Page 2 of Knocked up By the Mountain Man

“Well, I always aim to make an entrance.”

He sets me down gently, and I take a moment to steady myself, brushing off the imaginary dirt from my jeans. My heart is hammering against my ribcage as I try to calm myself down.

“You ready to get out of here?” Beau asks, his voice low and intimate.

I can’t help but get lost in the mischievous twinkle of his eyes.

“More than ever,” I reply, meeting his gaze.

I can’t wait to get the hell away from my family and the ceaseless arguing. It’s exhausting. He nods, and gestures toward his truck parked a few feet away. His fancy ass truck that Daddy brought for him. The Marshall’s are one of the wealthiest family in Silver Ridge, but that has nothing to do with why I like him. I just adore his sweet personality and his gorgeous face.

I’d like him no matter who he was.

We walk to the truck in a comfortable silence, which has me wondering if he can hear the thundering beats of my heart. Idon’t want Beau to know just how much of an effect he has on me. Especially because I’m sure he makes all the girls in town feel this way.

I want to stand out. Be different.

As soon as we get inside, Beau turns the ignition, and the engine roars to life. As I feel the truck vibrate, excitement floods my whole body.

Die a Happy Manby Thomas Rhett fills the silence.

“Ooh, I like this song,” I giggle. “You’re always playing this one.”

“Only for you,” he chuckles.

“Yeah, I bet you say that to all the girls.”

Beau grins as he shoots down the familiar roads towards his ranch. The fanciest place on the outskirts of town. I can’t even begin to imagine what it’d be like to live in a place like this. My uncle’s home is… the opposite.Everythingabout us is opposite. Yet, somehow, it feels like it works.

As the chorus hits, Beau starts singing along, his deep voice harmonizing with Rhett’s.

“If I never get to see the Northern lights, or if I never get to see the Eiffel Tower at night, oh, if all I got is your hand in my hand, baby I could die a happy man.”

My heart might as well be exploding violently in my chest. Damn I could easily fall in love with him. But the Marshall family are one of the oldest families in Silver Ridge, they’re not going anywhere and I can’t even begin to imagine staying here. It’s a nightmare, I need to get out as soon as I can.

I need to start again.

“Ooh, the barn?” I ask as we park. “Are we not going inside?”

I know his dad isn’t the kindest person. But we usually creep in through his bedroom window to hang out. Whatever this is, it’s different.

It’s exciting.

Beau turns to me, his grin widening. “I thought we’d have a little fun tonight. No worries about interruptions.”

He hops out of the truck and walks around to open my door, extending a hand to help me down. I take his hand, and the warmth of his touch sends a shiver down my spine. The electricity between us burns like crazy. I don’t know how the hell I’m going to contain myself today.

Inside, the barn is cozy, illuminated by soft, string lights that cast a warm glow over the space. A string of lights which I’m sure isn’t normally there, along with the picnic set up, a blanket, piled with a mound of pillows, and a small cooler.

“Ooh, it’s so nice,” I coo. “Did you set this up just for me?”

Uh oh. Should I have asked that? I don’t want to know if there’s anyone else in his life, even if I have to leave.

Beau smiles, clearly pleased with my reaction. “I wanted to make tonight special,” he says, guiding me to the blanket. “We don’t get many moments like this.”

That saddens me a little. I so wish we’d had more time together, but maybe it’s for the best. If I fall in love with Beau, then I’ll really be in trouble.

I sit down, and Beau joins me, his arm brushing against mine as we settle in. The closeness makes my skin tingle, and I can’t help but steal glances at him. His rugged handsomeness is even more striking in here. He’s making my pulse explode with desire.

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