Page 4 of Jolly with the Mountain Man
“Do you two need any help? I’ve got string.” An employee in a fluorescent vest stopped in front of us and held up a spool.
I backed away from Crimson and scratched at the back of my head, a nervous tick I developed back in elementary school. “No, thanks. I’ve got some.” I reached into the pocket of my jacket and pulled out a spool. The worker nodded and walked away.
Focusing on tying the tree to the roof of Crimson’s car, we worked together, securing it on tightly. “You’re good at this. I take it you’ve bought a real tree before?”
Crimson nodded. “Every year, my father took us. He showed me how to tie it so many times I don’t think I’ll ever forget.”
“My dad liked a real tree, too. Only went a few times, though. My mom hated all the pine needles.”
She laughed as we walked back to my truck. “Can’t say I blame her.”
“They get messy, but that’s all part of the fun, isn’t it? I’ll just vacuum every day.”
“You vacuum every day? Are you for real?” Crimson touched my arm and an electric shock soared from the tips of my fingers up to my shoulder. My chest tingled.Her touch…
“Yeah, I like a neat place.”
“Marry me.” Crimson teased. I knew she was joking but my head snapped her way, anyway.
“Only if you promise you’re neat, too.”
She threw her head back in laughter. “Can’t.”
“Why not?”
“You’ll just have to see.”
“Okay, a bit of suspense. I can handle it.” I licked my lips as I watched her sexy ass climb into the back of my truck.
Fuck, I wanted her. So fucking bad.
We’d drive around and see Christmas lights, catch some dinner, and then she’d follow me in her car, back to my place. Two trees weren’t a problem. My cabin was big enough. We could put it in my bedroom and stare at it while we fucked. I didn’t care.
“I’ll bring you back here later?” I asked, not wanting to put too much on her right now. What if I scared her off by asking her to spend the night already?
“Sure, that works.” Crimson smiled and held her arms out wide. “Let’s get this bad boy up here. I’m starving.”
I quickly climbed inside the truck, turned it on with the heat high, and stored my axe away. For the next ten minutes, we tied the tree to my truck, Crimson tying better knots than I ever could.
With the task finished, I helped her into my truck and got behind the driver’s wheel. “I thought I could pick up some takeout at the diner and drive around? Maybe find a place to park.”
“Sounds perfect to me.” Crimson smiled, her eyes twinkling. Her full, pouty lips begged to be kissed. “Reminds me of when I was a kid. My parents always took my sister and I out to look at the lights.”
“My parents did too.” I said quietly.
How was she so damn perfect?
Green eyes, red hair, freckles…our kids…oh my God, fucking adorable.
I couldn’t stop myself, nor did I want to.
My buddies would laugh.
My family would react.
But I didn’t care.
I was ready to fall to my knees for this woman.
