Scarred: A Mountain Man Romance

by J. R. Ryder

  Would she accept my offer? Or would she reject, thinking I only wanted her for her body?

  There was so much I wanted to say, and yet, I couldn’t bring myself to utter a word. For once in my life, I was rendered speechless.

  Eventually, after what felt like an eternity, we arrived at the banquet hall I had rented for the ball. It was a colonial mansion that belonged to the family. Already, VIP guests waltzed up to the main entrance, looking like they owned the world.

  “Um… are you sure I should be here?” Tanya asked with a gulp.

  “Of course,” I answered just before getting out of my seat.

  By the time I rounded the car, Tanya was already stepping onto the sidewalk. As she did her heel snagged on the hem of her dress causing her to lose her balance.

  Instinctually, I reached forward and caught her, arms tight around her body. “Careful,” I growled, holding her a little tighter. “I wouldn’t want you to get hurt.”

  “I…”

  “No matter how badly you’ve fallen for me.” I winked, a smirk painted on my face. “Now, come on, we have an entrance to make.”

  As I took her hand, our fingers locked together. The feeling of her silky skin against mine filled me with confidence like I had never felt before. I straightened my posture, chest jutting out ever so slightly. Then, with a newfound pep in my step, I towed her toward the mansion.

  “Wow…” She whispered in awe.

  “You haven’t seen anything yet. Just wait until we get inside.” Even though Tanya had been my assistant for a couple of years, she had never actually attended the Ball. I had always found a high-class date to tag along. Back then, I was more concerned with making appearances. Now, with my corporate empire to support me, there wasn’t much that threatened my position. no matter what anyone thought, I was going to bring whoever I damn choose as my date.

  By the doors, one of the ushers nodded in my direction. “Mr. Walton.”

  I nodded back.

  Inside, a crowd had already formed, gathering in clusters. Well-dressed waiters walked around the room, serving drinks and appetizers. “Can I get you anything?”

  She shook her head.

  “You know, there’s no reason for you to be bashful. I want you to enjoy yourself tonight, alright?”

  Tanya looked hesitant, searching my eyes. “I…” She wet her lips. “Okay.”

  “Now, what can I get you?”

  “Um… a glass of wine should be fine.”

  “Coming right up.” With a snap of my fingers, I beckoned over a waiter, snatching up two cups of a deep, red wine. Each bottle would cost me $500.

  Timidly, she took a sip, hands shaking.

  Unable to see her acting this way, I took the alcohol away from her, placing my hands on hers. “There’s no need to be so nervous. Just trust me and have a good time.” Before she could say something, I pressed my hand to the small of her back, hips pressed together.

  “W-What are you doing?” She whispered, eyes widening as she looked all around. “People are watching.”

  “So? Let them stare as I enjoy a dance with the most beautiful woman here.” Almost on cue, the orchestra started to play.

  Jingle Bells.

  Not my usual choice when trying to impress a woman but it would have to do – this was a Christmas Ball after all.

  “I… I can’t dance.” Tanya protested.

  “Just follow my lead,” I whispered, locking our bodies together as I started to move across the dancefloor. Despite her claim, we glided together in perfect sync, like partners who had been practicing for years.

  I laughed, my heart swelling with joy as the cheerful music took over, guiding my movements.

  “I haven’t had this much fun in a long time,” I admitted without thinking.

  “Oh?” Tanya had finally relaxed to the point where her hands were on my shoulder.

  Chestnuts roasting…

  With the slower tempo of the newest song, we swayed together, looking into each other’s eyes. At that moment, I couldn’t deny how this woman had managed to capture my heart, making it beat harder than ever before. She was making me feel alive in a way that no one else had.

  The feeling was addictive. I wanted more of it. Much more.

  the only way to get what I wanted was to keep Tanya and I had no idea what she would decide to do.

  “Tanya…” I started, hands on her hips, afraid to let go. Never before had I felt so attached to someone like I needed her to breathe. She was the reason everything looked so bright. The Christmas tree sparkled with a new light. The jolly smiles seemed happier. With Tanya, everything was better.

  Yet, doubt trickled into the back of my mind.

  What if she said no?

  What then?

  How would I find someone to replace her?

  The answer was, I wouldn’t. I couldn’t.

  “Y-Yes?” She asked, fingers tightening around my suit jacket, voice quivering.

  “Have you thought about what I said down by the beach house?”

  Her lips pressed together into a thin line. We stopped dancing.

  Fuck.

  This wasn’t going to end well…

  “Tanya… just tell me. I won’t get mad, no matter how you choose.” Gently, I lifted her chin so I could look at her, gauging her expression.

  She looked around the banquet hall. “Can we… go somewhere… a little more… private?” She asked, stepping back.

