Property Of The Mountain Man (Montana Mountain Men Book 1)

My alarm seems to go off the moment I close my eyes, and I roll out of bed still half asleep. The annoyance I felt after talking with Beau last night followed me into my dreams, and as I blink my eyes open, I’m still irrationally angry with him.

In some hidden vat of hope in my heart, I’d thought that maybe he came to the coffee shop to see me, but his little speech last night officially ruined that ridiculous illusion I’d crafted for myself. The only reason he was there was as a favor to my brother, because even though I’m twenty-one, apparently, I can’t be trusted to look after myself.

Stomping into the bathroom, I wash my face and clean my teeth, pulling my hair up into a messy bun on top of my head. I dress in a soft, black jersey skirt that ends mid-thigh, with black pantyhose covering my legs, and my usual Wake Up and Go Go t-shirt, knotted at the back on my waist to give me at least some semblance of a shape beneath the tent of a shirt.

Padding out to the kitchen, I turn on the oven to preheat and mix a quick batch of scones, putting them in the oven while I throw the ingredients for a rich, cheesy mac and cheese into the crock pot and set the timer to turn on a few hours before dinner. It’s not exactly gourmet, but who doesn’t love mac and cheese. By the time Dad enters the kitchen, I’m pulling the scones from the oven and tipping them onto the cooling rack.

“Coffee, Bonbon?” he asks, pulling down two mugs before I even reply.

“Thanks,” I say, grabbing a hot scone and breaking it in half before taking a big bite. The heat immediately burns my tongue and I fan at my mouth, pushing the cakey dough around my mouth as I chew.

“You never could wait for them to cool,” Dad says with a chuckle, adding creamer to my coffee before placing it down in front of me.

“They taste so good straight out the oven,” I say, taking another bite.

“You feelin’ better this morning?” he asks.

“I’m fine.”

“Want to talk about it?” he asks me casually as he sips his coffee.

Sighing, I shrug. “Not really. I found out Caleb asked one of his buddies to keep an eye on me at work. I don’t know why he can’t just accept that I’m an adult. I know he’ll always see me as his baby sister, but he sent Beau to babysit me and it just sucks,” I tell my dad.

“Beau? Beau Barnett?” he asks.

I nod.

“Caleb and Beau aren’t buddies, sweetheart.”

“What?”

“I don’t think your brother and Beau have said more the two words to each other since they left high school. If Beau told you he was keeping an eye on you for your brother, he was lying to you.”

“He didn’t tell me that,” I say confused. “I just assumed it. He comes in every morning in time for me to open the shop, then he stays and waits while I close up on a night time. He said something last night about it not being safe for me to close up on my own. He sounded so much like Caleb that I assumed he’d asked him to watch me,” I say thoughtfully.

“You know what they say about assumptions,” Dad says with a smirk.

“Yeah yeah,” I laugh, rolling my eyes playfully at him. “I gotta get to work, fingers crossed Owen might actually turn up for once today.”

“Fingers crossed,” Dad says warmly.

Kissing him on the cheek, I grab my purse, slide my feet into my favourite pair of cowboy boots, and head out the door, thoroughly confused.

Climbing into my car, I start the engine and turn up the heat, the fall morning’s crisp and cold as I traverse my way down the mountain and into town. Wake Up and Go Go is one of the first stores to open on a morning, with a couple of the local diners starting breakfast at seven for the early morning hikers. I love the way the empty streets seem silent and lifeless at this time of the day. In a couple of hours, they’ll be a hive of activity with people milling in and out of the shops and restaurants.

Inhaling slowly, I try to process what my dad said. Caleb and Beau aren’t friends, and he didn’t ask the delicious, growly mountain man to keep an eye on me. If that’s true, then why did he act like an overprotective sibling yesterday when Dan flirted with me?

