The Haunting of the Mountain (Mountain Men of Whispering Winds #9)

9. Kyla

Chapter 9

Kyla

I can’t stop smiling.

It’s not my fault. It’s the naked mountain man sleeping soundly next to me. He’s making me grin from ear to ear. Making me toy with his chest hair. Making me envision a future of exploring every inch of this mountain with him, searching for cryptids and ghosts, wild berries and waterfalls. I’d be happy doing anything so long as it’s with him.

I never thought I’d want to live this far away from civilization but I can’t imagine a world without Stone by my side.

I allow myself a few more quiet moments, stroking his chest as I listen to his rhythmic breathing. I’ve never been so calm and relaxed.

And well, sore.

But this is the kind of sore I can get behind. Last night was unforgettable. My time with Stone has been unforgettable. But it’s running out.

My stomach sours and bile rises in my throat as my fingers stop moving against Stone’s chest. Is this all we have? I don’t want to believe it. I know Stone wants me. He loves me. And I love him. But am I living in a fantasy world where this could work?

I sigh, pulling away and then slipping out from under the covers. Shivering, I pad into the bathroom and turn on the shower. I need to rinse off these bad thoughts. Of course, it will work.

We’ll make it work.

I peek at the bedroom door over my laptop. I’m smiling again, and again, it’s all Stone’s fault. He makes me so happy. My insides flutter and my body reacts whenever I’m in the same room as him. And when he touches me? Ungh.

But I played a little trick on him. I couldn’t help myself. Payback… I can’t wait to see his face, and the rest of him, when he finally wakes up. If he wakes up. I’ve been waiting for what feels like hours for that man to stir. He had plenty of stamina last. But I guess he’s spent.

I sink back in my chair, remembering last night. He made good on his promise. I can’t think of a single part of me he didn’t taste. From head to toe, that man’s tongue was all over me. Inside me too.

My nipples tighten as I cross my legs, everything heating up and pulsing. Stone doesn’t even have to be around to turn me on. I cup my breast, rolling my hard bud between my fingers as I slouch, opening my legs as I slide my hand lower. But my computer dings and I groan

Probably for the best. I’d prefer Stone to take care of me. Or have him order me to take care of myself. Hairs stand on the back of my neck. I loved how he took control last night. Commanding me. Using me. I thought my first time was going to be awkward but it was anything but. It was like our bodies were meant for each other. Everything felt natural and easy, much like all of our interactions.

I feel safe and comfortable around him. Loved and desired. And I’ll do whatever I can to preserve that.

Me: It finished transferring. I’ll let you know…

Nell: DON’T LEAVE ME HANGING

I filled Nell in on what happened at the library. She’s convinced there’s something on the tape because my battery shouldn’t have died so quickly. I’m doubtful, but I figured I might as well check. I’m hoping Vernon makes an appearance because our audience won’t believe a guy like him exists without evidence

I hit play, and it doesn’t take long to watch the segment. Unfortunately, my camera wasn’t pointed at Vernon, but I think I caught something else. Right before the book slams on the cabinet, I swear I hear a cat meow. I’ve replayed the clip about a half dozen times and each time I hear a cat that wasn’t there.

I’m in the middle of typing out a response to Nell when Stone screams, “Ah, fuck!”

The rest of Stone’s words are impossible to understand, but I can picture him. The floor shakes as he rolls out of the bed onto the ground. And then again when I think he trips over something and lets out a few more curses. I’m biting my lip as I stare at the door, waiting for it to swing open and I can— ho-ly hell.

The door swings open, slamming against the wall but that’s not the only thing swinging. Stone is naked. Not a shred of clothing on that man as he rushes out of the bedroom, staring over his shoulder as his arms keep pumping. I can’t keep my eyes off that… his penis. There’s no sugarcoating it, I’m staring at his massive, swinging cock and balls and?—

“Look out!” I screech.

Stone knocks into the couch and somersaults over it, slamming his legs into the coffee table and splintering it down the middle.

Okay, now I feel bad. No, scratch that. I feel awful. It was supposed to be a silly prank. A little something to make us even. I didn’t want to hurt Stone. Scare, sure. Terrify, possibly. But hurt? Hellllll no.

