To Claim the Mountain Man

Chapter 14

HEATH

This was wrong.

I knew it was wrong. A complete breach of her family's trust. Crossing every invisible line that had been drawn over the decades that I'd known this girl.

But, fuck, I didn't care.

Not when Isla sucked in a sharp breath, her pale pink lips cracking open. Her doe-like eyes widened, their glossy surface shimmering from the light of the lantern in my hand. So damn sweet. So innocent.

So intoxicating.

"Is that why you brought me out here? To claim me?" she questioned, a tremble in her voice. Isla inched closer, tilting her chin up to hold my gaze in a silent challenge, as if willing me to heed my own words.

Long honey waves spilled over her shoulders and down her back, revealing the long column of her throat. Her milky skin practically glowed, and I wondered what it might taste like. What sounds she would make while I sucked and nipped at the sensitive flesh...

"Actually," I managed, tampering down the desire pumping through my veins. "I brought you here to talk."

Her brows scrunched together, and she eyed me with trepidation. "We seem to be doing a lot of that."

I chuckled. "You're an impatient little thing."

In truth, her eagerness made an unfamiliar warmth spread through my chest. Plenty of women had pursued me for sex, but I read their excitement as desperation. Isla was different. Male satisfaction curled deep in my body at the knowledge that this woman wanted me. That she'd chosenme.

"One more conversation," I promised, "then, you'll be able to fuck me."

"Heath!" Her head whipped back and forth, scanning the surrounding shadows as if terrified that someone might've heard me.

My shoulders shook with laughter as I set the camping lantern on the ground by the dock. "Don't worry, we're the only one's out here, sweetheart."

I could picture the lovely blush staining her cheeks, but I didn't have to imagine the scowl she leveled at me. Even in the darkness, her glower burned into my skin, but Isla couldn't intimidate a bunny rabbit if she wanted to. She looked fuckin' adorable.

"We need to set some ground rules," I continued, offering her my hand.

"Ground rules?" she echoed, hesitating for one moment before slipping her fingers through mine.

I led her along the old wooden dock, the planks creaking beneath our weight. On the side furthest from the shore, the structure became unstable due to rotten wood, so I brought her to a halt midway. Releasing Isla's hand, I spread the thick blanket on the ground beneath us.

Taking Isla's hand again, I pulled her down until we sat opposite each other on the blanket. The lantern's light barely reached us, casting an orange across one side of her features. She stared at me expectantly, tucking her legs beneath her.

"We need to outline boundaries, Isla. Expectations," I explained, bending one knee and propping an elbow on it.

I hadn't stopped thinking about this arrangement since the moment she waltzed back over to her cabin yesterday. I wanted her—the way any man would want a beautiful young woman. But I also felt an overbearing need to keep her safe, to ensure that she remained in control throughout the entire relationship. That meant following rules.

She nodded slowly, as if allowing the suggestion to wash over her. She fidgeted, her fingers tugging on a spare string on her shorts. "Okay... What sort of boundaries?"