Shaking my head, I try to come up with a reason for his behavior, but in the end, nothing makes sense. Beau and I have zero relationship or even acquaintance, our moms were friends, but it’s not like our families are close, despite us being neighbors.

My mind is a confused mess as I pull into my parking spot right outside the store, absentmindedly climbing out of my car and locking it, before making my way to the storefront and searching in my purse for the key.

“Morning,” a gruff, low voice says from behind me, startling me enough to spin around, my hand clutched to my chest.

“Oh my god,” I shriek as I look up, and up some more to finally stare into Beau’s beautiful face, half hidden by the early morning darkness. “What are you doing sneaking up on me like that?” I snap.

“I didn’t sneak, I pulled up right behind you,” he growls. “You need to start paying attention to what’s going on around you, I could have been anyone and you didn’t even realize I was here.”

My mouth falls open in shock as I stare dumbfounded at him. “This is Rockhead Point, Beau, the crime rate here is almost zero, it’s one of the safest places I could be,” I cry, unlocking the door and pushing it open.

“It’s only safe until it’s not,” he snarls, lifting his arm above mine and holding the door open.

“What does that even mean?” I ask incredulous.

“You’re a beautiful woman, alone in the dark. None of the other stores are open and you’re not even paying attention to what’s happening around you. Some predator could be watching you, just waiting for a chance to attack you, to hurt you.”

“If someone was watching and waiting for me, they could just as easily attack me in broad daylight,” I cry. “Plus, I’m not some helpless little damsel, I know how to defend myself, I’ve taken self-defense classes and my daddy taught me how to take down a guy the moment I was old enough to need to know. I live on a ranch with thirty ranch workers and I’m the only woman,” I shout.

His lips purse and I can see the visible tick in his jaw where he’s grinding his teeth together. I wait for him to say something, but when he doesn’t, I push past him, turning on the lights and heading for the back, my movement stilted and angry.

Going through the motions, I turn on the coffee machine to heat and start to set up the counter for the breakfast rush that will start in about an hour. I have time to bake something, but cakes only taste good when you cook them with love, angry baking is never as tasty.

Beau glares at me for a moment, stepping just inside the door, pausing as if he plans to say something, but then he drops his eyes and moves to his usual table and sits, angrily brooding.

Ten minutes pass while I busy myself doing nothing in the back, actively avoiding being in the front of the store with the guy who has barely spoken to me before yesterday, but is now royally annoying the hell out of me.

“Can I have my coffee?” Beau calls from the front.

Inhaling sharply, I stomp out from the kitchen, stopping when I spot him standing at the counter and not at his table like I was expecting. “What are you doing here, Beau?” I ask bluntly, before I even realize the words are coming from my mouth.

“I was hoping for a coffee,” he says with a self-deprecating smile that makes my core heat, even though I’m trying to keep my annoyance strongly fixed in place.

“You know that’s not what I mean,” I snap.

“I…” he trails off, clearing his throat. “I just wanted to make sure you’re safe. My mama and your mama were friends—”

“Oh my god, are you serious?” I shriek, interrupting him. “I am not a child. I don’t need protecting.”

“Bonnie,” he starts.

“Oh, you do actually know my name then?” I hiss.

“Of course—”

“Just go, Beau. I have the right to refuse service to any customer, and right now I am too pissed at you not to spit in your coffee, so go, you’re not welcome here today,” I snap, turning my back to him and petulantly ignoring him.

I’ll admit that being childish while trying to drive home the point that I’m old enough to be responsible for myself isn’t the greatest decision, but I’m too angry and frustrated to care.

His sigh is audible and I close my eyes, waiting to hear his retreating footsteps and the bell over the door chime. But it doesn’t come, and when I turn around he’s still here, sitting at his usual table, his expression dark.

Ignoring him, I head for the kitchen again, angrily mixing a batch of cookies, purely so I don’t have to go back out there and deal with him. I have no idea why after a year of nothing but polite disinterest he’s suddenly decided to talk, but I don’t care. Between Caleb’s constant refusal to treat me like his equal and now Beau’s, I’m too pissed to care.

