Page 4 of Mountain Man's Merry Grumpmas
My eyes are locked on her peachy ass as I follow her up the slick front steps and into the tiny one-bedroom cabin. This is a terrible idea, but I don't have any choice. I'm not willing to risk her life just to remove temptation, so Merry fucking Christmas to me.
Truthfully, this is a hell of a lot better than anything Santa's ever brought me before.
Chapter three
Monroe
This was not how I intended to claim the cabin. Part of me wants to stomp my feet and refuse to leave, but I'm not completely insane, so I still need to figure out what to do for the next few nights. Tomorrow is Christmas Eve, and I guarantee everything is booked around here, but the prospect of heading straight home or spending Christmas in a hotel on the road makes me want to cry. Again.
"May I use your computer?" I ask, figuring I'm already crashing, I might as well be a complete nuisance about it.
"For what?" he asks, and I bristle, even though it is his computer. Drake's attitude has me furious, but even worse is how damn sexy he looks as he stands there holding my luggage and a large box like they weigh nothing more than a feather. I have never understood angry sex. Why would I want anybody touching me who makes me mad? Yet, if this grinch would let me, I'd climb him like a Christmas tree and jingle the shit out of his bells.
I squeeze my thighs together and swallow hard before answering.
"I thought I'd see if I can find anything else available for rent around here."
He hesitates and then nods toward his computer.
"Thank you," I say, and my nipples harden from his intense gaze.
I clear my throat and turn, placing Miranda's bakery box on the counter before I sit at the stool.
My first search is "The Hollywood"in Duhring Park. I could call Cora directly, but if she doesn't have anything available, I'm sure she will insist I stay with her or Addy, and I don't want to do that this weekend. They have their own Christmas traditions and a possible baby making an appearance. If I wanted to be uncomfortable, I would have gone to Dad's house.
I click on the first link, and images of the various cabins fill the screen. I burst into giggles when I see what she meant by themes earlier. It looks like the cabins are designed around movie genres. There is a romance-themed cabin that looks like cupid and a 70s porno had a baby—in a cool way.The Nightmare Before Christmastheme is front and center, but they also have a cabin decorated like that from the moviePsycho. The western-themed cabin looks fun, but then the sci-fi one is set on the moon, so that's amazing as well. But no openings that I can find.
"The Watsons’ place? They were probably booked out a year ago," Drake says, peering over my shoulder as he places the large box on the edge of the kitchen counter.
"Hmm, I think Cora said it was a family business. Did her parents start it?" I ask.
Drake nods and then turns abruptly to place my luggage near the bed. "I'll take the couch tonight."
"Oh, no. You don't have to do that. I'm fine on the couch. Thank you," I insist, jumping up. I was not expecting him to be such a gentleman after the way he barked at me earlier, so I'm flustered and flapping around like a pre-dinner Christmas goose.
Drake shakes his head. "I insist." He walks back toward me. "Looks like you had frozen food in here. Do you want me to put it away for tonight?"
I jump forward quickly, not wanting to inconvenience him, and I end up colliding with his side as he strides purposefully toward the box on the counter. Oh my God. He's a brick wall of glorious muscle.
"Oof! Sorry."
His strong hands are wrapped around my waist as he steadies me, and the heat from his touch is almost overwhelming. My breath catches when I look up into his eyes. If I didn't know better, I'd say this man is interested in me. My lips part, and my breathing picks up. He leans close to me, and I keep my eyes on his mouth.
Is he going to kiss me? Am I going to let him?
Then the spell is broken as he steadies me, quickly removing his hands and taking a large step back.
He reaches for my box of supplies, bringing it closer to him, and I scoot the baked goods out of the way. His gaze lands onThe Reading Groundslogo, and he pauses.
"You came up through Duhring Park?" Drake asks, motioning toward the bakery box.
I turn to him excitedly, still flustered, and grateful for something to break the awkward tension. "Yes. What a great place. It reminds me a lot of home to be honest. Have you had the cake?"
"No." He shakes his head and then moves away quickly, his arms full of frozen pizzas as he heads to the freezer.
"Oh. Well, it's delicious. I'm happy to share it with you. Miranda gave me a huge slice." I glance at him, but he has his head hidden behind the freezer door. "How did you know aboutThe Hollywood?"
Drake closes the freezer and leans back against the wall, eyeing me. "I grew up in Duhring Park."
