The Mountain Man’s Desires (Mountain Men of Appleridge #3)

Chapter 1

CHAPTER ONE

Shane

I kissed her.

I kissed her, and now, she hated me.

Well, really, I barely grazed her lips before she jerked backward like I stung her.

My heart cracked at her reaction. What the fuck was I thinking?

Except I knew exactly what I was thinking. I’ve pushed these feelings down for so long. How much more could I take?

Apparently, I was all wrong. Because when I kissed her right outside her brother’s house on his doorstep, her cheeks turned pink, and her mouth dropped open. She jumped back and almost dropped the bouquet she was holding.

I’d known Lena my entire life. I’d loved her since we were kids. Even when she was only twelve and I was fifteen, and I knew Graham would kick my ass. Yet I hadn’t ever seen her look at me like she was right now.

Like she couldn’t believe what I did.

My breath caught in my throat. Say something, you idiot. My chest rose and fell quickly, keeping pace with the wild beat of my heart.

Lena opened her mouth. I braced myself for her sharp, sassy attitude, the one I loved so much. It never came.

Instead, she spun on her heel and walked inside, slamming the door in my face.

Fuck.

Graham knew we were coming here together. In fact, he sent us racing around town this morning, picking up flowers and a cake from Ruby’s bakery. I knew he’d ask questions if Lena walked in alone, so I had no choice.

With a deep breath, I pushed forward, my mind replaying the morning with Lena like a movie reel. We had so much fun, laughing and singing songs in my truck. Drinking hot cocoa and complaining about bossy Graham. As I shut the door behind me, there he was. I braced myself for his questions.

Thankfully, he was too caught up in his own proposal and put me to work.

The next couple of hours were painful.

It was hard ignoring Lena while watching my best friend ask the love of his life to marry him.

I wanted to be the one proposing to the love of my life.

Lena.

How was I going to convince her?

How was I going to convince Graham?

Because there was no way I could convince myself to move on without her.

And I couldn’t bear the thought of losing both of them.

Instead, I suffered in silence.

But that silence…it was growing impatient.

* * *

“Can we talk for a second?” As I followed Lena out to her SUV, I stared at her perfect round ass, her tight jeans hugging every curve. And fuck, does she have a lot of them. What I’d give to caress each one…

“What about? I’m kind of in a hurry.” Lena clicked her key fob, opened the door, threw her bag in, and started the engine. She had met me here this morning before we ran errands in my truck. Now I wished I’d picked her up so I could drive her home.

When she turned back to face me, she crossed her arms over her chest and rolled her lips in. I knew she was trying to hide that gorgeous smile of hers. She couldn’t stay mad at me for long.

“Where are you going? We’re supposed to get more snow tonight.”

Lena gave me a murderous look, and my dick twitched. Damn her and her spiciness. “I already have one overprotective guy in my life. I don’t need two.”

I half growled, half laughed, but it sounded more like a snicker. She narrowed her eyes. Goddamn, could she get any sexier? “You’ve never only had one, Lena.”

She pulled her hat down farther, her bouncy curls peeking out. Even in the cold weather, she wore a long floral dress. She had on her usual flannel leggings and faux fur boots, a sweater, and a long knee-length jacket as well.

My sexy, curvy librarian. I loved the fact she ran Appleridge’s library. The countless fantasies I had, fuck, I couldn’t help myself.

“I need to stop by the library and set up for tomorrow’s story time.”

“Why don’t I take you? The roads are bad.”

“I’ll be fine, Shane. We grew up around here, remember? It’s not like I’ve never driven on these roads before. Snow and all.”

I knew the extra attitude was about the kiss. Or my failed attempt at one. It only made me crave her more.

“You’ve made your point. But listen, about earlier…it was a mistake, and I’m sorry.” I almost choked on the lie. I hated lying, especially to her, of all people. I’d never lied to her before this, but I needed to fix what I screwed up. If I couldn’t have her the way I wanted, then I at least needed her in some way. A friend at the very least.

One I’d fantasize about every chance I got…

“A mistake?”

“Yeah, the kiss. Or attempt at one, I should say. I don’t know what I was thinking.”

“Really, Shane?”

Fuck. Women made no fucking sense.

I should’ve shut the fuck up right then and there. But of course, I didn’t. My foot was designed to fit in my mouth. “Yeah, I mean, we’re friends, and the last thing I want is to complicate anything.”

“I’ve gotta go. Have a good night.” She climbed into her car and shut the door. Before I had a chance to protest, she threw it in reverse, backed out of the driveway, and took off.

How the hell did I make such a mess of things?

I glanced back at Graham’s house, but there was no sight of him. I breathed a sigh of relief. The last thing I needed was for him to come out asking questions. Reluctantly, I climbed into my cold, lonely truck and headed home to my chickens.

At least they’d keep me company tonight.