Page 56 of Harvest Brew With the Mountain Man
Smiling, I pull away as West scowls down at Nora. She shamelessly raises a brow, challenging him to argue.
He speaks against my bottom lip. “Come back quickly. We need to make Hero Fried Bologna’s debut.”
“He was serious about that?” Nora asks, her face cringing. She hates bologna.
West kisses me, then slaps my ass. “Return her to me in one piece, Graves.”
“She’s her own woman, Hunter. Perfectly capable of fending for herself.”
“Damn straight,” I agree, smiling, then winking at my gorgeous, sexy man.
“Wipe that stupid grin.” Nora’s grumpy.
I laugh. “Don’t take out your sexual frustration on me.”
She stays silent for a moment before huffing. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Whatever you say,” I giggle, bumping her hip with mine.
The Ridge booth has a collection of drinks, bar treats, and carved pumpkins. I’m still thinking of my punishment for West after making me carve almost twenty in the last week and a half.
Once everything at our table is running smoothly, I walk between the other booths, smiling and greeting people I grew up with or around. Not Jackie. I smile a big, fuck you, to Jackie and move on.
Jenkins warmly smiles from across the path, pride glowing on his face as his prized pumpkin, Big Betty, sits massively by his side, wearing a gold ribbon. I wave back before venturing past the Festival perimeter and head for the hillside.
The trees that change this time of year are in full autumnal force. The colors spread across the horizon like paint splattered on the canvas. I deeply inhale the late October crisp, still felt with the sun beaming high in the sky, its rays marking the valley below.
Home.
I jerk as arms wrap around me, but instantly, I know who they belong to. I lean back into his warm, strong body.
“What are you doing here?” I ask, my voice intimate.
Moving my hair off my neck, West kisses me, sending shivers down my body. “Missed my girl.”
I nudge his face with my cheek. “How are things at the Ridge?” I ask.
“A hit. I think business is going to be very busy this holiday quarter.”
“Good.”
West rests his chin on my shoulder, pulling my body closer. “Thank you, Nyx,” he whispers.
“For what?”
“For coming back home. For running into my bar that night. For reminding me of who I am and telling me I’m worthy to be loved by you.”
My eyes heat as tears well. “Hero,” I whisper, turning in his arms.
My sensitive boy. I caress his face as he, too, gets emotional. “You didn’t need me to get there, but I’m honored to be the one to remind you. You have such a beautiful heart, Hero. You’re so much more than people see. And I’ll continue to support and love every part of you. I am in love with you, West Hunter.”
“Move in,” he blurts.
My eyes open wide.
“Who are we kidding? We’re basically living together. Fuck if anyone thinks it’s too soon. That is, if you’re okay with wanting to be around me all the time. I promise to supply nightly orgasms.”
My chest shakes from laughter. “I promise to return orgasms. And I don’t care what anyone thinks. I like sharing space with you. Feels effortless.”
