A Billionaire's Cabin Love - Posey Parks Page 0,28

“This is a small town. News gets around fast,” Garrett huffed.

Collin fisted Eric’s flannel shirt. “I don’t give a shit about any of you bastards. Kara’s my woman. She made her choice. Accept it. You all are hung up on the same woman. Get a fucking life. Make peace with the fact that she chose me.” He pushed him back.

Eric reared his fist back, then threw a punch. Collin ducked.

Collin threw a jab, landing across Eric’s jaw.

Garret and Jack pushed Collin.

“That’s enough,” I shouted.

They ignored me. Their fists slammed into Collin’s body and face. I pried between them.

Jack picked me up and sat me in a chair. “Stay down.” He pointed.

Collin threw punch after punch. Jack grabbed Collins arms, holding him back. Peter threw a punch, then Collin slammed his foot into his stomach, knocking him to the floor again.

I stood on top of the chair. “It’s over,” I roared.

Nick, one of the local, shoved the guys apart. Collin and the guys met my gaze.

“I’ve lived here all my life. No one asked what I wanted. Eric, Garrett, and Peter, you all have been nice to me over the years. But you guys just can’t take no for an answer. I am not romantically attracted to any of you guys.” I glanced at the floor, then back at them.

“I don’t want to be with any of you. I’ve let you down over the years, but apparently, I have to be blunt. I will not ever be with you, Garrett, Eric, or Peter. And Collin, yes I chose you.”

His bloody lip ticked up.

“But I am no one’s property. You have no right talking about me like I’m an animal.”

“Kara, listen,” Collin pleaded.

I placed my hand up. “No. The way you all carried on today, hurt my heart. I’m a human being. None of you deserve me.” Tears leaked from my eyes.

I stormed toward the exit. My name left each of their lips as the door slammed behind me and the crisp air smacked my bones. Clutching my shivering arms, I trudged down the snow-covered sidewalk toward our shop. I hoped no one came after me. Time alone was what I needed. My shaky cold fingers swiped at the tears before I dug into my jeans pocket. I didn’t carry a purse. I turned the key in the lock, then dipped inside.

The shop had always been my place of refuge. I didn’t need light to find my way around our humble shop. The map display’s, jackets, and hats lined the four aisles. You’d never believe how many tourists arrived ill prepared for the cold weather. It used to surprise me, not anymore. We had everything a tourist could need. Binoculars, hand warmers, top of the line cameras, sim cards. We were a tourist shop of the future. I smiled as I reached the counter and turned on my heels. I’d miss this place. Sinking to the floor, I hugged my legs. Tears smacked my knees. Was I making the right decision? A recent memory warmed my heart. Collin and I rode the ski lift in Anchorage, sipping hot chocolate.

Flecks of amber sparkled in his brown eyes. “I won’t ever forget how much you love hot chocolate.”

I smiled so hard my facial muscles hurt. He was the boyfriend I never had. He wrapped his arm around me, scanning the slopes.

My entire body quaked against him. That was the moment I fell in love with Collin Daughtry.

Pushing myself up off the floor, I continued to the office. I reached inside the ancient wooden chest, where my dad kept my pillow and blankets. Every day after school, I grabbed my favorite blanket out of the chest and took a nap on the cot. Those were the days, kindergarten through third grade. All I wanted to do was play. Dad said naps were important. Playtime came later. Sitting on the cot, I untied my boots, then snuggled into my pillow under the blanket.

I didn’t know what obstacles I’d face once I arrived in L.A.

But I damn sure wasn’t backing down.

CHAPTER SEVEN

COLLIN

Kara shut down all the bullshit. I was proud of her. Even when she told me I didn’t own her. She was right; I didn’t. I never meant it in that way. Behind closed doors, Kara moaned she belonged to me. In front of half the town, that probably didn’t sound sweet and endearing. My thoughts kept flipping back to the part where she said she chose me. Those words made my heart swell a thousand