Page 2 of Candy Kisses with the Mountain Man
Jackson
Christmas is nothing but trouble. People racing around looking for last minute presents. Kids screaming, parents on edge and now this damn festival means strangers passing through. As a Deputy Sheriff it’s my job to manage them all and try to keep the peace.
It’s who I am, it’s what I’ve always done. First as an older brother, then the army, now I look after this town. A life lived outside looking in. While others get to let loose, I’m the responsible one making sure they don’t get hurt.
I came in here to enjoy a quiet drink at the end of my shift. But the girl with curly brown hair in a pink sweater caught my attention the moment she sat down. She’s all bright blue eyes and cheeky smiles. Bright and cheerful. And when she takes a sip of her crazy drink her whole face lights up as she lets out a happy laugh.
She is fascinating to watch and something in me needs to get to know her better. I also don’t like the way she smiles at my brother. Jasper has been known to hook up with girls from the bar. But not this beauty. She is something else. Something special.
I don’t want to see her hurt. This sweet thing can’t end up being just another conquest for my brother.
I found myself needing to get closer. Needing to know more about her. Even just to discover how one person can literally shine with joy and happiness. The grouch in me was reaching out to her like she could magically heal some long forgotten wound.
It is crazy, but two Whiskey’s has me acting instead of questioning these feelings. As I introduce myself I find my gaze drawn to her mouth. There is something sexy in the way she talks, offering little glimpses of her tongue with each word.
“I’m in town for the Christmas festival.” Her eyes shine bright, her smile is genuine. I want to reach out and touch her but hold myself back.
“Old Jack’s not big on Christmas.”
I send Jasper a glare. I don’t need or want his interference right now.
But the girl smiles directly at me. “If you need some Christmas spirit, maybe I should buy you one of these?”
I make a face of disgust. “Too sweet for me I think.”
Jasper shakes his head and walks off to see to his other customers.
“The sweeter the better is my motto.” I like that she has a sweet tooth. It’s kind of adorable and suits her name and her pink sweater. She’s got some curves under that sweater and I have an imagine of feeding her sweet cakes in bed on a Sunday morning.
“How come you don’t like Christmas?” She asks.
I have my reasons. I like things to be routine and ordered and Christmas is messy and madness. But sitting this close to Candy has me thinking my life could do with a little messy. Maybe I could be the one to have the fun, instead of worrying about everybody else all the time.
I give a shrug. “It’s all too commercial. Just a ploy to make people spend more money.”
“No, come on. There is something magical about this time of the year. There must be something you like about it?”
She leans forward, a cheeky look in her eyes like she is determined to crack my hard shell. “Presents?”
“Nope.”
“Tinsel and babbles?”
“No.” I crack a smile. Her sheer determination is firing my blood.
“A Christmas tree?”
My smile widens. I do like a Christmas tree.
She practically jumps in her seat. A big grin on her cute face. “I knew it. Everybody loves a Christmas tree.”
I let out a bark of laughter. Half in wonder that I am enjoying this conversation so much. Maybe the Whiskey has gone to my head. “You’re like a walking Christmas carol.”
Where did that come from? It’s about as poetic as I get.
Candy laughs. “Do you like Christmas carols?”
“I like you.” Holding her gaze. I mean it. I like her a lot.
