Page 8 of Forever with the Mountain Man
"Touch me," she whispers against my mouth, and the words nearly undo me.
I lift her onto the new counter, stepping between her legs, and she wraps her arms around my shoulders. The position brings us closer together, and she gasps when she feels the evidence of my arousal against her thigh.
"You're so beautiful," I murmur against her throat, pressing open-mouthed kisses to her soft skin. "So perfect."
"Not perfect," she says, but her protest turns into a moan when I find the sensitive spot on her neck.
"Perfect for me," I correct, my hands sliding up her bare legs, bunching the fabric of her dress. "Made for me."
The possessive words slip out before I can stop them, but instead of pulling away, she arches into my touch.
"Yes," she breathes. "I’m yours."
The simple word strips away the last of my control. I capture her mouth again, kissing her with fifteen years of loneliness and want and need. She meets me kiss for kiss, her hands roaming my back, pulling me closer.
When we finally break apart, we're both breathing hard. Caroline's hair has come loose from its bun, tumbling around her shoulders, and her lips are kiss-swollen and beautiful.
Fuck, I think I’m in love.
five
Caroline
Ifloatthroughtheweekend on a cloud of pure happiness. Every time I think about Friday afternoon I get butterflies in my stomach.
I spend Saturday and Sunday setting up my classroom, and every surface Finn touched feels like a gift. The reading nook he built, the perfect height of the new counters, the way the electrical outlets are positioned exactly where I need them. He thought of everything, planned for needs I didn't even know I had.
By Sunday evening, my classroom is completely transformed. Colorful bulletin boards line the walls, the reading corner is filled with soft cushions and picture books, and learning centers are arranged to encourage both independent exploration and group activities. It's exactly what I envisioned, made possible by Finn's beautiful craftsmanship.
I take a photo and text it to him:Thank you for making my dreams come true.
His response comes back immediately:Beautiful. Like you.
I clutch the phone to my chest, grinning like a teenager with her first crush. Which, honestly, isn't far from the truth. I've dated before—college boyfriends, a few men Dad approved of—but I've never felt anything like this bone-deep certainty that I've found my person.
Monday morning brings the usual pre-school chaos. Teachers hurrying to make final preparations, custodial staff checking safety protocols,and the principal hosting a quick staff meeting to go over last-minute details.
"Classroom 12 looks fantastic, Caroline," she says during our brief walkthrough. "The contractor did beautiful work."
"He really did," I agree, trying to keep my voice professional despite the warmth spreading through my chest.
"We should have him back for the library renovation next summer," she continues. "Reliable contractors are hard to find."
The thought of Finn working here again, of having him close by for another project, makes me ridiculously happy. Maybe by then we'll have figured out what this thing between us is, where it's going.
Tuesday brings the first day of school, and I'm up before dawn putting finishing touches on welcome packets and checking my classroom one more time. Everything is perfect, ready for my twenty-two kindergarteners who will walk through that door in a few hours, nervous and excited and trusting me to make their first school experience wonderful.
During lunch break, I step outside to get some fresh air and find Finn's truck in the parking lot. My heart does a little skip as I spot him talking to Principal Martinez near the main entrance.
"Miss Cooper!" Principal Martinez calls out when she sees me. "Perfect timing. Mr. O'Sullivan was just telling me about some minor follow-up work needed in the administrative wing."
My stomach drops slightly. "Follow-up work?"
Finn's expression is carefully neutral, but I can see something in his shoulders. "Just a few loose ends. Nothing major."
"How long will that take?" Principal Martinez asks.
"Week or two at most."
