Mara

My hands clenched the wheel tighter as my small car careened around another curve on the icy mountain road. How the weather could be this bad in early fall, I didn’t know. My heart raced in my chest, and my gaze shot to the rearview mirror. Still alone. If they were following me, I didn’t see them. Even Sebastian’s men wouldn’t be dumb enough to drive these roads as fast as I was taking them, would they? They were New Yorkers, though, and would be used to bad driving conditions. I, however, was a California girl and hadn’t had much experience driving on icy and snow-covered roads.

Something darted across the road, and I reflexively hit the brakes. My car fishtailed, then started to slide. A scream tore from my throat as the small compact crashed through the railing and down the side of the mountain. The crunch of metal made my heart beat faster, and I wondered if I was about to die. Glass exploded into the car as it bounced against the mountainside. My head slammed into the steering wheel more than once, and black dots swam across my vision.

The car landed upside down at the bottom of the craggy cliff. My harsh breathing filled the air as I tried to focus. I was dazed and hung limply from the seat belt, my hands brushing the roof of the car. Blood trickled into my hair and more ran down my arm. I groaned, feeling battered and bruised, but thankful to be alive. I didn’t know how long I hung there… minutes… hours… but the crunch of snow alerted me to another presence. I hoped like hell it wasn’t Sebastian or his men. I’d rather die than see them.

A gruff voice cursed, one I didn’t recognize.

“Hello?” I called out, my voice weaker than usual. “Help. Please, help me.”

For a moment, I wondered if I should have kept quiet. Just because I didn’t recognize the man outside my car, didn’t mean he wouldn’t hurt me. I didn’t know everyone in Sebastian’s employ, and there were monsters out in the world other than the man who wanted to claim me. As if I’d ever let him touch me!

Denim-clad legs came into view with massive feet encased in brown boots. The man dropped to one knee, his gloved hand braced in the snow as he peered into what was left of my car. Blue eyes met mine, and my breath stilled. Fine lines fanned from the corners, and his nose looked like it had been broken at some point. But that was all I could see of the man. His face was covered in a beard, and the parts of his hair not covered by a hat spilled around his face, looking as if it hadn’t seen a brush today.

“Don’t move,” he said.

Something about that voice, dark and commanding, sent a chill down my spine. Not in a bad way, though. Something about that voice made me want to obey. The man rose to his feet, and his hands closed around the door of my car, or what was left of it. The metal groaned as he ripped the door off and flung it away. My mouth dropped at the brute strength on display. How strong exactly did you have to be to rip off a car door? I’d never seen anything like it.

His hands, now bare, reached for me. The seat belt wouldn’t release, and he reached into his pocket, withdrawing a knife. He easily sliced through the belt. I fell to the top of the car, and hands far gentler than I’d have expected, pulled me from the wreckage. As the man stood, lifting me as if I were no more than a child, I realized that the hunk of man who had helped me was way taller than my first impression. And much, much broader.

“My bag,” I said softly.

He grunted and eased me down. I wobbled a moment, my hand braced on his wide chest. When I got my footing, he released me long enough to pull my bag from the front seat. It didn’t have much in it, but wherever I was going, I would need the things inside. The man slung the bag over his shoulder before lifting me once more, then we were off, striding through the knee-deep snow. Or rather, he was walking through knee-deep snow.

“I’m Mara,” I said. “Mara O’Malley.”

His gaze flicked down to mine. “Rocky.”

I waited, but no last name was forthcoming, and I wasn’t going to press him for it. He didn’t have to pull me from that car. He could have left me for the wildlife to find, or to freeze to death and not be found until spring when everything thawed out.

Snow began to fall in thick gusts, and soon I couldn’t see in front of my face. The man holding me trudged forward, through the ever-thickening snow, not stopping, not even slowing down. I didn’t know how long we walked, but soon I saw a structure come into view. No. A cabin. There was a wide porch across the front and a large stack of wood near the door. Another pile of wood peeked around the corner of the house with a tarp over the top.

