Page 4 of Mountain Man's Mail Order Temptress
“No. Not crazy or naïve.”
I looked down, fingers tugging at the edge of the blanket. “I wanted to be chosen for once. Not just picked over.”
His eyes stayed on me. I could feel the weight of them, like his gaze was holding me up.
“There’s something else,” I said, barely above a whisper.
“You don’t have to tell me anything you don’t want to.”
“I want to. I just haven’t said it out loud before.” I swallowed hard, then looked right at him. “I’ve never been with anyone. Like that.”
His brow furrowed, eyes narrowing slightly—not in judgment, but in what looked like surprise. “You’re a?—?”
I nodded once. “Still a virgin. Not because I’ve been waiting for the perfect man or anything. Just…no one’s ever made me feel like I was worth it. Until now.”
The air shifted between us. He didn’t say anything right away, just reached out slowly and brushed a loose strand of hair behind my ear.
“You are worth it,” he said. “Every bit of you.”
Something in me cracked open at that. Not in a bad way—more like light finally getting into a place that had been dark too long.
A low hum from the speakers cut through the quiet, signaling that the previews were about to begin. He grabbed the empty containers and set them aside, then helped me climb into the back of the truck.
We nestled into the pillows, close but not too close, his arm brushing mine as we adjusted under the throw blanket. The screen flickered to life, casting soft light across his profile, and Itook the moment to study him—his strong jaw and the way his lashes dipped when he blinked.
I still couldn’t believe this was real. That this man was real. I saw a small flash of something as he turned toward the screen. Nothing was playing on it yet, but he stared at it as though he was being entertained.
Then the movie began. I leaned into him, and he didn’t hesitate to shift closer—like we’d done this a hundred times before. Like we already belonged.
3
TREY
This date had been custom-designed for Lauryn. Her favorite dinner, her favorite movie, and a new experience in a small town.
But it was the best night of my life. And it wasn’t even over yet.
Her hand started moving on my stomach about an hour into the movie. It had taken everything in me to hold still and not let my own hand start wandering. Her movements froze me. Everything, even my breath, stilled completely. I didn’t dare breathe.
My arm was around her, but my hand had been resting on her shoulder as I fought the urge to start moving. To touch her everywhere. But my hand fell away when she shifted slightly, and I immediately missed the feel of her warmth beneath my fingertips.
I sucked in a breath when her hand moved lower, toward an area of my body that was definitely responding to every movement. Then she lifted the hem of my polo shirt and her warm, soft hand moved up my bare stomach. From her slow, methodical movements, it was clear her primary goal wasn’t toturn me on. No, she was exploring, discovering, and that turned me on more than I would have expected.
Once she’d explored every inch of my chest and stomach, she moved downward. I’d taken several breaths by then, but that had me sucking in a shallow, raspy breath. Hardly sexy, but I couldn’t exactly control myself at this point.
We were buried deep in the gigantic walls of my truck bed, so it wasn’t like the few surrounding vehicles could see us. But having people so close by had me aware that I needed to keep noise to a minimum.
Her fingers traced the waistband of my shorts, teasing the skin just beneath, sending a jolt of electricity straight through me. I swallowed hard, my pulse hammering in my throat as she hesitated—just for a second—before slipping her hand inside.
Fuck.
Her touch was tentative at first, brushing over the hard length of me through my boxers, her fingertips pressing lightly as if memorizing the shape of me. I bit back a groan, my fingers tightening on her shoulder. She wasn’t just touching me—she was learning me, and the thought of her curiosity, her innocence, made my blood burn hotter.
Then she dipped beneath the fabric.
Her skin met mine, and I hissed out a breath, my hips jerking involuntarily. Her fingers curled around me, warm and soft and perfect, and for a second, I forgot how to breathe.
“Lauryn…” My voice was rough, strained.
