Mountain Boss: Mountain Men Series Book One
Mountain Boss: Chapter 6

Her teeth press into her lower lip before she straightens her shoulders. “I’m not threatening you. Just pointing out you can’t fire me just because I’m a woman.”

Irritation layers on top of my frustration. Because she’s not wrong. “You can’t⁠—”

“I can take care of myself.” She talks over me. “I can sleep in the, uh, Bunk House, or whatever you called it. But if you’re that worried about them, you know, doing something, then maybe you should fire them instead of me.”

I grind my teeth. “I’m not worried about them doing something. I’m worried about the distraction you would cause by being around.” I’m trying to keep my voice down. I saw Cook and Fisher earlier. Saw them veer off to go around behind my house. And since the workday is over and they have no reason to head that way, I’m sure they’re hiding behind some corner, trying to overhear this conversation.

We don’t get many pretty ladies randomly showing up by themselves.

Even if they don’t know who she is, she’s still the most interesting thing to happen all day.

“I won’t be a distraction,” the woman promises.

That’s the most untrue statement I’ve ever heard.

She’s being a literal distraction to my workers as we speak.

She’ll be disruptive.

Enticing.

Alluring.

And I’d sooner smash my hand into a tailgate than put her in that cabin with five messy, stinky men.

“I’m qualified,” she continues. “I’m a hard worker. And I’ve signed my paperwork to start tomorrow.”

If it wouldn’t look absurd, I’d figure out a way to kick myself right now.

This is what I get for delegating a hire for the first time ever.

Yes, I posted the job. Sifted through the handful of applicants. And sent my top three to Marty.

From there, I told him to interview and hire his replacement.

But for whatever fucking reason, Courtney appeared on the application as Court.

Maybe it got cut off. Maybe it was a typo. Maybe she did it on purpose. Either way, that was the name I sent to Marty.

But he interviewed her.

Or at least he said he did.

I draw in a sharp breath through my nose, nostrils flaring. Because ultimately, if I hadn’t been such a sulky bitch about getting a new maintenance person, I might’ve taken the time to look at the final contract and seen her full name.

And it’s my company. My responsibility.

Still, Marty is getting an earful from me.

But since I don’t want to get fucking sued this week, I guess I’m hiring my first female employee.

I release the hold I have on her arm and step back.

“Fine,” I grit out.

Her shirt strains as she takes a deep breath. “Fine, I can stay?”

I nod as I try to shove the memory of her hands against my bare skin out of my mind.

The moment I saw her, this creature named Courtney, I wanted her.

I secretly hoped she was lost and that this was going to turn into some X-rated Hallmark in the woods scene.

But no. Now I need to be professional.

I need to keep my hands off her.

I need to keep my dick in my pants.

And I need to make her quit.