I was born.

Kara"s arms stretch out as she twirls slowly in a circle. "This place makes me want to start singing. It"s ridiculous. It"s like I"m high from all the fresh air."

She"s such a bright spark. For half a second, I wonder with a pang if I"m not actually the right man for her – if my relatively boring life and routines would drag her down and dim her light. Then I push the disastrous thought away.

Taking my phone out of airplane mode, I quickly flip through a handful of texts. "Nobody has seen Brad yet," I confirm. "Oh, good – Josh has given the photo to Griffin at the gas station. Most people who come through stop for gas at some point. Do you know what kind of car he drives?"

"A Silver Mercedes."

I text that info to my brother, and directly to Griffin. Then I glance at Kara with a snort. "Yeah, good luck driving that thing around the mountain roads. I doubt it could handle the potholes when?—"

"Look!" Kara points a trembling finger to a speck in the sky as the familiar buzzing rattle and chop of a helicopter coming closer.

I"m about to explain when I notice that Kara"s eyes have filled with tears, her hands clenched into shaky fists. I flick my phone back into airplane mode, drop it into my pocket, then slip an arm around her. "Let"s go."

I hurry her into the forest, under the cover of trees. Then I find one of the larger, rocky outcrops that forms a ledge that we can duck under. It"s just tall enough for me to stand up straight.

Kara is still shaking. "Come here." My arms open wide and she darts into them, twisting so that she"s between my body and the rock.

"It"s okay. I know that helicopter. I see it every three to five weeks. They do mountain photography when it"s clear out, especially the day after it rains because everything looks extra lush and green. I only brought you over here because I saw you were panicking."

Kara looks up at me, her bottom lip wobbling. "Are you sure?"

"Pretty darn positive. That chopper looked blue. News helicopters are usually black or white. All the rescue choppers around here are red and white. And I can"t think of any reason why a private plane would be up here."

"Unless…" Her bottom lip is trembling, and my thumb automatically goes to stroke it gently.

"Would Brad really spend the money on a helicopter to go after you?" I can feel her shoulders heaving as she tries to hold back her sobs.

"I didn"t tell you everything," she whispers. "Some of the art galleries Brad was setting up deals with... They"re involved with money laundering. One of his cousins has gotten in with the mafia, and they were all excited about a new method of cleaning their money. Apparently it"s one of the easiest ways to do it."

Well, shit. Holding her tightly against me, I stroke her back gently. The chopper gets louder, then the noise fades away to nothing. "Hear that? A search plane would go in circles. They went straight across."

Kara dabs at her eyes with her sleeve, then looks up at me sheepishly. "I"m sorry. You must think I"m completely paranoid."

I tip up her chin with my finger. "Not at all. I swore that I would keep you safe, and part of that includes making you feel comfortable any time something startles you. Okay?" The soft smile that blooms across her lips almost makes me feel dizzy. Damn, she"s so beautiful it"s hard to think straight.

"You ducked under the trees even though you knew the helicopter had nothing to do with me? You"re a really decent guy, Jace."

My head shakes automatically. "Ask anyone in town, beautiful. I"m a grumpy loner who grumbles every time I find clueless idiots on the trails, and doesn"t keep in touch with his family enough."

"Well, you"re a really decent guy to me."

My head is already dipping lower. "Does a decent guy steal a kiss from a gorgeous girl who is terrified and rattled?"

My heart stops until she nods. "I think so. Distraction technique, right?"

I don"t even care if she"s teasing. Her gorgeously curvaceous body fits against me perfectly as I hold her closer, her firm round breasts pressed against my chest. Our lips meet softly, and she lets out a tiny sigh. As we melt together, the kiss takes on a life of its own.

The taste of her lush lips fills me with raw, unbridled lust. It tears through me, sending sharp images into my mind. Images of Kara"s legs spread as I lick her softest skin, watching her fall apart. Of her eyes wide as she comes for me. Of her soft body covered by my large frame as I take her slowly and gently.

I feel transported. Squeezing her close, our kiss deepens even more, her mouth opening for mine as I explore her softness. Every little gasp, every slight moan, makes my entire body feel harder. Stronger. I"m determined to use this newfound strength to protect this lovely girl in any way I can.

And somehow, I"m going to convince her that here with me on my mountain is the safest place for her.

Permanently.