Page 9 of Courage of the Mountain
Tears well up in her gorgeous eyes, but she blinks them away before I’m sure I even saw them at all. The ache in my heart grows, as well as the need to be the one to remind her how amazing she is every single day.
“Thank you, Heath. That means a lot to me.” Her voice is soft but sincere.
I want to stay here next to her for the rest of the day, but I don’t really have a reason to be here in the first place. Still, I can’t leave her just yet. “Do you have any book recommendations for me?” I ask.
“Always.” Lily’s sadness is replaced with joy in an instant. She’s so damn resilient, but she doesn’t have to be in front of me. One day, she’ll understand that. “What do you normally read?”
“I’m into thrillers or a good mystery novel, but I think I want to try something new.”
“Oh? Like what?”
“What are you reading right now? I’m sure you have at least three books you’re jumping between.”
She grins at me. “You remembered.”
“Of course. I still don’t know how you’re able to hold all that information in your head at the same time. I’d get the names and plots mixed up after two chapters.”
Lily makes her way down one of the aisles, and I follow close behind. “That’s why you have to pick books from different genres. A non-fiction book, a fantasy book, and a…” She cuts herself off, but I’m far too curious to let it go.
“And…?”
Lily looks at me over her shoulder, her cheeks heated and eyes sparkling. Jesus, I have no idea what her thoughts are, but that look is giving me all kinds of wicked ideas.
“And a romance book,” she finishes. “Don’t worry, I won’t subject you to the romance section. The thrillers are right here.”
“I said I wanted to try something new, didn’t I?” I step up next to Lily, our shoulders brushing. She inhales and holds her breath, but doesn’t move away. In fact, she leans in closer, as if she craves my touch. God knows I crave hers.
Lily peers up at me, raising an eyebrow as she assesses my face. “You want to read a romance book?”
I nod.
“Sweet or steamy?”
It’s my turn to raise my eyebrows. “Steamy, of course,” I say with a wink. Her pink blush turns crimson, and fucking hell, I can’t wait to dive into whatever she recommends.
As much as I’d like to stay with Lily all day, I know we made a lot of progress, and I don’t want to crowd her space. She opened up to me, just a little. Just enough.
After ringing me up, we exchanged phone numbers, and now I’m back home. I spent all afternoon unpacking with renewed energy since talking with Lily. She loves this house, and I want it to be perfect the first time she comes over. Yeah, I’m already planning for when she moves in. But I’m getting ahead of myself.
I rinse off and settle down on the couch with the new book I bought. There’s a shirtless man on the cover with tattoos and a long beard. Not to brag, but I swear he looks kind of like me. I’m probably overthinking it, though.
An hour into the book, I’m surprised by a filthy scene between the two love interests. Lily said this was steamy, but good fucking god… Has she read this book? Did she picture me the same way I’m picturing her? I never thought I’d be into blindfolds and bondage, but these two may have just changed my mind.
Am I about to jerk off right here in my living room while thinking about tying my best friend’s little sister up in silk restraints? Hell, yes.
Right as I reach for my zipper, my phone buzzes.
“Fuck, not now,” I groan.
I peer over at the screen, my eyes widening when I see that the object of my desire is calling. A deviant smile curls the corners of my lips. Maybe I should ask her what she thinks about blindfolds.
“Lily?” I answer after another buzz.
“Heath.” Her voice is scratchy, as if she’s been crying or screaming. “I… I…” Lily bursts into tears, and I’m out of my chair in an instant.
“What’s wrong, sweetheart? Are you hurt? Fuck, I knew I shouldn’t have left you earlier.”
“I’m okay,” she says in the least convincing voice.