  I desperately wanted to reel her back into my arms, but instead, I just nodded my head. I had promised myself that no matter what happened, I would accept her decision.

  Together, we weaved through the crowd of people. As we did I could hear a few muted whispers commenting on my choice of an escort. Most of these whispers came from women with upturned noses and too-thin bodies. I had fucked most of them, leaving them wanting more. They were just jealous because they knew they didn’t have what Tanya had.

  Beauty. Intelligence. most of all… she had my heart.

  I had fallen for her; there was no point denying it.

  I was starting to think I was the only one.

  The journey to the outside balcony felt like it would never end. My head kept spinning, anticipating what she would say.

  Finally, I pushed open a set of glass doors. The wind was harsh, whipping around us as if to indicate that we did not belong – that we needed to go back inside.

  There, Tanya walked up to the railing, leaning forward, looking out at the manor’s wide expanse of land. The moonlight highlighted her features, making her look brilliant. My heart quickened at the sight of her, seeing her with fresh eyes. For so long, she had been nothing more than my assistant but I wanted to change that. I wanted this woman by my side – where she rightfully belonged.

  I waited for her to speak but the minutes rolled into one another, her face frozen in thought.

  Slowly, I came up behind her, wrapping my arms around her slender tor my head on her shoulder, lips tempted by the skin of her neck but I managed to hold myself back, anticipation bubbling inside of my chest. What would she say?

  “Everett…” She began, voice soft and shaking. Her fingers tightened on the railing, knuckles turning white.

  “Shh, take your time,” I said, placing my hands on hers, giving them a little squeeze, trying to comfort her. It was strange being in this position of vulnerability. I was a man who always got what he wanted – who took what he wanted, but this time, I was placing myself in her hands. She was the deciding factor in this equation. “I just want you to be honest with me. That’s all I’m asking for.”

  At that moment, she looked into my eyes, our gazes locking in a silent moment of understanding. I started to smile, heart swelling but before I could utter a word, she pushed herself onto her tippy toes until our lips collided together.

  The kiss started off at a gentle pace, lips dancing at a slow, tender tempo. soon enough, the passion we both held in our chests came pouring out, adding fuel to the fire. It g
rew hotter and hotter as our hands started to roam. My hands ventured from her hips to her breasts to her ass, tracing out her every inch, her every wondrous curve.

  Our bodies pressed together as I held her even closer, feeling like I never wanted to let her go.

  My lungs burned for air, but I ignored their plea, kissing her even harder, our tongues tangling together, fighting each other for dominance. Before either one of us could win, she pulled away, panting, a wild grin on her.

  “Yes.” She breathed.

  I stared at her, blinking a moment, almost forgetting what we had come out here to discuss.

  “Yes, I’ll have your child.”

  Chapter 11 (Tanya)

  I looked up at my boss, wide-eyed and uncertain. My heart pounded inside of my chest, threatening to explode. I couldn’t believe I had just agreed to carry this man’s child. I stared deep into his eyes, waiting for his reaction but all he did was look at me, expression unreadable.

  Had he changed his mind? Had I made the wrong decision? Had he found someone better?

  Fear crept under my skin as the seconds seemed to drag on for an eternity.

  Why wasn’t he saying anything?

  All of a sudden, he lunged forward, wrapped his arms around my body, and swept me off my feet. With our chests pinned together, he spun me around and around, a bright smile on his face, blue eyes shining brightly.

  “Everett! You’re going to make me dizzy!” I protested, hands on his broad shoulders, trying to get him to stop.

  With a chuckle, he fell into a nearby chair, keeping me on his lap, hands firmly on my hips, fingers digging into my skin. It didn’t seem like he had any intention to let me go.

  Our faces gravitated together until our foreheads touched. We were both smiling like idiots, our happiness exciting the air around us until it almost seemed to buzz. “Well, let’s go make ourselves a baby.” He said with a smirk, suddenly jumping to his feet, cradling me against his chest.

  It amazed me how strong he was. He carried me with ease like I weighed no more than a feather.

  Without hesitation, he walked back into the manor, a look of pride plastered on his face. He didn’t seem to care that people were looking at him, judging the woman in his arms.

  Before long, we were back in his car. Gently, he eased me onto the seat, buckling me into place. “I hope you’re ready for a wild ride.” He whispered, voice husky and seductive as hell. When I looked up at him, our lips crashed together, tongues immediately tangling together.

  My hormones surged. Never before had I wanted something so badly? My body ached for his, a fire blazing between my legs. I grabbed him by the jacket, pulling him even closer, trying to make the moment last. His lips were so sweet against mine that I was starting to become an addict. The more I tasted, the more I craved.

  As we continued our rough, passionate kiss, his hand crept up the slit of my dress, fingertips dancing along my thigh. I shivered with desire, legs spreading in reaction.