I rush to my feet, heading over to help him, but my foot snags the charging cord for my laptop, and it sends me and my laptop flying. I can’t save either of us. The laptop crashes to the ground, and I’m hopping, skipping, and sliding across the floor as I try fruitlessly to maintain my balance.

It feels like I’m moving in slow motion as I lock eyes with Stone. And then with his cock, which is surprisingly stiff, and then back to his eyes as I reach for the armchair, misjudge the distance, and then fall onto the floor, knocking the wind out of me.

“ Urghleh hrpl mah.”

I don’t even know what I was trying to say, but it’s the best I can do as air refuses to fill my lungs. Karma, karma, karma. Teach me to pull a prank ever again, even though I wasn’t the one who started it.

Stone laughs and I glance over at him. He’s buck naked, wedged between the broken coffee table and the couch, arms outstretched. If I didn’t know any better it seems like he’s having a great time relaxing.

“Are you okay?” Stone asks when he finally calms himself.

“Herhm fahhn,” I choke out, coughing. I roll over and then begin to crawl towards him which sends him into another laughing fit.

“Please, Kyla. Just stop moving. I’ll get you.”

“I… can… do it.”

And I am doing it. Whatever it is. I’m crawling like a sloth, inch by inch over to Stone to make sure he’s okay. At least, that was the plan until I found myself here.

Stone stands up, and I look up.

Did his cock get bigger? It must be the angle, but I’m pretty sure I could use it to pull myself up off the ground. I might try if he gets close enough. Instead, he kneels next to me and then strokes my head.

“Did you do that?” he asks, jerking his head back to the bedroom. “The corn doll.”

I can finally breathe again, but I’m running into a different problem. Stone’s naked body is mixing up my thoughts. It takes me a few moments, but I fess up. Yes, I pretended to burn the doll last night. Yes, I grabbed it out of the wood stove when he wasn’t looking, and yes, I tucked it in next to him after I woke up.

Stone snorts. “Is this our thing now? Hiding corn dolls in weird places.”

“No. It’s not our thing. It’s not a thing.” I pause. “Maybe it is.” We hold each other’s gaze for a few moments before we both say, “No.”

“Guess we’re even now,” Stone says. “Scared the shit out of me.”

I laugh. “Good. Now you know how I felt.”

He reaches for me and strokes my cheek. My entire body erupts in tingles. God, I love how my body reacts to him.

“I made you breakfast.”

“Yeah?”

“Mhmm. It’s not even burnt”

He chuckles softly.

“Hey, that’s quite the accomplishment for me.”

He tunnels his fingers into my hair. “Well, it’s going to have to wait.”

“Why’s that?”

“Because I’m craving dessert.”

His lips crash against mine, and my body melts against his as he hooks an arm around me and slides me closer. His cock drills against my thigh as his tongue slips past my lips, kissing me like it’s our first time. Like we’ve been apart and have kissed in ages. It’s all-consuming, and I think I might go back on my word. Corn dolls could be our thing if it leads to a kiss like this. I moan against his lips, savoring his taste and the way his hands control me.

“Missed you,” he rasps against my lips.

I smile. “Yeah?”

“Been too long since I’ve tasted you.”

“Well, I’m here. And I’m not going anywhere.”

He swallows, eyes flaring. “You mean.”

I nod. “I want to be with you, Stone. There’s no one else. There will never be anyone else. I don’t want to live without you.”

“Kyla,” Stone rasps, planting kisses all over my face. “I want you. I need you. And I want to spend the rest of my life with you.”

Is… did he propose? I don’t see a ring but I don’t care. I want Stone and he wants me. That’s all that matters.

“I love you,” he says.

“I love you too.”

And then he kisses me again. Deeply. Madly. The way a man should kiss the woman he loves.

And there’s no question in my mind about how he feels. Stone might have an exterior like his namesake, but he lays it all out for me. He wears his heart on his sleeve, handing it over to me without a second thought. I’ll carry it with me. Keep it safe. Because it’s the most precious thing in the world. Stone’s love for me. And mine for him.