Festive Decorating with the Mountain Man (Christmas in Appleridge #6)

Chapter 1

CHAPTER ONE

Nash

No one would guess that I loved Christmas. At least not when first meeting me.

In the small town I lived in, the rumors pinned me as a grumpy, cold guy who liked to be left alone.

Did I try to change it?

Nope.

Because I did like to be left alone. Besides my group of buddies, I played cards with or shot hoops with, I kept to myself. My online business kept me busy, and I enjoyed fixing up my old cabin.

But honestly? I loved Christmas.

While I didn’t decorate a bunch, I liked the peaceful quietness of the season. I enjoyed seeing family and friends and giving gifts.

And what I loved most? Drinking a cup of coffee by the twinkly lights of the tree.

So why did any of this matter?

Because last month, a woman moved into the cabin across the street. A woman who apparently loved Christmas. Let me explain.

It had been vacant for months, repairs slowly being done on it, when finally, a for rent sign was placed out front.

Of course, the sexiest woman I’d ever seen rented the place. Her curves went on for days and long chestnut waves hung down her back. My imagination ran wild with what she might look like up close, or smell like, or hell even taste like.

I had yet to catch her in passing, but not for lack of trying. A part of me begged me to go knock on her door, to put myself out of the misery I’d created, but instead I wondered about her from across the street.

That was until her Christmas decorations came out to play.

I watched her from my kitchen window, coffee mug in hand, as she strung light strand after light strand, wrapped them around trees and bushes, and set up figurines on the lawn.

She hung icicles from tree branches and stuck signs in the ground, turning her front yard into a magical Christmas wonderland.

She loved Christmas.

Something inside me shifted.

And it was on that day, I knew that woman was something special. Now I needed to know why.

Dodging her for the past month was over. And while I couldn’t explain it if I tried, besides seeing she obviously loved Christmas, the fierce need to meet her took over my thoughts, all-consuming and pulling me under.

Before I could talk myself out of it, I pulled on my boots, jacket, hat, and gloves, and walked out my side door, down my driveway, not stopping until I reached her fence.

“Nice decorations, neighbor.”

The woman visibly jumped, dropping the light up candy cane from her gloved hands. A hand flew to her chest, and she gasped. “Shit. You scared me.”

“Sorry. I was admiring your decorations from my window, and I wanted to come over and introduce myself. I figured it was time we met. Name is Nash.” I held out a hand, and she placed hers in mine. Tingles ran up my arm- how? Our skin didn’t touch.

Imagine if it had…

“Aubrey. Nice to finally meet you neighbor. I figured you’d introduce yourself when you were ready to.”

“When I was ready to? So, I take it you heard the town lore about me.”

Her cheeks flushed, and she looked away quickly before returning her eyes to mine. “No…I didn’t mean…”

I scowled, but a laugh took over, one I couldn’t hold back. “Relax, it’s okay. I know the reputation I have. But keeping to yourself doesn’t necessarily mean you’re a grump. I wish people understood that.”

“Ah, the old classic. If you’re quiet and shy, you must be a meanie, right?”

I laughed again. “A meanie? I don’t think I’ve heard that word since first grade.”

Now it was Aubrey’s turn to laugh. “You know what I mean.”

“Granted, I’ve been told I grumble more than I smile, but life’s a bitch. Am I right?”

“You’re right, it is. But I try to focus on the positives. Like decorating.”

“Ha. So, I take it you like Christmas?”

Aubrey nodded before walking over to pick up the candy cane that fell. My eyes fell to her ass as it swayed back and forth. Fuck, she was hot. My dick stirred to life.

Calm down there, fella.

“Maybe a little.” A smile played on her sexy lips.

“I’d say a lot more than a little. Though, to be honest, this is nothing compared to some decorations I’ve seen.”

“Really?” She raised an eyebrow as she looked at me with suspicion. “You’ve seen more than this?” She waved her arm around at her lawn, nearly every inch covered.

“Oh yeah. I mean, yours are quite over the top,” I teased. “But I’ve seen some wild displays. Here on the mountain, some people go nuts with it.”

Aubrey placed the candy cane down and walked over to me. Her scent hit me first, a mixture of sweet apple and honey, and my dick twitched.

It’s better than I ever could’ve imagined.

Our eyes met, hers a golden brown with flecks of green, her eyelashes perfectly curling around the almond shapes.

Aubrey was stunning.

And I could feel my world giving way, falling apart around me, as I could no longer imagine it without her in it.

Every part of me ached to kiss her. To touch her, to taste her, to make her mine.

But I didn’t want to scare her away. No, not when we only just started talking.

“So does the scrooge like Christmas?” Aubrey asked as she glanced over my shoulder. She sucked her bottom lip in, and it popped back out with a loud smacking sound.

“Scrooge, hmm? Do I look like a scrooge?”

Her eyes sparkled. “Maybe, maybe not. But your house certainly does.”

We both laughed, and it was like music to my ears. I don’t think I’ve laughed this much in a long time. Not the way I did with her.

I shrugged. “You’re right though. I need something.” I scratched my chin as an idea popped into my head, my sudden heady passion for her fueling my competitive side. The one I tried to keep hidden.

“I could help you if you’d like.”

I smirked. “I think I can handle it. How about I challenge you?”

“Challenge me? What?”

“To a decorating contest. Best lawn wins.”

“Wins what exactly?”

“Smart woman. Always ask the prize.”

“And who is judging?”

“It’s just for fun. We can judge each other. And no crazy prizes. How about title of best Christmas lawn display?”

“You know…” Aubrey tapped her lip as her words trailed off. “I hate to admit it, but I have a competitive side, and my decorations could use an upgrade. You sure you want to challenge me?”

I stepped closer, my brain involuntarily needing her delicious scent, like a druggie needing his fix. How we got here, I’d never be able to explain it, but here we were.

I wanted her.

I wanted a good competition.

“Yes. One week. Decorate your heart out, Aubrey.” I said, before turning and walking away without another word.

It was time to show her and the town just how much I really loved Christmas.