Page 3 of My Bossy Mountain Man

It’s a miracle I’ve lasted this long without snapping. Four months of her laughter, her leaning into my space, her looking at me like I’m something worth seeing. Four more months of this?

Yeah. Sure.

I’ll keep lying to myself. Keep pretending I can survive on stolen glances and the ache of almost. Keep playing the careful boss, the unshakable wall between what I want and what I can’t have. But the truth?

The truth is a ticking clock, and every second I’m near her, the wall I’ve built between us has one terrible foundation. Enough that I’m already seeing the cracks. Cracks that are growing thicker by the day.

2

Tulip

The doorbell chimes, and I’m already halfway across the living room, bare feet skimming the hardwood in a rhythm just shy of a sprint. By the time I wrench the door open, my grin is wide enough to rival the mailman’s—a man who’s seen me like this more times than either of us can count.

“Third package this week,” he announces, holding out the cardboard box like a trophy. A few flyers and junk mail cling to it, doomed for the recycling bin the second I’m alone. Right now, they don’t exist.

I take the parcel, fingers curling around the edges. “Might be more to follow if I can’t help myself.” The words tumble out before I can stop them, but his chuckle tells me he gets it. I’m sure there are some folks out there who see him every day.

I’m not that bad.Yet.

With a wave, I retreat into my apartment, the door clicking shut behind me. The box weighs nothing and everything at once.All but skipping to my kitchen, I’m clawing at the strong tape, thankful that my package came right on time.

Pushing the flaps open, I’m pulling out one of the cutest summer dresses I’ve ever seen. It’s a two-piece that’ll show off a sliver of skin, hinting at what’s beneath. The fabric is so thin that it’ll easily withstand the summer breeze.

As much as I love Willowbrook Ridge, there isn’t any place here to get something cute that fits me. So, if it risks seeing the mailman every day, then so be it. Anything to get me toward my goal in life.

That goal being the task of making the grumpy librarian notice me. One of these days, I’m going to succeed. I can feel it deep in my bones.

Even if Dallas is way out of my league, and I risk losing the coolest job a woman can ask for, something in my stomach demands that I try.

I’ve never been near a person who just feelsright.As soon as I stepped into his library and saw him, I knew I had to meet him properly. I had to get to know him and uncover the secrets no one else knew.

Who am I kidding? As soon as I met those steel-colored eyes, I accepted that I’d met my future husband.That’show confident I am.

Have to say, it’s only his face that’s scary. The rest of him? He might as well be a stuffed teddy bear. So soft and warm. One I’d kill to get my arms around. Thighs, too, if he’d let me.

A giggle escapes me at the thought, but the clock yanks me back to reality.Shoot.Time to move. I’ll slip into this new piece, parade it past him like a dare.

Maybe this one will be the one to hook his attention and make those narrowed eyes linger just the way I want them to.

Or, even better, maybe he’ll scold me for wearing something so daring.

Most people fear the outcome of their boss being displeased with them. Me? I’m happy to soak in whatever new side of Dallas I can get my hands on.

With how good this dress is going to look, I know there’s no chance he’ll be angry. In fact, I’m willing to bet he’ll start drooling before whisking me somewhere we can both get plenty of privacy.

A sigh leaves me as I clutch the dress tightly.

A woman can only dream.

* * *

Pushing my way into the library, I’m thankful for the air conditioning hitting my flushed skin.

It turns out there’s a heat advisory going on, and I’m not the only one hoping for some relief from the heat wave happening outside. While warnings blare about staying indoors, I made the mistake of walking the whole way here with the thought of my crush fueling each step.

Now I think I’m ready to keel over and die. I’m too sweaty to be sexy. A few minutes under the cool air will get me right back to normal.

Arriving a little early, I take in my surroundings before I hunt down Dallas. Drifting toward the front desk, I dig around and hope to find something to drink. Thankfully, I forgot a bottle of water from my lunch a few shifts ago.

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