When the bell dings, I exhale, glad that he’s finally gone. Only when I peer tentatively around the kitchen door, there’s a customer standing at the counter and Beau is still sitting sullenly in his seat.

“Good morning, welcome to Wake Up and Go Go, what can I get you?” I ask.

“Could I have three triple espresso’s please?” the tired, harried looking woman asks.

“Of course, can I get you anything else?”

“That’s everything, thanks,” she says.

I ring up her total in the till and she hands me a bill, as I set the machine to brew, quickly making her drinks and sliding them into a paper cup holder for her.

“Have a nice day,” I tell her, and she smiles, carrying her drinks out the door and into the early morning sun that’s just crawling over the horizon.

My gaze falls to Beau, still sat at his table, his eyes firmly fixed on me. “You calmed down yet?” he asks.

“Seriously?” I ask, my eyes wide.

Standing up from his seat, he stalks over to me, walking straight around the counter, his height towering over me, making my body perk up with attention at his closeness.

“I’m not gonna apologize for looking out for you, Bonnie, so you can get that idea out of your beautiful fucking head,” he growls, not stopping moving forward until my back is pressed against the counter and his chest is almost pressed against mine. “I didn’t know why I felt so compelled to make sure you were safe until yesterday, when I figured it out pretty damn quick. I’ve been waiting for you; I just didn’t realize it. You’re right, you’re an adult and you’re capable of looking after yourself, but I protect the things that belong to me,” he says, his voice a low, sexy murmur as he bends down and locks eyes with me.

“What?” I ask breathily, his words not making any sense.

“I want you, baby girl,” he rasps.

I feel my lips part in shock as I try to understand what he’s saying. He wants me? That’s absurd. He’s never shown an ounce of interest in me before, and until today, I genuinely thought he didn’t even know my name, and now he’s saying he wants me, that I’m his property.

The bell over the door dings and I push at his chest, trying to move him away from me. Reluctantly he steps back, his eyes boring into me with an intensity that I’ve only even fantasized about.

“I need to go to work, but I’ll be back later,” he says with a growl, reaching out and palming the back of my neck, his grip firm as he leans down and presses a soft kiss to my lips.

Releasing me, he turns and leaves, flashing me an inscrutable look as he disappears out the door.

Hannah Lawrence stares at me, her eyes wide as she looks between me and a retreating Beau, her cheeks reddening a little as she clutches her basket full of pastries to her chest. Hannah is in her early thirties, pretty, with a lovely curvy figure that she enjoys displaying with low cut shirts and skin tight jeans. She makes no qualms about the fact that she’s looking for a husband, and I know that any of the Barnett brothers would fit the bill.

“You and Beau?” she asks, incredulity etched across her face.

“No,” I say, shaking my head in denial.

“No,” she agrees. “He’s not for you, honey, he’ll eat you alive. I’m much more his speed,” she tells me with a wink.

Exhaling slowly, I force a smile to my lips. “Are those today’s danishes?” I ask, trying to divert the conversation away from whatever just happened with Beau.

“They sure are,” she says, stepping forward and placing her basket onto the counter.

The morning passes in a rush, with a walking tour group stopping off at the shop for refreshments before their guide ushers them off up the high street. Pushing all thoughts of Beau to the back of my mind, I decide to write off whatever this morning was as an aberration on his part.

Maybe he needs his morning coffee much more than I realized, and that’s why he behaved so out of character. By lunchtime, I’m convinced that’s the only reasonable explanation, and that I imagined the heat in his eyes and the way my body smoldered when he touched me.

I’ve spent so long wanting him, that I’ve created this fantasy scenario in my head that couldn’t possibly be true. This morning must have been purely innocent on his part, and I’ve just built it up to more than it actually was in my head.

