Chapter 5
CHAPTER FIVE
Harper
After we bundled up and cleaned off Kaiden’s truck while warming up the engine, we climbed inside and blasted the heat. Junie sat between us, and she liked my cold cheeks with her cold tongue. “Aw, Junie gives the best kisses.” I snuggled up close to her and she licked me more.
Kaiden laughed. “You smell good and taste good. Junie’s got great taste just like her dad.” He winked and shivers ran through me.
Even though we just met last night, it felt like I’d known him forever, the vibe between us comfortable and never awkward or weird. Did Miss Lila secretly know what she was doing when she spoke to me about him?
Honestly, I’ll have to thank her. Because the quiet mountain man wasn’t so quiet around me. He may not advertise his secret love for books around town but the way his entire face lit up when he showed me his library told me all that I needed to know. His passion for books was just as strong as mine.
And the way he comforted me when I spoke about my parents blew me away. I didn’t tell many people about my painful memories, and certainly not any guys I dated. But with Kaiden it was different. I wanted to tell him everything. I wanted us to share our deepest, darkest secrets, and a part of me was scared shitless. Scared to be vulnerable, scared to let someone in, but if I were to let anyone in, it would be him.
“You ready for an adventure?” Kaiden’s question interrupted my thoughts.
“You bet.”
“Alright, first, we’ll do my driveway, then the dirt road. The main roads should be plowed, but I have regular clients I take care of, then I help out the town as well. Including the lot at Evergreen Books & Trinkets.”
“Let’s get it!” I clapped my hands excitedly which caused Junie to lick my face again. “I’ve never seen so much snow, never mind drive around in it!”
Kaiden laughed. “You’re too fucking cute.”
I batted my eyelashes. “Take me away, tour guide.”
“You got it.”
It was fun watching Kaiden expertly navigate the snow, plowing it away easily, his truck driving down the slick snow-covered roads without a hitch.
We spent the day plowing out lot after lot, road after road, stopping twice to let Junie out to go the bathroom.
Kaiden plowed the lot of Evergreen Books & Trinkets, the Pine & Petal Café, the Rusty Elk Tavern, and the Misty Mountain General Store. I had yet to try out the restaurants but had popped in the store from time to time, the older gentleman who ran it a big help with locating items in the store.
“Jack Gregory runs the store, he’s a great guy. Kind, helpful. Clara owns the cafe and her husband, Hank, owns the tavern. All great people and great food.”
“You’ll have to take me one day.”
“Are you asking me out on a date, Harper?”
I grinned sheepishly. “Maybe…”
“I’d be honored to. When the snow melts, I’ll take you to the Misty Mountain Lookout. Gorgeous views, especially during sunrise or sunset.”
“I bet. This town itself is beautiful. I can’t wait to see it bloom during spring.”
“You’re in for a treat.”
Around lunch time, Kaiden stopped back at his cabin where he fixed us a lunch of BLT sandwiches with potato chips on the side before we went back to plowing for the rest of the afternoon, leaving Junie behind this round.
When the sun began to set, I told Kaiden my address and he drove me to my cottage. A huge part of me didn’t want the day to end but there was my cat to think about and laundry waiting for me. I could also use a hot shower.
“Thanks for today, Kaiden. I had a great time. And for last night.”
“Anytime sweetheart. I had a nice time, too.”
Kaiden walked me to my door and wrapped his muscular arms around me, enveloping me in his warmth.
“When are you scheduled to work again?” He asked.
“In a couple of days.”
“Then I guess I’ll be seeing you sooner rather than later considering your car is still parked in my driveway.”
“Hopefully the snow melts. Otherwise, my car can stay right where it is.”
“I’ll have to start charging you.”
I laughed. “Can I pay you in the form of kisses?”
“How about a date instead? Tomorrow night?”
I looked up at him, his handsome face smiling down at me. “Like an official date?”
“Yes. An official date.”
“The answer will always be yes.”
Kaiden moved his head lower, bringing our mouths mere inches apart. “I like that answer. And don’t worry about driving in this snow. I’ll make sure you get wherever you need to go.”
“You don’t need to do that, Kaiden. I need to get used to driving in the snow if I’m going to live here long term and?—”
He placed one finger over my lips. “Shh. I take care of you now, Harper.”
I blinked in surprise. His possessive, alpha-ness made me weak in the knees. He could take care of me forever and I was sure I’d die happy. Before I could respond, his mouth was on mine, hot and demanding. I kept up with him, matching his intensity, as our kiss turned passionate.
Our tongues tangoed and explored and when his hands dropped to my waist, my legs almost gave out. The thought of his heated skin on mine drove me wild and I squeezed my legs together as he pressed my body harder against his.
When we broke apart, gasping for air, my mouth felt swollen once again and I rubbed my fingers over my plump lips, the skin tingling.
“Have a good night, Harper. I’ll pick you up tomorrow around six.”
All I could manage was a nod, my head still lost in the kiss, my whole body on fire and when he kissed the back of my hand and walked away, I didn’t move, until he climbed back into his truck and backed out of the driveway.
Once I got inside, Mr. Waffles ran over to me and I scooped him into my arms. “Hi buddy. I missed you.” He meowed and rubbed his head against my chin.
The feeling of a dreamlike state washed over me yet again and I wanted to pinch myself once more. Was I imagining the whole thing or did I really spend the past day and night in the company of the sexiest mountain man I ever laid eyes on?
Misty Mountain was turning out to be better than I expected.
Considering, I never once saw myself falling for a man I’d only just met.