Page 32 of My Wild Mountain Man

“Raven.” The warning was clear, and for some reason, it made me laugh. His gaze softened and his hand rose and brushed a stray strand of hair behind my ear. “What are you doing tonight?”

“I have a hot date with two of my favorite guys.” I smirked, and his brow rose. “Ben and Jerry,” I shared. “And a new book.” I lifted the bag between us. “Well, probably a couple of books.” I pointed to the shop behind us.

“Lucky book and ice cream.” He rested his forehead against mine, and for a moment, we just stared at one another. He had somewhere to be, and we both had a huge decision to make. Who was I kidding? He had an important one to make.

“You should come to my place,” I quickly blurted before I changed my mind.

“What?”

“I know what I want, Bash. If all I can have are the next three days with you, I’ll take them.”

“Rave,”

“But you should come to me. Come by my house, I mean. Because honestly…” My gaze dropped to the ground. But a moment later, the tips of his fingers carefully tipped my chin upward.

“Because why, Raven?”

“You’re the one that needs to be sure.” My voice softened. “If Onyx—“ I swallowed hard, guilt eating at me for even thinking of jeopardizing their friendship. “If my brother finds out, I’m honestly not sure how he’ll take it. You have more to lose than I do.”

“He’d be mad at both of us,” he noted, and I nodded.

“You’re right. He would be. But I’m his sister. Eventually, he’d have to get over it. You two have a thriving business and a lifelong friendship.” I swallowed.

“Would you care?” he asked.

“What do you mean?”

“Would you care if he got pissed?” My brows bunched together.

“Of course, I would. I don’t want you two to fight––“

“No, I mean, if this was more than a little fling? If you and I could try and see if we had what it takes to make it work, would him not talking to me make you not want to be with me?”

“No,” I answered without having to think it over. “I’d want this. I mean…” I chewed my bottom lip, and his eyes dropped to it, turning his gaze molten. “I mean, in case you weren’t sure.”

“Fuck, pretty girl,” he groaned, pulling me against him, wrapping those strong arms of his around me and hugging me tighter. “You’re too good for me.”

“That’s not true,” I spoke into his chest. “You’re a good man. A little wild but good, nonetheless.” His hold on me tightened.

“I’ll see you soon,” he whispered against the top of my head. I felt him kiss my hair before pulling back. “Be safe getting home today, yeah?”

“Always,” I whispered. His hand found mine, and before I knew it, almost like I was floating on air, he led me to the front of the bookstore.

“Text me when you get home,” he gently ordered, and somehow, I didn’t feel the need to roll my eyes. How could I when he looked at me that way? With genuine concern and care.

“Okay,” I agreed all too easily.

“See you soon,” he promised again and opened the door for me. I stepped away from him, and the cool air from the air-conditioned bookstore felt like a relief against my overheated skin. I turned and watched as he waved one last time before he shut the door, then turned to walk towards his truck.

I forced myself to smile at the cashier, who said hello, and looked around. I wanted to chase after him and get back in his arms or cuddle up on his lap. I could picture the future together so easily.Too easily. Too naively.

I found the romance section and looked at book after book, hoping something would catch my eye while I tried not to be stuck too deep in my thoughts even though I knew I would be diving into the one he’d bought me, even if I had already read it or not.

I’d always told myself I wouldn’t be one of those girls who wore their heart on their sleeve. That I’d be a tough nut to crack. A woman a man had to chase and earn. Like a super cool heroine in one of the books I read.

But reality looked a lot different. Agreeing all willy nilly to anything the man of my dreams wanted from me and didn’t feel any remorse about it.At least not yet.

See you soon.His words replayed over and over as I added one book after another to my pile to buy.See you soon.He hadn’t said he’d come over. For all I knew, that kiss had been the last one.

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