By two in the afternoon, I’ve come to the conclusion that my crush on him has gotten entirely out of control. It’s time to move past my juvenile obsession with him and find someone to date. I’m twenty-one and I’ve never even had a boyfriend, because no one could ever compare to him. If I want people to treat me like an adult, I need to start behaving like one, and dating and having sex are things adults do. Sure, I’ve never felt any kind of sexual attraction to any other guys, but that’s because I was putting road blocks up to stop myself from even trying.

The bell dings and Dan strolls through the door, wearing yet another sharply tailored suit. “Well, hello there, beautiful Bonnie, I was hoping I hadn’t missed you,” he says smoothly.

“Hi Dan,” I say with a smile. “What can I get you?”

“Your number, dinner, and possibly forever. But I’ll start with a latte,” he says with a wink.

A laugh falls from my lips and I glance away, enjoying his playful, harmless flirting.

“One latte coming up,” I tell him, turning and making his coffee with quick efficient movements. “Here you go,” I say, sliding the cup toward him.

The moment I speak, he lowers his cell, sliding it back into his pocket and giving me his full attention. “So, about that dinner?”

“I have plans tonight.”

“And tomorrow?” he asks, his brow arched in question.

“Tomorrow’s my day off,” I tell him.

“So you’re free?”

Pausing, I let my eyes rake over him. He’s cute in a preppy businessman way. Nothing like Beau, but maybe that’s a good thing. I’ve been telling myself all morning that I need to get over this thing I have for him, and Dan could be the perfect way to do that. He’s a stranger, he doesn’t live here, this could be a quick fling to help me get in the mood to find an actual boyfriend.

“I’m free,” I say slowly.

“Will you let me take you out for dinner?” he asks, his eyes twinkling with mirth, making his already attractive face look boyish and endearing.

“Sure, why not.”

His lips spread into a wide grin as he pulls his cell from his pants pocket. “Give me your number and I’ll text you once I book us somewhere to eat.”

Taking his cell from his outstretched hand, I type my number into it and hand it back to him. He taps at the screen and my cell immediately starts to buzz on the shelf beneath the counter. “Just checking,” he says. “But now you have my number too.”

“You thought I’d give you a fake number?” I laugh.

“I hoped not,” he says with a shrug and an ‘aw shuck’s’ smile.

Several customers walk into the shop, and Dan takes his coffee to the stools at the far side of the counter while I serve them. The moment I’m finished, he saunters back over to me, leaning forward and brushing his fingers over my knuckles. “I’m really glad you agreed to go to dinner with me. You’re the most beautiful woman I’ve seen in a very long time.”

A heated blush fills my cheeks and I look away, a little uncomfortable with his praise.

“Wow, beautiful and she blushes,” he says, amusement lacing his tone. “Rockhead Point just got a whole lot more interesting.”

“Hey there, Miss Bonnie,” Bay Barnett says loudly, making me jolt back from Dan.

“Hi Bay, what can I get you?” I ask, smoothing down my shirt as I turn to serve him.

His expression stiffens as he looks between me and Dan. “The biggest cup of coffee you have please,” he says, his eyes on Dan, his lips pursed into a straight line of disapproval.

When he looks back to me, his eyes ripple with an emotion I don’t understand. “Have you seen my brother today?

“Which one?”

Scoffing lightly, he leans forward. “Beau.”

I freeze, unsure what Bay could be getting at. “He came in when I first opened this morning, yeah,” I say, keeping my voice as neutral as possible.

Bay smiles at me, nodding slightly as he pulls his cell from his pocket and starts to tap at the screen. When he doesn’t say anything else, I turn and quickly pour coffee into a large mug and slide it across the counter to him. Reaching into his pocket he pulls out a bill, just as his cell rings loudly. Bay’s smile is so wide I almost smile with him, like his is so compelling you just can’t help but want to join in.

Lifting his cell to his ear he says. “Bro.”