Rocky clomped up the steps and pushed open the front door. The crackle of a fire welcomed us, and I moaned as the warmth from inside the house licked at my skin. I was frozen everywhere. He eased me down onto the bearskin rug in front of the fireplace and pulled a blanket from the couch, wrapping it around my shoulders.

My teeth chattered with such force I thought they might break, and I trembled from head to toe. I watched the mesmerizing flames as Rocky stepped away. I heard him trudging upstairs, only to return a few minutes later with two thick pairs of wool socks, some sweatpants, and a flannel shirt clutched in his massive hands. He crouched in front of me and slowly removed my shoes and socks.

I let out a squeak when he reached for the top of my jeggings and began sliding them down my legs. Too stunned to do much but stare, I didn’t protest as he pulled the blanket from my shoulders and removed my coat and sweater. Even though his gaze didn’t stray anywhere for too long, I felt exposed. No one had ever seen me in my underwear before, and I knew I should say something. Then again, he probably didn’t like women with as much meat on their bones as I had. My thighs were thick and jiggled when I walked, my ass should probably have been assigned its own zip code. And while my breasts were large and sometimes drew male attention, they weren’t big enough to make my rounded stomach look any smaller.

His gaze roamed my body before he rose to his feet and disappeared again, leaving me mostly naked in front of the fire. When he returned, there was a wet rag clutched in one hand and a tube of ointment in the other. Rocky crouched in front of me again, gently wiping the blood from my body. I winced as he applied the ointment to my cuts. There was one on my forehead and another near my collarbone, and my arm was dotted with smaller cuts from the broken glass. He sat back on his heels and studied me again, his gaze caressing every inch of my body. Did he like what he saw?

Rocky grunted, then rose to his feet, carrying the ointment and rag with him. He came back a moment later, kneeling in front of me again. My mouth opened and no words came out as the gruff man in front of me slid the flannel shirt up my arms and quickly began fastening it. When he was finished, he pulled the sweats up my legs, rolling the waist and ankles a few times, then put both pairs of socks on my feet. His gaze met my startled one. I hadn’t had someone dress me since I was a small child, but the feel of his hands against my skin felt anything but parental. Warmth suffused me, and I began to tingle for a reason other than being cold.

“I’ll wash and dry your clothes,” he said, rising to his feet and leaving me in front of the toasty fire once more, my discarded clothes clutched in his hands.

I didn’t know what to think of my rescuer. He was a man of few words, but despite his size, I didn’t feel afraid of him. I should. I was alone, in the middle of nowhere, with a huge man I knew nothing about. But his eyes… the way he looked at me made me feel small and precious, as if he would keep me safe always. It was crazy. Maybe I was crazy.

But whatever the mountain man wanted from me, whatever he tried to take, wouldn’t be any worse than what I faced if Sebastian got his hands on me. I’d rather go through anything other than that. Rocky might not be the type of man I was used to being around, but at least he didn’t have the eyes of a killer. His gaze was warm, and for the first time in my life, I wasn’t worried about what tomorrow would bring.

Rocky returned a short while later, a steaming mug in his hands.

“Coffee,” he said, although it came out more like a grunt.

I accepted the cup, the warmth of it seeping into my chilled fingers, and took a sip. Despite the bitter taste, I didn’t wince. I’d always been more of a caramel skinny latte kind of girl, but the hot coffee slid down my throat and began to warm me from the inside out. Rocky watched me a few minutes before walking off again, his boots thudding against the wood floors.

When the coffee was gone, I set the cup aside and tried to push myself to my feet. I groaned, and the room spun as I staggered upright. As everything began to tilt and I felt myself falling back to the floor, strong arms wrapped around me, drawing my body tight against my rescuer. Rocky’s hands splayed across my back, and I couldn’t remember ever feeling so delicate. I was small in stature at just a hair over five feet, but I had more curves than most. Men had called me chunky most of my life. But with Rocky, I felt… feminine. Womanly. I felt…

The warmth that began to spread through me made me gasp and jerk my gaze to his face. Something hard and thick pressed against my belly. I might not be experienced, but even I couldn’t deny that Rocky seemed attracted to me. Or maybe he hadn’t had a woman in so long that just anyone would do. I saw his eyes flare a moment before he lifted me into his arms and began striding for the stairs.

