Page 3 of Obsessed and Naughty Mountain Man

I let him lead me, grateful for the release of pressure on my feet. We plop down together side by side, legs stretched out and nearly touching. Strange, I’ve never sat on the floor in one of the aisles before. The shelves look enormous from down here…

“Sorry, I just…” I exhale and meet his gaze. “I’ve never seen you in here before. We don’t get a lot of new folks, so I’d remember you.”

“I’d definitely remember you.”

That smile and that fantastic glint in his eyes makes my heart jump out of my chest. Am I brain-dead, or is he actually flirting with me?

He holds out a rough hand. “Lucas Stone.” Wow, even his name sounds adventurous…

“Luna Mills.” His callouses tickle my palm. “Everyone around here calls me Miss Luna… well, I guess they’re mostly children.”

“That makes you sound old.”

I laugh nervously. “I’m twenty-six. I am old.”

“Seriously? I’m thirty-eight. That makes me ancient.”

Have I just discovered some secret yearning for a hot older man? This was supposed to be a normal freaking day in the library…

In the distance, Ellie groans, “You’re both old! Can you please be quiet?”

Lucas and I share our first subdued snicker, and, God, does it feel just right. He even leans into me, brushing his arm against mine—I can’t stop my toes from curling.

His blue eyes seem to notice, stealing a glance down my legs before meeting my gaze again. He speaks in a hushed voice, “I’m visiting my brother, Brock. You probably call himChief Stone, like everyone else around here.”

“The fire chief is your brother?” Before I can even think, I whisper, “he’s kind of an asshole.”

Lucas just sighs and nods. “You’re telling me. I grew up with the guy. Hestillrides my ass. It’s tough when your older brother is a well-respected member of his community, and you’re a bum rock climber who won’t settle down.”

“Rock climbing? Is that why you wrecked my wilderness section?”

“Guilty.” He smiles. “Brock’s lucky he lives in the mountains, or I’d probably never visit. The Rockies have some amazing climbs. Local libraries always have maps and info you won’t find online.”

I’m already sweating thinking about being up that high.

“That soundsterrifying. Seriously, I don’t do heights.”

“Oh, it’sawesome.” Lucas lights up, somehow beaming even brighter. “There’s nothing like it. Sure, during a climb, it can be scary as hell. It sometimes feels impossible. But once you make it, once you reach the top and look down at the world, you feel like you can doanything.”

Something about talking to him feels soeasy. A minute ago, I was a bundle of nerves. All that anxiety has vanished like snow melting on a warm afternoon. I feel myself being drawn in by his words.

Literally, I’m leaning toward him.

“When you put it like that,” I whisper, “it sounds kinda nice.”

Luca’s foot brushes mine. We both tense.

Now I can really smell the wood-burned smoke on him. It makes me feel cozy and warm.

He runs his tongue behind his lip, looking like he’s about to take a leap or do something crazy before he smiles and pulls back.

“Why don’t you come climbing with me?” he asks. “Tomorrow morning. It’s Sunday, so I know you’re not working.”

His directness stuns me for a moment.

“Sorry,” he laughs. “Is that weird? I don’t mean to corner you. I just… I’d love to spend the day with you. I’d love to show you what I mean.”

Seeing him again feels like such a necessity that I’m half-willing to brave my primal fear of heights. I shake my head, nod, laugh, and throw my hands up. “Couldn’t I come but just watch you climb?”

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