A tiny smile appeared.
"You don't have to look at the wall."
He glanced back cautiously.
"Didn't want to make you uncomfortable."
She stepped closer.
Her heart was still racing.
"Can I ask you something?"
"Of course."
She tilted her head.
"Did you really only want to cut the corset?"
His eyebrows lifted.
"Yes."
She looked at his mouth.
Then his eyes.
"That's a shame."
He went completely still.
For the first time since they'd met, the enormous mountain man seemed to have lost his ability to speak.
She smiled nervously.
The movement surprised even her.
For years, she'd been told she wasn't beautiful enough to attract a respectable man.
Too heavy.
Too broad.
Too much woman.
But this man was looking at her as though he had forgotten how to breathe.
She reached forward.
Her fingers closed gently around one of his leather suspenders.
"You're staring."
His voice deepened.
"Can't seem to help it."
Her cheeks flushed.
She stepped a little closer.
"Then perhaps you should do something about it."
He swallowed.
"Sweetheart, you don't owe me anything."
"I know."
"You don't have to—"
She gently tugged his suspender.
"Then come closer."
He didn't move.
She lifted her chin.
"And kiss me."
The mountain man searched her face.
"Are you certain?"
Her smile softened.
"Yes."
He leaned down slowly.
She rose slightly onto her toes.
And when their lips finally met, the young woman discovered something she had never experienced before.
A kiss that wasn't taken.
A kiss that wasn't demanded.
A kiss she had chosen.
It was gentle at first.
Almost hesitant.
Then she rested one hand against his chest, feeling the steady thud of his heart beneath the black linen shirt.
He touched her cheek with extraordinary care.
When they parted, she remained close enough to feel his breath.
For several seconds, neither spoke.
Then she whispered, "Was that part of the twenty-dollar agreement?"
The mountain man laughed softly.
"No, ma'am."
She smiled.
"Good."
He brushed a loose strand of hair away from her face.
"Because I don't intend to collect a debt from you."
Her expression grew tender.
"And if I wanted to kiss you again?"
His mouth curved into a rare smile.
"Then I'd consider myself the luckiest fool in Wyoming."
She laughed.
It was the first genuine laugh she'd allowed herself in months.
And for one brief moment, the twenty dollars, the snowstorm, and the terrible afternoon at the trading post seemed impossibly far away.
Then someone knocked on the cabin door.
Three heavy blows.
The mountain man's smile disappeared.
The woman froze.
Another knock followed.
Then a voice rose from outside.
"I know she's in there!"
Her father's voice.
The young woman went pale.