Redeeming Her Mountain Man by Cameron Hart

**I’m right on the edge, the fire licking at my core, the sweet burn singing my nerves. Another deep stroke, another, one more, one more…**

GUNNAR:
All I want is to live a quiet life in my cabin. I have a solid job, a sister who loves me, and a best friend I would do anything for. I’m just trying to be a better man, get back the years I lost when I was being stupid and selfish. But then I found my little pixie, all curled up in the back of a truck I was working on. Her hood fell back, revealing indigo eyes, lily-white skin, and hair as black as midnight. She was other-worldly. Fey and feral. Fierce and fragile. I’ll never forget looking into her impossibly beautiful eyes. And seeing the absolute terror there. I swear I could feel the jagged edges of her soul puncturing my heart the longer I looked at her. I may have wanted a quiet life of penance, but now I know my purpose is to protect her. She just might be my redemption.

FINLEY:
Soft sheets. Warm bed. Smells like cedar and smoke. I’m not thirsty. Not hungry. Not cold. Not running, running, running.
“I’m not going to hurt you,” he said. I believe him.
“I just want to take care of you,” he told me. I want that too.
He said I’m safe. He said I’m going to be ok. Gunnar. Blue eyes. Chocolate hair. Warm smile. He’s beautiful. I’m broken. I haven’t spoken in over a year. But somehow, he hears me. He just might be my salvation.