Mountain Boss: Mountain Men Series Book One
Mountain Boss: Chapter 45

“Fucking hell.” I clench my jaw and change direction.

I managed to avoid Courtney all of yesterday and was hoping to do the same again today. But this girl…

I stalk up behind her.

She has a ladder propped up against the front of one of the guest cabins, and she’s reaching up with a rag to clear the spiderwebs and dust off the light bulb above the door.

It’s a task off the list I gave her. Clean outdoor light fixtures. But the bottom of the ladder is on the top landing of the stairs and only a foot away from the top step.

If she falls…

My insides twist at the thought.

If she fell…

If I witnessed her fall…

I lengthen my steps.

She removes one foot from the rung so she can stretch up even farther.

I see a wobble.

In one stride, I’m up the three steps.

She lets out a sound of worry as she puts her foot back in place. Then she lets out a cry of surprise when I wrap my arms around her waist.

She’s partway up the ladder, and with our height difference, that puts her ass at my chest.

I haul her against me, pulling her feet off the rung.

“What…?” She turns her head to see who’s touching her. “Sterling?”

I squeeze her tighter.

It’s the first time I’ve heard my name on her lips.

And fuck me, it’s affecting my pulse just as much as her ass is.

“What are you doing?” Her voice is breathy, and I can picture her saying those exact words as I peel her clothes off.

“Saving you from yourself.” I try and fail to not sound angry.

Her legs move, and without looking, I know she’s trying to get her feet back on the rungs.

I take a step back.

She lets out a squeak of fear, pulling the top of the ladder close to her body and away from the wall.

“Let go,” I snap.

Her braids swing as she looks to the ladder in her hands, then back over her shoulder. “I’ll fall.”

“No, you won’t.” I slide one of my arms farther up her body until my forearm is just touching the underside of her tits. “Let. Go.”

“But—”

“Courtney,” I growl. “Do as you’re told.”

I slipped up and used her full name, but it gets the needed results.

She lets go, and the ladder thuds back against the wall.

Her hands fly down to my arm—one of her hands gripping my elbow, the other hand wrapping around my fingers against her side.

“Put me down,” she pants.

I’m going to.

I have to.

But I hold her against me for a moment longer than necessary before I slide her down my body.

Her ass drags down my stomach.

Over the waistband of my jeans.

Lower.

She’s still gripping me with her little hands.

And when her ass slides down against my cock, I feel her breath hitch.

I feel her body tense.

And I feel her fingers tighten on my arm.

I don’t press my hips forward.

I don’t have to.

She feels it.

Feels me.

And as twisted as it is… I revel in it.

That’s right, Cookie. Feel what you do to me.

Feel what I have hidden for you.

Think about it tonight when you’re in bed alone.

Before I lower her the rest of the way, I lean my head forward, placing my lips near her ear and my nose against her hair. “Be more careful, Miss Kern. Those things are dangerous.”

Her puffed exhale makes my dick twitch.

Before I can make any more ill-advised decisions, I lower her the rest of the way.