Page 14 of The Mountain Man's Mail Order Temptation
Staying here would give me time to come up with another plan. Or, if I give in to the hope trying madly to bubble up in my chest, time to get to know this scary, sexy mountain man. “Are you sure?”
“Perfect Pairings says you’re mine until we decide otherwise?”
I nod. “We’re supposed to have a week to decide if we can make a future together.”
“Then we need more food and baking supplies.”
A place to stay and baking supplies? My heart soars, and I beam at him.
Anson traces my lower lip with his thumb, staring at my mouth.
I want him to kiss me. I want to taste him and make him moan. That’s my new mission. I want Anson Blackwood, and I’m going to make him mine.
He slowly drops his hand and steps back, clearing his throat. “Let me get dressed, and we’ll take a ride into town.”He disappears into his room.
The moment he’s out of sight, I do a little shimmy in excitement. Muffins and cookies are calling my name, and I’m going to kiss Anson Blackwood.
CHAPTER SEVEN
ELLIE
If Anson regretsletting me stay longer, he isn’t showing it. Even though I’ve chatted his ear off the entire drive down the mountain about ingredients and things I want to bake and how to better organize his kitchen once he actually has food to put in it.
One side of his mouth is curled up, almost like he’s fighting a smile.
Me? I’m fighting a fist pump. Everything looks brighter. This day, the sun in the sky, the adorable little town that looks straight out of a Hallmark movie… it’s all beautiful. I could live here and be happy forever. Especially if I can crack the grumpy mountain man armor and learn something real about this man. Because as much as I like his protective qualities and his sexy as sin body, I need more.
“What’s your favorite? Muffins or cookies?” I ask as the mountain road evens out.
“Both.”
That doesn’t help. “Blueberry or chocolate chip muffins?”
He flicks a glance at me. “Both.”
“Oatmeal raisin or chocolate chip cookies? Wait, don’t say it. Both.”
“I’m not picky.”
“Were you raised by bears and human food is a new adventure for you?”
He snorts. “Wolves. Not bears.”
I grin. “Chocolate chip it is.”
I’m making a mental list of groceries when he quietly says, “Dottie helped raise me.”It’s the first time he’s offered anything personal about himself.
I knew Dottie was his grandmother from our conversation yesterday, but she raised him? “You lived with Dottie and didn’t turn to a life of crime?”
His lips twitch. “It was close. My parents are still around. They’ve always been exacting with my sister, Avery, and me. Especially when I was an angry, rebellious teen. After I got into trouble a few times, they sent me to live with Dottie for a summer. That summer turned into a year. Then two. I had the option to go back home, but I didn’t want to be forced into law school like my dad wanted. Avery stayed with us for a while too. She was much younger and easier to deal with, so I guess I was Dottie’s main project.
“I gave her hell during those years, but she handled it like she does everything else. She bribed me with cookies, gave me hugs, and turned into a drill sergeant ordering me to stop being a brat.” The fondness in his voice is unmistakable. “She’s the reason I joined the military. We watched a movie about Navy Seals once after the cops brought me home. She said I was tough enough to be one. I remember scoffing at the idea. They seemed so badass.”
“She baited you.”
“Yeah. She said I was right. I couldn’t stay out of trouble long enough to finish school, so how could I be a SEAL? She couldn’thave laid down a bigger dare to a rebellious kid. I wasoffended. Played right into her scheme.”
“Did you become a SEAL?” God, no wonder he is ripped. He bench-lifted boats.
