To Claim the Mountain Man

Chapter 30

ISLA

Shit! Shit! Shit!

"Oh my God," Skylar exclaimed, eyes wide and mouth gaping."Isla Mae, you'd better start talking, like, yesterday!"

My cheeks flushed so hot, I could've melted where I stood. Behind me, I was faintly aware of Heath shifting unperceptively closer to my back. I took a small step forward as a result, desperate to put a few more inches between us, as if that might be less incriminating.

Then again, my panties were on the ground at our feet. So, we were screwed.

"I- What are you doing out here?" I stammered, smoothing the wrinkles from my dress skirt.

"I was looking for you," Sky answered without missing a beat. She arched a brow, a wicked smirk on her lips. "What are you doing out here?"

"It's not what it looks like..." I tried, though the explanation deflated as soon as it left my mouth.

"Really?" Skylar drawled, crossing her arms matter-of-factly against her voluptuous chest. "Because it looks like you just got railed on the side of this truck, sister."

I choked. Kill me now.

Then again, it could've been worse. Way worse. It could've been my brother who came looking for me. Or one of Heath and Garrett's friends. At least Skylar wasn't prone to angry outbursts or overly protective streaks. She'd probably just demand that I spill details about my hook-up later.

With a groan, I cupped my hands over my face and tipped my head back.

Skylar took my silence as a confirmation, and her mouth hung open once more. This time, she shook her head. "No way. Did you actually get railed against the side of this truck?!"

"Skylar..." A deep voice rumbled just behind my shoulder. Heath had closed the distance between us again, and my skin burned where he brushed his big hand against the small of my back, comforting.

My best friend's eyes flashed to Heath, as if she'd forgotten that he was here too. "Holy fuck. Are you two, like, together?"

I groaned again, glancing anxiously toward the front door. Luckily, we were still alone out here. "Sky, please, keep your voice down. And no, we're not together. It's not like that."

Heath's fingers pressed harder against my back, and I continued.

"We're just—" I took a deep breath, mentally steeling myself against the sting that I knew this word would evoke, "Fucking. In secret."

Voicing the reality of my relationship with Heath out loud... It hurt more than I cared to admit. Like, as long as I didn't speak the words into the universe, I could go on pretending that there might be something more than just a friends-with-benefits hookup pact. But he'd been clear—so, painfully clear—about not wanting a relationship. And I knew it would hurt a hundred times more if I heard Heath say these words, so I rushed to say it for him.

"Oh really?" Skylar challenged, lifting that skeptical brow. "Is that why Heath was practically pissing on you like a territorial dog inside?"

Forcing an unbothered smile on my lips, I lifted a shoulder in a noncommittal shrug. "Seriously. It means," I faltered, just for a moment, "n-nothing."

Heath stiffened behind me, but I kept my gaze forward. Even as his hand snaked from the small of my back to rest possessively on my hip. His fingertips dug into the fleshy muscle, and I guessed there would be white marks when he moved away.

"Skylar," Heath spoke at last, addressing my best friend in a voice of icy calm. He sounded angry, and my gut twisted with nerves. Of course, he was angry.Our secret had been exposed."Will you give us a moment alone? We'll be back inside soon."