Page 6 of Winning with the Mountain Man
“I’d do it again to spend more time with you.”
“Really?” I grinned, loving this flirty side of her. It made me feel giddy inside, like a little kid.
“Of course, Hudson.” She elbowed my side playfully, and as she went to jab again, I caught her elbow in my hand. The connection of skin sent flames up my arm, and I inhaled sharply. If touching her elbow caused such a strong reaction, what would it be like to touch her in other places? I shifted on my feet and prayed my dick didn’t thicken beneath my jeans.
“Go out on a date with me.” The words rushed out before my body could physically find a way to stop them. Believe me, it would find a way.
Carina looked down at my hand still holding her elbow, and looked back up again, her tongue darting out to wet her lips.
Moments of silence felt like years stretched between us. Maybe I shouldn’t have asked. Maybe I overstepped. Maybe we’re too different in too many ways…
“Yes, I’d love to. But I have one question.”
“Ask away.”
“Gruff isn’t coming, right?”
I laughed loudly, and the sound surprised me. Was she rubbing off on me already? “Don’t worry, he’s not invited.”
Carina grinned so big, her whole face lit up. “Good. Then it’s a date.”
CHAPTER FOUR
Carina
One date turned to two,and soon, we were spending all our free time together.
The first night, he dropped me off at my door and leaned in to kiss me, a moment I’d fantasized about for weeks.
His lips pressed against mine, soft and gentle at first, loosening us both up and getting a feel for each other before the kiss became intense and passionate. When he walked away, he left me dizzy and spellbound. We kissed for longer and longer every night until we had a full-blown make-out session. The kind you have in high school—young, dumb, and full of hormones with hands and mouths and groans flying every which way.
I doubted I’d resist much longer.
Gruff spent his time outdoors or in a gated room with a bone while I was over, and Sunny, my cat, was growing on Hudson even though he’d never admit it. But I saw how excited he was to give him a few treats.
We’d stroll through Apple Falls, hand in hand, the town gossipers going nuts with the news. While nothing was official, it certainly felt that way, and it was fun to go along with it.
I handed Hudson a plate with a slice of lasagna, a lasagna I made myself, along with a tossed salad and some garlic bread. “Hope you like it. It’s my secret recipe.” I grinned. It wasn’t a secret per se. Google had a million recipe options for the same dish, but Hudson didn’t need to know that.
“Lasagna? Wow. This must’ve taken you all day.” Hudson sat down with his plate and handed me a piece of garlic bread from the basket before placing one on his own plate.
“Yes. I was a slave to the stove. You should rub my feet.” I sat down across from him and began serving us salad.
“Oh, I’ll rub your feet alright. I’ll rub anything you want.” Hudson’s eyes darkened, and I shifted in my seat. We’d only kissed so far, but I was ready to take us to the next level. I’m pretty sure he was ready too.
“Maybe I’ll be your dessert tonight.”
“Is that a promise?” His hand squeezed my knee beneath the table, and I shivered.
“Behave,” I teased.
“Never.”
“So what was your childhood like?”
“Quiet. Lonely. My mom died during childbirth, so it was always just him and me. He worked a lot, so I was often home alone after school. Sometimes the weekends. He did what he could.”
“Do you keep in touch with him now?”