I try not to listen to his conversation, although there’s a prickle of apprehension that runs along my spine as his eyes turn and he tilts his head looking at me, before turning to Dan and assessing him.

Bay talks in single monosyllabic answers, not moving away from the counter. Glancing at Dan I find him arching his eyebrows at me in confusion, but I just shrug. Dan reaches out his hand, wrapping his fingers around my wrist and gently urging me to move to his side of the counter when it becomes obvious that Bay isn’t planning on moving.

“So, I know you agreed to dinner, but can I convince you to be my tour guide before then? You could show me around town and point me in the direction of a nice restaurant for our date,” he says.

Before I have a chance to respond to Dan, Bay lays a hand on his shoulder. “You must be new to town. I’m Bay Barnett,” he says loudly.

Clearing his throat, Dan leans back, releasing his hold on my wrist as he turns to address Bay. “Dan Clements, and yes I am new to town. I’m actually considering buying property in the area, so I thought I’d come visit. I’m pleasantly surprised by how appealing the local attractions are,” he says, glancing at me before turning back to Bay. “I take it you’re a local?”

“Born and bred, I own the mechanics shop just a way’s down the street with my brothers, my family’s land is right next door to Bonnie’s daddy’s ranch,” Bay says.

“A mechanic,” Dan says nodding. “How are you with European cars? I’m in a rental at the minute, but when I move here, I’ll need someone to maintain my Porsche.”

“I prefer good old American cars, but I know my way around a Porsche,” Bay says a little coldly.

I part my lips to speak, just as a furious looking Beau barrels through the door of the store. His eyes quickly move from me to Dan and back to me. Without breaking stride, he marches straight behind the counter, lifts me off my feet, and carries me to into the kitchen, slamming the door closed behind us.

“Wha—” I start to say, but before I can form the word, Beau’s lips are on mine, his tongue forcing his way into my mouth as he kisses me.

I’ve been kissed before, but never like this. Beau’s still holding me off the floor, his one arm curled around my back and pinning me to him, while his free palm is wrapped possessively around the back of my neck. His lips assault my senses, devouring mine like I’m his own personal plaything.

I stay unmoving for a second, so shocked that I don’t react to his manhandling of me, or the way his tongue has invaded my mouth, like he’s trying to learn every inch of me. A little too late, I lift my hands and push at his chest, but he only growls, kissing me harder. His grip on the back of my neck tightens as he tilts my head so he can deepen the kiss.

I wish I could say I don’t react, that I stay still and unresponsive, but that’s not the case. On instinct, I kiss him back, earning another growl from him as I move my tongue against his, sucking on his lightly, as my fingers curl around the fabric of his shirt.

The moment I fully embrace his touch, he pulls back, his expression dark, his eyes glittering with anger. “Obviously this morning I didn’t make myself clear. I want you, Bonnie, and from the way you’re grinding your little wet pussy against me, I know you want me too. I don’t share, baby girl. I’m a possessive, unreasonable, jealous mother fucker, and the moment you kissed me back you became mine.”

Blinking past the raging lust that’s dimmed my vision and centered my focus to only my body and the way it feels to be kissed by Beau, I stare up at him. “What?” I ask.

“You’re mine, baby girl, all mine, and I don’t share. Today you get a free pass, because I didn’t make things clear to you. That’s my fault, I should have told you how it was this morning. But now you know.”

“Know what?” I cry, so confused I can barely make sense of his words. “I’m yours? What the hell does that even mean?”

Walking us to the stainless-steel kitchen counter a few steps behind him, he lowers me down, so my butt is on the edge. Then without releasing me, he steps forward, parting my legs and positioning himself between them. Keeping his palm on the back of my neck, he drops the one from my back, bracing himself on the cool metal surface as he leans down so his face is only a few inches from mine.

“What don’t you get, Bonnie? I want you, and you want me. Tell me I’m wrong,” he growls.