  He smirked into the kiss, fingers finally finding the waistband of my thong. He hooked his pointer finger around the thin piece of fabric and tugged on it.

  I moaned, lifting my ass off the seat as the thong buried between my cheeks.

  “I’m going to have so much fun with you…” He murmured, finally breaking away. He lingered a moment longer to kiss my neck, sucking softly at the base, hitting my sweet spot until I turned into a puddle of lust.

  God, how was this man so damn sexy?

  Then, just when things were getting really good, he pulled away, a devilish look on his face.

  I groaned.

  His smirk deepened. He knew exactly what he was doing to me.

  With a calm expression on his face, he rounded the car, getting behind the wheel. When the engine rumbled to life, the soft vibrations only added to my growing excitement.

  Already, my pussy was soaking wet and getting wetter by the second.

  Glancing over at Everett, I noticed his bulge growing. Unable to help myself, I reached over and unzipped his pants.

  Everett continued to drive, grip adjusting on the wheel, eyes focused on the road.

  I grinned, reaching into his pants, pulling out his cock and taking it into my hand. He was so thick that I could barely wrap my fingers around his girth. “Someone’s excited…” I whispered, my thumb and forefinger already teasing his tip.

  His jaw tensed as he held back a moan of pleasure, hips moving ever so slightly to buck into my hand. I loved how receptive he was to my touch. It was obvious that he wanted me – that he needed me.

  Tonight was going to be one hell of a night.

  Thinking his tip had received enough torture, I moved onto his shaft, rubbing it up and down until he was standing at full attention.

  Then, I stopped.

  He looked at me, eyes dark and questioning.

  I giggled.

  “You’re going to pay for that one, missy.” He growled, stepping on the gas.

  At this point, we were both eager to get under the sheets because if we kept this up, we’d be fucking in the backseat of his car.

  Everett eased off the highway and in a few minutes, we were rolling up to his luxurious mansion. Of course, as his assistant, I had been here plenty of times before, usually bringing around expense reports and contracts he needed to look at before heading to the office. Each time, the grandeur of the place took me by awe, and now was no different.

  before I could admire it for very long, Everett pulled into his four-car garage. Instantly, he sprang from his seat and opened my door, hoisting me to my feet. A second later, I was bent over the hood, his hands groping at my large chest as his lips hungrily devoured mine.

  His other hand grabbed my thigh, hooking it around his waist.

  Fuck, this was so hot.

  I tangled my fingers in his hair, pulling on it as my tongue slipped into his mouth.

  He traced my bottom lip before pulling back.

  I didn’t let go.

  Without breaking the kiss, he picked me up, hands on my ass, and carried me inside. He climbed a set of spiral stairs, going higher and higher.

  I didn’t bother to pay too much attention since my mind was slowly turning to mush with the intensity of the kiss. A fire burned inside my soul. I felt like I would erupt at any moment and the night hadn’t even started yet.

  Soon, he pushed open a door, stepping into a luxurious bedroom. A plush carpet covered the floor while a four-poster bed dominated the space. Without hesitating, he threw me on that bed, pouncing on me a second later.

  His hands wrapped around my wrists, pinning them above my head.

  My heart skipped a beat when I realized that I was now in his control. He could do whatever he wanted with me. And, that’s exactly what I wanted him to do.

  He smirked. “God, you’re so beautiful…” He whispered, eyes drinking in the sight of my body. “ you’d look even better with this dress on the ground.”

  Suddenly, the dress was torn off my body with a loud rip. It flew through the air, landing near his dresser.

  I blushed deeply, naked except for my bright-red thong.

  His smirk deepened as he settled himself between my legs, head bending down to take the thong between his teeth. With a flick of his head, it gave way. “Mmm…” He mused, leaving a trail of kisses along my thighs, teasing me.

  I groaned. “Everett… please…”

  “What’s the matter, baby?” He asked in mock innocence.

  “Please… don’t tease me like this. I want you.”

  “Oh? Do you now?” He chuckled. “You should be careful what you wish for. I just might be more than you bargained for.” Then, without another word, he dived into my folds, tongue lapping at the juices that had accumulated during the car ride.

  Pleasure coursed through my veins as I felt the grainy texture of his tongue swirling inside of me, twirling this way and that, driving me mad. My hips bucked into the air, begging for more, juices flowing out of me like a river.
My fingers tightened around the sheets as my breathing became ragged. “Everett…” I moaned, unable to say anything else.

  He ignored my pleas, continuing his assault, tongue flicking in and out of me faster and faster.

  suddenly, he stopped.

  When I looked up, he had his cock in hand. “I’m going to make you feel so damn good…” He promised, grinning like a madman. Gently, he leaned forward, pressing the tip to my entrance.