I clung to him, not knowing where we were going, but suspecting it was his bedroom. I should tell him to return me to the fire, tell him I didn’t want this.

But you do, a voice whispered in my ear.

And I did. I’ve never found a man attractive before, not like this. But with Rocky’s arms holding me, I wanted to know what it would feel like to be pressed against him, skin to skin. I wanted to feel him slide inside me, claim me, and make me his. I wanted to feel that beard rub against my skin. I wanted… him. I briefly wondered what kind of woman that made me since I’d crashed down a damn mountain and now wanted to have sex with my hunky rescuer. Maybe I’d suffered head trauma.

The stairs ended at a large room with no door. The bed against the wall looked far bigger than a regular king-size, the covers rumpled. Rocky carried me across the room and eased me down onto the soft mattress, then pulled the covers up to my chin. He paused a moment before turning to the fireplace across the room. Wood was stacked nearby, and he began building a fire. Watching his muscular back and shoulders move was starting another kind of fire too. One I had never felt before. I pressed my thighs together to ease the ache.

When the blaze was glowing brightly, Rocky rose to his feet and studied me. There was heat in his gaze, and I wondered if I was finally going to find out what it was like to have a man claim me. I’d held onto my virginity for so long, never had been tempted to lose it. Until now.

“Dinner will be ready in an hour. You should rest,” he said gruffly before turning and leaving me alone.

My jaw dropped at his retreating back, and when I heard the last of his steps carrying him down the stairs, I slumped against his pillows and drew in a deep breath. My eyes closed as his scent surrounded me. Something woodsy and full of spice. Curling onto my side, I buried my face in his pillow and just breathed him in. Whoever the strange man was who had pulled me from the car, it was obvious he wasn’t going to take advantage. And for some reason, that disappointed me.

“Stupid woman,” I muttered. I felt the tingle between my legs and moaned. “And stupid hormones.”

Of all times to finally get turned on by a guy, it was now. With a man who didn’t seem to want to touch me, despite the fact he was obviously hard. I bit my lip as my hands skimmed over my breasts. My nipples were hard, and my body was more than ready for him to come back up here and take me. I slid a hand down my belly and under the waistband of the sweatpants he’d put on me. My hand dipped inside my panties, over my mound, until I felt the slickness.

My eyes shut, and I moaned softly as I stroked my clit. I spread my legs a little farther, pretending that Rocky was here, watching me, wanting me. I squeezed my nipple while I toyed with my pussy. It didn’t take long before I was coming, grinding my teeth to keep from crying out. The room spun for a moment as I breathed heavily. As my heart slowed, I pulled my hand from my panties and huffed out an aggravated breath. Even after finding that quick release, I drifted but never really fell asleep. I eventually heard him coming back up the stairs, and my eyes opened as he drew near.

“Dinner’s ready,” he said.

Before I could move, the covers were yanked from my body, and he was reaching for me. Rocky drew me tight against his chest, his arms braced under my back and legs, and carried me downstairs. I didn’t know if he didn’t trust me not to fall, or if this was more of a caveman thing. We crossed through the living room and into the kitchen. There was a square table with four chairs, and he nudged one out from the table with his foot before settling me on the seat.

Rocky turned to the counter and grabbed two plates steaming with meat and veggies. He set them down, then turned again to retrieve the silverware and two glasses of water. His chair groaned as he sank onto it.

“Thank you,” I said softly.

My cheeks flushed as I stood up and went to the sink to wash my hands, remembering just what I’d been doing upstairs. When I sat back down, I picked up my fork and took a bite.

I didn’t know what the meat was, and I wasn’t about to ask. A man living alone in the mountains? It was likely something he’d hunted and killed himself. If I was eating Bambi, I didn’t want to know, but it was well-flavored, the seasonings bursting on my tongue. The veggies were covered in butter and were the best I’d ever tasted.

“It’s really good,” I said, a small smile tugging at my lips.

