Page 5 of The Mountain Man Bidder

I shrug, feeling heat crawl up my neck. “Lucky guess.”

She laughs, and it’s the kind of laugh that settles in your chest and makes everything else seem less important. “You’re full of surprises, Pete.”

She has no idea.If only she knew how many nights I’ve lain awake, replaying every conversation we’ve ever had, every smileshe’s ever thrown my way, wondering if a world exists where the two of us can be together. But I’m just the guy who lives alone on the mountain, and she’sStella. Smart, kind, beautiful Stella, who fits in with the people of Hawks Roost like a puzzle piece. And no matter what I do, I’ll neverfit.

But maybe I can fit with her? Even if I don’t fit with all the rest?

We sit side by side, eating and talking about everything and nothing. She tells me about a new mystery series she’s reading, her eyes lighting up as she describes the twisty plot. I tell her about the bobcat tracks I saw near the creek last week, and she listens like it’s the most fascinating thing she’s ever heard. For a man who rarely says anything to anyone, it’s a rare thing.

It’s a fucking miracle is what it is.

“You know,” she says after a while, leaning back on her hands, “I don’t think I’ve ever been on a picnic before. Not like this, anyway.”

“Seriously?” I ask, surprised. “How’s that possible?”

She shrugs, her gaze drifting to the horizon. “I guess I’ve always been too busy. Or maybe I just never had the right person to go with.”

Her words hang in the air between us, and I’m not sure if it’s the moment or my imagination, but there’s something in her tone that makes my pulse quicken. I’m not a bold man by nature, but sitting here with her, watching the light fade and the stars begin to peek out, I feel like maybe… just maybe… I could be.

“Stella,” I say, my voice low. She turns to look at me, her eyes steady and warm, and it’s like the whole world narrows down to just her. “I’ve been wanting to do this for a while. Spend time with you, I mean. Like this.”

Her lips curve into a soft smile, and she tilts her head, studying me like I’m one of her favorite books. “I’m glad you did, Pete. This is nice.”

Nice.It’s not the grand declaration I’ve been hoping for, but it’s enough to keep me going. I don’t need much, just the chance to sit here with her and dream about what could be. And as the stars come out in full, blanketing the sky in twinkling specks of silver, I realize I’m already the luckiest man alive just to be here, sharing this moment with her.

But that doesn’t mean I don’t wantmore.I want to plant my lips on hers and kiss her until we’re both breathless. “Stella—” I say, my voice strangled.

She turns to face me. “Yeah?”

I’d meant to ask for permission. To make sure that shewantedto be kissed before I plundered her mouth with my tongue. But as soon as her eyes meet mine, all resolve goes out the window.

She gasps in surprise as my mouth meets hers, but when my tongue slides over hers, she twists her hands into my shirt, yanking me closer. I press against her, pushing her down against the blanket until I’m laying on top of her.

She’s perfect. . . so fucking perfect.

Stella spreads her legs and my hips grind down, letting her feel how hard my cock is. She moans, lifting her hips to meet mine, and I moan right along with her. We’re dry-humping like teenagers and it’sfucking amazing.

I could take her. Could claim her. Right here, right now. I’m sure of it.

But you paid for this date, a nagging voice says in the back of my mind.It wouldn’t be right. What if she feels like a hooker afterward?

With every ounce of willpower I possess, I break the kiss, rolling us over so I can spoon her. With my erection pressed against her bottom, she can have no doubt how much Iwanther. . . how much Ineedher. But for now, I’ll be stronger than I’ve ever been in my life.

I’llwait.

“Stella?” I whisper.

“Y-yeah?” she asks, still breathless.

I nuzzle my face into her hair. “How would you feel about a second date?”

Chapter 6

Pete

The fire crackles inthe stone hearth, casting flickering shadows across the rustic wood-paneled walls of my cabin. The scent of roasted rabbit and garlic and herbs fills the space. I glance over at the table I set—flickering candles, two plates, and a bottle of expensive red wine.

It’s my intention to make this second date even better than the first. If all goes well, I’m claiming her—all of her—for my own tonight. I have no doubt that we’ll fit together perfectly in bed, but there’s a part of me that’s nervous about Stella being in my cabin.

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