Epilogue - Charlotte #2
“That’s good to hear.” My eyes snap toward that deep, sexy voice, which is nothing like Burt’s nasally tone, to find the sexy mountain man who was at the far side of the picnic tables now standing inches away from me—close enough that I could rub myself all over him if I wanted.
And boy, do I want to. “I’d hate to think someone like him is my competition. ”
“Burt?” I snort. “No, thank you.”
“So, you’re telling me I have a chance with you, Buttercup?” When he smiles, a dimple shows in his cheek, and I have to resist the urge to poke my tongue in it for a taste.
What’s wrong with you, Autumn? You’re a twenty-six-year-old virgin with dangerous thoughts running through your mind. This guy spells trouble with a capital T. You’re looking for a soulmate, not a quick hookup with some drifter in town for a one-day festival.
I’m no better than those buckle bunnies chasing rodeo stars or the puck bunnies at hockey games looking to score.
So, what does that make me—a mountain bunny?
An axe bunny? Maybe a wood bunny? The last one makes me laugh out loud just thinking about what kind of wood I want.
Hey, I might be a virgin, but I watch porn for women.
I’ve never given a blow job to anyone before, but I bet I’d know my way around his wood given a chance, thanks to my favorite adult website.
Instead of answering him, I clear my throat to cover up my laughter and run my gaze up and down his body, appreciating how his flannel shirt stretches across his broad chest and tapers down to a pair of firm hips in tight blue jeans.
So tight, in fact, that I notice the large, and I mean large, bulge in the front of his pants.
When he chuckles, I realize I’ve been caught drooling over his wood.
"So, are you in town for the Mountain Man Challenge?” Real smooth, Autumn. I scold myself. Of course, he’s in town for the challenge.
“Something like that.” He smiles, reaching out his hand toward my cheek, then quickly dropping it to his side.
Did I say this man was trouble? He’s deadly with all that charm and that stupidly sexy dimple. I don’t think I’ll be able to resist him for very long.
Do you want to resist him?
This is just harmless flirting. He’s only in town for one day, and most of that time will be spent in the competition. It’s not like he’s going to fall hopelessly in love with me, declare his undying love, and beg me to marry him after knowing me for only a day.
Ugh, I need to stop reading those instalove romance books that give the reader unreasonable expectations of men.
“That’s what I thought.” I turn to walk away, knowing I need to stop whatever is happening between us before I fall too hard, too fast for someone I can’t have a future with. “I need to get back to the truck. Good luck in the competition.”
“Speaking of good luck.” He places both hands on my face and looks into my eyes. I can’t help but stare back at the desire I see there. “How about a kiss for that good luck?”
I’d always dreamed of sharing my first kiss with the man I married, but this feels too raw and powerful to prevent it from happening. It’s okay, I remind myself, there will be other firsts I can share with my husband, as I lean forward, meeting him halfway.
“Good girl.” He murmurs right before tilting my head and capturing my lips in what seems like a hesitant kiss for someone who talks the way he does.
All thoughts of his hesitation disappear from my mind as his tongue flicks across the corner of my lips, making me gasp in surprise.
He uses that surprise to his advantage as his tongue enters my mouth again with a slight hesitation until we find a rhythm that has me grabbing onto his shirt to pull him closer.
Time feels frozen as our tongues collide in a frantic dance.
A familiar voice loudly calls from nearby, “The sign-up is almost over, so if you still need to register, you might want to take your tongue out of my sister’s mouth and sign up.”
We jump apart at Junie’s words. Damn her for spoiling what was the best feeling I’ve ever felt.
I bet he could make you feel really good in other places too.
Most people have an angel on one shoulder and a devil on the other—I swear I must have two devils and no angel because the things I want this mountain man to do to me after only one kiss have got to be unholy.
“Come watch me compete.” There’s a desperation in his voice I haven’t heard before—like he can’t be away from me.
My heart beats faster. “I-I need to help with the food truck.” I stutter. This is all happening too fast. I need to step back and take a breath.
He glances over my shoulder at the food truck with a smile. “I think they’ll be fine without you.”
I spin around just in time to see Charlotte and Brynnlee, who must have arrived for her shift, both smiling and alternating between waving and making a shooing motion.
“Fine,” I say, causing him to smile.
“My name’s Ridge.” He gives me a quick kiss. “I want to make sure you know what name to call out.” With a slow, sexy wink, he starts to walk away.
The double meaning isn’t lost on me, and I feel my cheeks heat up. “My name’s Autumn,” I call out, earning me one more of those gorgeous, dimpled smiles as he walks backwards toward the sign-up tent, never taking his eyes off me.
What mountain man doesn’t have a full beard? One that would hide that tempting dimple. Sure, he has that sexy five o’clock shadow, which I actually prefer.
“Hey, sis,” Junie’s super sweet voice is not lost on me.
“It’s no big deal. He’s only in town for one day.” Even as I say those words, my heart drops. I finally meet someone who makes my heartbeat faster and slower at the same time, and he’s not an option for the kind of future I want.
“Suuuuure.” She drags out the word, making it clear she doesn’t believe me.
“Now, let’s go watch our men compete against each other, and you can tell me all about how the first man I’ve ever seen you interested in isn’t a big deal.
” She loops her arm through mine and leads me to the stands and to the one man I can’t afford to fall for.