Mountain Lion by Terry Bolryder Page B

little ranch wife. But she was too afraid anyone wanting to claim her would turn into a monster at some point. Anyone could change. And moreover, what if she changed? She was still waking up inside. What if she thought something was love when it was just a fling, just something she needed while learning to be a full person again?
    She was just barely spreading her wings to experience life. She didn’t have time yet to know what she wanted for good or where she would land when she stopped flying.
    She could hope it was with Wyatt, but she didn’t know. Perhaps he’d only come into her life to be with her for a moment, to teach her something.
    Maybe it was because when she’d first started working there, she’d always told herself to remember it wasn’t long term and Wyatt was being a good friend but nothing more and to not have expectations.
    But oddly enough, Wyatt seemed to be the one developing expectations.
    And while she didn’t completely dislike it, she just wasn’t ready to meet him in those feelings.
    Even if she did care for him, deeply. And think he was the hottest thing in the world.
    She finally pulled back, looking up at him. His expression was serious and intent. “Thank you for that,” she said, trying to stay casual.
    “Anytime,” he said, leaning forward to press a kiss to her forehead.
    She bit her lip and gave him a hesitant grin. “So time to get ready for the day?”
    “Yes,” he said, stepping out of the shower, grabbing a towel and holding it up for her while staying dripping wet himself.
    That was another thing about Wyatt. He always put her first. Would they ever have an even relationship if they did get together?
    She didn’t want to never know whether she was just his pity project. Someone he was with because he felt sorry for her.
    He was the type who liked helping people. He couldn’t help it. What if he was mistaking those kinds of feelings for something more?
    She couldn’t risk it.
    Things needed to stay simple between them. They could have this, these sexy hot moments they both seemed to enjoy, and no more.
    “I’m glad we’re friends, Wyatt,” she said as she took the towel and wrapped herself in it. “I’m glad you’re doing this for me.”
    His brow knitted and he froze, then grabbed his own towel and wrapped it around himself. If he was mad, then he was being quiet about it.
    She let him lead the way into the bedroom and then waited as he got dressed.
    As he did, she could sense his irritation in every movement.
    “What’s wrong?” she asked.
    He snapped his gaze in her direction, golden eyes fiery and backlit. “What do you think is wrong? That’s not something I do with friends .”
    She gulped. “I see.”
    “I mean, I already agreed to be okay with your lack of commitment, and I’m going to respect your boundaries because I feel lucky to be able to experience these things with you. To show you things you’ve never had, but let’s get one thing straight. We were friends. Now we’re lovers. Friends don’t do what we just did.”
    She nodded slowly. “Okay.”
    He narrowed his eyes, looking like he wanted to say something but was still deciding if he should. “And one other thing. As long as we’re doing this, for as long as we do it, I don’t want you having other ‘friends’ that you’d do this with. It’s not safe.”
    She narrowed her own eyes in response. The warm arousal in her body faded as she tightened up. “So let me get this straight. We’re not committed, but you’re saying I can’t be with anyone else.”
    “I can’t do it,” he said. “I can do this, but no more. If you want to be with someone else, then just stop things between us.”
    She supposed that was fair, though it made her feel uncertain and triggery when anyone made a claim on her.
    She knew she was already pushing Wyatt, so she agreed. “Okay,” she said. “I can do that.”
    He sighed in relief.
    Wyatt wasn’t Lyle, she reassured herself. Wyatt wasn’t