“I…” I trail off. I know I should deny it, tell him I don’t want him, but from the triumphant expression that crosses his face he already knows the truth.

“You’re mine now,” he purrs, pressing a kiss to the side of my neck. “Mine to kiss.” his teeth find the sensitive hollow where my neck meets my shoulder and sink down into the flesh. “Mine to touch,” he coos, pressing a soft kiss to the spot he just bit. “Mine to own.” Lifting his face, he presses his lips to mine again, kissing me hard and fast, before pulling back and looking at me with a smoldering intensity that makes heat gush between my legs where his groin is pressed hard against mine.

“I don’t like getting texts from my brother telling me my girl is flirting with some douche from out of town. But that was my fault for not getting things settled before I left this morning. I’ve got to go back to work, but I’ll be back later so we can talk some more,” he says, lifting me off the counter with ease and carrying me out of the kitchen. He stops behind the counter where I was before he manhandled me, leans down and presses another possessive kiss against my lips. Then he turns and walks away, slapping his brother on the shoulder as he heads out the door.

Staring dumbfounded at his back, I know my lips are kiss swollen, my eyes wide and lust drenched. “What just happened?” I ask no one in particular.

“You said you were single,” Dan snarls, his tone unhappy. “Apparently that was a lie.”

“It wasn’t a lie,” I say, turning to look at him and ignoring Bay’s displeased expression. “It’s not a lie. I am single.”

“No, she’s not,” Bay says. “She’s my brother’s girl, so back the fuck off.”

“I am not Beau’s girl,” I protest a little too loudly, garnering the attention of the customers sitting at the tables closest to the counter.

“So, dinner?” Dan asks, his expression wary and a little angry.

“Is off,” Bay answers for me.

“Dinner is still on,” I say, ignoring Beau’s annoying brother. “I don’t have a boyfriend and I’d still like to go to dinner with you, Dan.”

A pleased smile spreads across Dan’s mouth, and he nods. “Good, I’ll text you,” he says, standing from his stool.

“Okay,” I say with a small, flustered smile.

With a nod, he leaves, and I keep the smile on my face until he’s out the door. The moment he’s gone from view I let it fall from my face, and turn to a scowling Bay. “What the hell was that?” I demand.

“Oh, you’re gonna get it,” Bay crows, shaking his head. “Beau is gonna lose his mind if you go on a date with that dude.”

“What I do, and who I date, is none of Beau’s business. It’s not your business either,” I hiss. “I swear, I preferred the day before yesterday when you Barnett boys only spoke to me to ask for coffee. You need to check the water up on your property, because something is messing with your minds the last couple of days,” I shout, throwing my hands up into the air with frustration when Bay just laughs.

“Get out,” I cry, pointing at the door. “Until you all get back to your senses, you and all your family are banned from this shop,” I shout.

Bay’s laugh follows him all the way out of the door.

Closing my eyes, I inhale sharply. The Barnett’s have all lost their minds, they need to go see a doctor. Beau is kissing me and telling me I’m his, Bay is tattling on me to his brother, then trying to tell me what to do, like his opinion is in some way important to me.

My cell beeps, signaling a text, and I roughly grab it from the shelf below the counter and tap the screen bringing it to life.

Owen – I’m sick, I need you to cover till closing today.

Seeing red, I don’t even consider my actions as I pull up his number and hit call, he answers on the second ring.

“Yo.”

“Owen, my shift finishes in fifteen minutes, if you’re not here I’ll close the shop. I mean it, I’m going home, so either get here to take over or find someone else to work,” I yell.

“I’m your boss, you know,” he says, his tone icy.

“Then I quit,” I shout.

“What?” he gasps. “Calm down, I’ll be there in ten.”

The line goes dead and I slam my cell back down to the counter, closing my eyes and tipping my head back as I pull in long, slow inhales.

Owen arrives ten minutes later, and I don’t say a word as I grab my jacket and purse and leave.