He watched me as he ate but didn’t say anything. The amount of food he’d given me was insane, but somehow, I managed to finish all of it. When I was done, I picked up my plate and went to stand. His hand shot out, curling around my wrist and keeping me seated.

“I’ll wash them,” he said. “Sit.”

I nodded and released the plate.

Rocky didn’t remove his hand until he seemed certain I wouldn’t move, then he finished his food and stood. Grabbing both plates, he carried them to the sink and ran some water. I didn’t know if I should try talking to him or let him work in peace. He seemed to be a man of few words. But then, living up here, I doubted he had company all that often.

“How far are we from my car?” I asked.

“Few hours walk.”

It hadn’t seemed that far at the time.

“And by car?” I asked.

He glanced at me over his shoulder, his brows lowered. I heard the clank of a dish in the sink, then he was drying his hands and turning to face me. His hands braced on either side of him on the counter, and he waited.

“If someone sees my car, can they find me here?” I asked. If there was even a chance that Sebastian would come here, I needed to know. The last thing I wanted was for that man to find me.

“Not easily, and with all this snow it would be a while before they could reach us.”

My shoulders sagged with relief. “Then I’m safe,” I said in a near whisper.

“Safe from what?” he asked.

“Not what.” I licked my lips. “Who.”

He didn’t move, didn’t blink, and I knew he wanted me to say more. I supposed I owed him that. He had saved me, after all, and was taking care of me.

“My mother married Carl Rossi three years ago. I was only sixteen and still in high school, and no matter how much I tried to talk her out of it, she was adamant.”

“Why?” he asked.

“Because we were poor,” I said. “And my mother wanted a better life. The Rossis are rich, far richer than anything we’ve ever known. She didn’t care about the rumors, she only saw dollar signs. They’d been dating for a long time, and I guess he finally popped the question.”

“And your dad?”

Pain pierced my heart. “Killed in action. He was a Marine. My parents were never married, so my mom didn’t receive any benefits from the military when he died. We had to move out of the apartment he’d rented for us.”

“When?” he asked, his voice tight.

“Ten years ago,” I said softly. “He was part of an elite team. He wouldn’t say more than that about it, but I know he was sent on special missions. One of them didn’t go according to plan.”

Something flashed across his face, but it was gone so fast I thought I’d imagined it. Guilt. I couldn’t imagine what Rocky would have to feel guilty about. My dad had died so long ago, and there was no way this hunk of mountain man had anything to do with it.

“Why are you running from the Rossis?” he asked.

“Because my stepbrother, Sebastian, has never made it a secret that he wants me. And now he’s decided he’s going to have me, whether I’m willing or not. He broke into my room and…” My lip trembled.

“Did he hurt you?” Rocky asked gruffly.

“He tried.” My gaze met his. “I had an old knife that had belonged to my dad and I started sleeping with it at night, the more persistent Sebastian became. I didn’t feel safe in that house. When he started tearing my nightgown from my body, I grabbed the knife and stabbed him with it.”

He grunted, but I thought it was in approval of my actions.

“I’d been thinking about running and had packed a bag the previous week. I snatched some clothes and shoes, grabbed my bag, and ran. I hid in the house long enough to dress and see if they were looking for me, then I snuck out to my car.”

“And ended up crashing on my mountain,” he said.

“Yes.”

Rocky watched me a few minutes, then turned to finish the dishes.

“You should go get warm by the fire,” he said.

Knowing I’d been dismissed, I stood on shaky legs and left the kitchen. I collapsed onto the couch near the fire in the living room and stared into the flames. I didn’t know what had happened, but I knew my mountain man was thinking hard. Probably wondering if I was worth having under his roof if the Rossi family was looking for me. No one wanted to make an enemy of them. I had my suspicions they were involved in criminal activity, but I’d never seen proof.

With a sigh, I curled into the arm of the couch and wondered what I’d do if he threw me out. With no car, there was only so far I could go. And I knew that I’d be caught, and then there would be hell to pay. Sebastian might have wanted to claim my body before, but now he’d be after so much more. I knew the price for stabbing him and running would be steep, far steeper than I ever wanted to pay.