Chapter 3
CHAPTER THREE
Ruby
After we located flashlights and candles, which there were plenty of since Gran was always prepared, we set ourselves up in the spare back bedroom. It had only one twin bed, but two extra cots served for backup. A small armchair was on one side of the bed with a nightstand on the other. A small flat-screen TV sat on a tall dresser, but unless the power came back, it looked like we’d be entertaining ourselves with small talk.
Or maybe…
I shut down the thought and ignored the heat pooling between my legs. It wasn’t my fault he oozed sex appeal, and he kept looking at me like he wanted to eat me for dessert. All night long.
Another rush of heat set my skin on fire. I needed a distraction, so I went in search of supplies. I found plenty of extra blankets and pillows in the closet and began setting up the cot.
“You don’t have to do that, Ruby.” His voice was low, an almost growl.
I smiled wide in hopes I didn’t start panting. “Did you think I’d make my guest sleep on the cot? You’ve got the bed tonight, silly.”
“That’s nonsense. I couldn’t take the bed from you. My mama raised me right, manners and all.” Austin sat in the armchair next to the bed. Kane lay down at his feet.
My cheeks flushed along with the rest of my skin. “If you’re sure…” I sat on the bed and pulled out my phone. “I need to text my customer real quick. Unfortunately, they won’t be getting their muffins tonight.” I quickly typed out a text and sent it. “I’ll have to make all new batches in the morning. I can’t give day-old muffins out even though they’ll still be good. It’s just not how Gran likes things done around here.” I slammed my mouth shut when I realized I was rambling all of my thoughts out loud.
“Are you saying you now have extra muffins?”
I laughed. “Well, I could sell them for half off tomorrow. But if you’re hungry…”
He nodded and licked his lips. “Muffins are my favorite. And I haven’t eaten dinner yet.”
I stood and so did the dog. “Okay, I’ll go get them.”
Austin took my hands in his, and I pulled back in surprise, the spark when our fingers touched unmistakable. I gasped and looked away. My cheeks burned something fierce. What the hell was this man doing to me?
Austin grinned, which didn’t help one bit. I only swooned harder.
“You sit. You worked all day. I’ll get them.”
Warm fuzzies exploded inside me. “Okay, they’re in the box on the counter.”
Of course, Kane followed him and back. I laughed as he jumped on my lap and licked all over my face.
“Kane, get down! She doesn’t want your slobber all over her face,” Austin said, and Kane listened. He hopped off and laid down at my feet. Instead of the armchair, Austin took Kane’s place and sat next to me. Our elbows bumped, and my arm vibrated.
I heard him breathe. Felt him move. Smelled his after shave. Saw his strong physique next to me. Now, I just needed a taste…
“Wow, this is delicious,” Austin said around a mouthful of muffin. “Dare I say better than your gran’s?”
“Shhh, don’t you dare let her hear you say that!” I picked up my own apple-cinnamon muffin and bit into the soft, sweet cake-like pastry.
“She’d be proud of you, Ruby. These muffins are really good. Actually, I’m pretty sure she already is.” He jabbed me in the side as he popped the last of his muffin in his mouth and grabbed another. Kane stared at both of us, ready for any possible crumb. “Do you like being back?”
“I do. I didn’t think I would, and honestly, I don’t know why. I think I got comfortable in the city. A good job, cheap apartment, and a nice group of friends. But I missed home. I missed Gran and the friends I grew up with. And there was no way I was letting her close down the place.”
“I get it. Probably why I never left my dad’s cabin after he passed. It’s my childhood. The place I last spent time with both of my parents before they were gone. I thought about selling the place, packing my shit, and getting the hell out of here. My mom’s been gone for years, so there isn’t much left for me here. But for some reason, I never worked up the courage to actually do it.”
“I’m sorry about your parents. I know how you feel.”
His warm hand covered mine. “I know you do. More so than me.”
I didn’t like to talk or think about the accident that stole both of my parents from me in one single moment. One single second of time and both were *poof* gone. Dead from a head-on collision with a semitruck. “It hasn’t been easy. I’m so thankful for Gran. I don’t know where I’d be without her.”
His fingers traced mine, and when our eyes met, I felt as if I was suspended in time. Only me and him. Him and me.
“She’s something special.”
“She sure is,” I whispered.
“I think her granddaughter is pretty spectacular, too.” His gaze dropped to my mouth and back up again. Slowly, very, very slowly.
My breath caught in my throat.
This wasn’t happening. It couldn’t be.
I barely knew him. Maybe my gran knew more, but basically, all I knew was what he just told me.
When his family moved to this town, they were quiet and kept to themselves. People talked. Small-town folks always did. But by then, I was lost in my own teen world and ignored town gossip. I didn’t pay any attention to who he was. I was too focused on moving to the city.
But now, here he was.
Smoking fucking hot.
And he was about to kiss me.
A sexy, fuckable, strong, buff mountain man.
My insides went haywire. My mind went blank.
Austin moved another inch closer.
My heart pounded so hard I thought my rib cage would break open.
His lips touched mine, and everything around us melted away. The pouring rain, the rumble of thunder, and the cracks of lightning.
All of it disappeared as our mouths molded together into one.
It made no sense, but I didn’t care.
Because it felt so right.