Chapter 3
CHAPTER THREE
Harper
“This is delicious, thank you.” I twirled the spaghetti around my fork and speared a piece of meatball. “Did you learn to cook from someone, or did you teach yourself?”
“I taught myself. Watched videos, made mistakes, but gotta start somewhere.”
“My mom taught me. We used to spend hours together in the kitchen when I was little.” A wave of sadness washed over me at the memory, my heart aching.
“That’s amazing. I bet your cooking would blow mine out of the water.” Kaiden smiled and he reached across the table, placing his hand on mine. Could he read the sadness all over my face? I never did have a good poker face.
He didn’t ask questions, didn’t pry, and instead told a story of how he burnt a pizza so bad, his house stunk like burnt cheese and pepperoni for days. I watched as his eyes light up, his voice growing animated at the funny memory.
I couldn’t believe I was here, having dinner in the house of a man I’d never met before, and actually enjoying myself. For some reason, my shyness melted away around him, the conversation and vibes around him easy going.
Not to mention his gorgeous looks. Damn, the man is fine. A sexy body full of muscles, tall and strong, like he could throw me around the bedroom all night long, and a chiseled jawline were only some of his features that made me drool. I imagined what he’d look like naked, a full six pack waiting to be discovered, his pecs defined.
The idea of staying here seemed preposterous, but if it meant I wouldn’t have to drive in the snow on the dark mountain roads, then so be it.
“Somethings taste good with a bit of char on them, but pizza is not one of them.” I laughed at his story and launched into my own disaster story involving pancakes.
“How is it possible I feel like I’ve known you a lot longer than a couple of hours?”
“It’s crazy, right? I haven’t lived in Misty Mountain for very long. Otherwise I think I would’ve noticed you sooner.” I flirted back, suddenly feeling brazen. Kaiden brought out a side of me I didn’t even know I had. Me flirt? Hardly ever.
We spent the rest of the meal talking about books and the town. I helped him clean up and we walked Junie out to the backyard, already a few inches of snow on the ground. “Wow, the snow doesn’t mess around here, huh?”
“Nope. A lot of times, we don’t get much warning.”
Back inside, I asked Kaiden to show me his library. He converted one of his bedrooms upstairs into a room with wall-to-wall bookshelves, all of them filled to the brim with endless spines of books. “You could open your own store with all of these!” I fluttered around the room, trying to take everything in, jealous I didn’t have my own little library. But I couldn’t not be happy in this room. “You even have a ladder!” I hurried over to the rolling ladder and jumped on, spreading one arm out as I rode along the shelves. “It’s like I’m Belle from Beauty and the Beast! ”
Kaiden laughed and laughed, Junie barking at him as she watched us act like kids.
“You need to add some romance to these shelves. Some heat.” I wiggled my eyebrows at him, and he chewed on one side of his mouth.
“Some heat you say?”
“Yes.” I giggled as I jumped down from the ladder. “We could all use a little more romance in our lives.”
“Maybe I should have you add some to my collection.” He grinned like the book nerd he was, proud of his book collection which only made me admire him more. Miss Lila wasn’t lying when she said he was an avid reader.
Kaiden stepped closer to me and my breath caught in my throat. How was this man unraveling me in so many ways I never thought possible?
He moved another inch closer, then another, and I was ready to explode, the attraction between us like a moth to a flame. How?
Kaiden lowered his head, his tall frame towering above my short one, and when I was sure he was going to kiss me, Junie barked and we sprung apart.
“Shit, she scared me!” I clutched at my chest and laughed, the moment gone yet the tension as thick as ever.
“She’s jealous.” Kaiden rubbed her head and glanced at his watch. “I’ll probably head out in an hour or so to start plowing. Want to watch a movie until then?”
“Sure, that sounds great.”
In the living room, we sat side by side on the couch and Kaiden flipped through the selection, until we both agreed on a comedy. As the movie’s opening credits rolled, Kaiden slipped his arm around my shoulder.
I leaned in and rested my head against him.
When else would I get to cuddle a hot mountain man? I wasn’t letting my chance get away.
My eyes slowly opened, and I looked around, my senses out of whack. The room was dark, and my body was warm, like I had too many blankets on. I blinked some more and looked to my right, Junie lying on top of my feet on the couch. It hit me right then.
I was still at Kaiden’s house. With I gasp, I sat up straight as white-hot panic ran through my veins.
What time was it? Why was I still here?
On the other side of me was Kaiden, his body slumped to the side against the arm rest of the couch. His arm was still wrapped around my shoulders and when I tried to move it, he stirred, growled, and held on tighter.
Shit! We must’ve fallen asleep!
“Kaiden. Kaiden, wake up. We must’ve fallen asleep!” I shook him gently, his eyes peeking open.
“It must be late.” I looked out the window, the snow piling up outside as more continued to fall. “Wake up, Kaiden.”
“I’m up, I’m up.” He ran a hand over his face and stretched before glancing at his watch. “Damn it, it’s almost five am. Why don’t we just wait out the storm some more? It’s almost morning.”
“Are you sure you’re not needed out there?”
“Nah, it’ll be fine. I’ll jump in tomorrow. You can have my bed upstairs. I’ll sleep on the couch.”
“That’s crazy, it’s your house. I’ll take the couch.”
“I’m not letting my guest have the couch. Especially not you, who at this point, I wouldn’t even consider a guest.”
“Then what am I?” The question popped out of my mouth before I could stop it.
“Oh, sweetheart, you are so much more.”
Despite the heavy fog of sleep, a fire lit my insides, burning my veins, my blood like molten lava. Words escaped me as he led me upstairs to his bed.
“If you’re not comfortable under the covers, I’ll grab you a few blankets so you can sleep on top of my comforter.”
I placed my hand on his arm, his hot skin scalding my fingers. “This is perfect, thank you.”
He looked down at where I touched him, a small breath releasing from between his lips. When his eyes met mine, now dark and slitted, I could only imagine what might be going through his head.
Did he feel it too?
“You’re making it very hard for me not to kiss you right now.”
“Then what’s stopping you?” My words bold and brazen.
Without hesitation, Kaiden grabbed both sides of my face and dipped his head low. He brought his mouth close to mine and his lips brushed against mine every so lightly, before he went all in.
Slow at first, exploring, seeking, asking permission, until I couldn’t take it anymore and I deepened the kiss, sliding my tongue inside to twirl with his.
Nipping, tasting, teasing each other as our kiss heightened. I met him back with intensity, wanting to taste more and more of him.
When we finally broke apart minutes later, out of breath and dizzy, my hand flew up to my lips, them now swollen and most likely, bruised. Yet I didn’t care. I loved every second of it.
“I’ll wake you in a few hours. Get some rest, beautiful.” Kaiden said before kissing me once more.
I stood frozen next to the bed, my heart beating wildly in my chest.
All of it felt like a dream and when I climbed into his bed, slid under his warm comforter, the scent of him filled my nose, and I pinched my arm. A sharp pain shot through me and confirmed- everything happening was real.
I was in a hot mountain man’s bed.
And I never wanted to leave.