Page 15 of My Mountain Man Grump
Gran has seen Carrie’s boobs. She knows what color her nipples are and how wide her areolas are. How has my Gran seen this woman’s boobs and I haven’t?
I shake my head, wondering what the hell Gran did with that picture.
The thought of Gran getting Carrie’s boob pics and her eyes going wide makes me chuckle.
“So, my grandma has a picture of your boobs?”
Carrie nods, but she’s laughing too. “Yup. I kept my bra on. But yeah, I sent a boob pic.”
She frowns and shakes her head, but she’s smiling too. “I’m so embarrassed by this entire situation, but I’m most embarrassed about sending your grandma a picture of my boobs.”
We’re both doubled up laughing now, and I’m glad Carrie can see the funny side. I feel a rush of warmth for this woman, and guilt for leaving her alone in her cabin for the last few days.
“Hey, we’re having a cookout tonight. You want to come over?”
The invitation’s out before I can stop myself. Her eyes light up, and she smiles a warm unembarrassed smile.
“I’d like that.”
We don’t usually have cookouts on school nights, but I can’t leave her alone in her cabin for another night.
“Come around when the girls get home. We eat early.”
We make the arrangements, and I continue my run. The last half of the run is downhill, but it’s not just the downhill slope that makes me feel lighter.
For the first time since Mel, I’ve found a woman that I want to kiss.
8
CARRIE
In the soft glow of the embers, Cole’s features take on a smoother shape. He’s less rough, less rugged, especially with a sleepy Kyra in his lap. She holds a stick with a sausage on it, and he opens his mouth pretending to take a bite. The little girl squeals, and they both laugh.
A warm pang in my chest makes me turn away quickly. I will not fall for the grumpy self-proclaimed loner who can’t wait for me to leave his mountain.
I was mortified when Cole came across me at the very moment I’d let myself relax half-naked in the sun. He didn’t know where to look, and it wasn’t lost on me that he kept stealing glances at my boobs. He’s a boob man, which even his Gran is aware of if our text exchange is anything to go by.
The thing is, I liked his gaze on me. I liked the way I obviously affected him. How he stumbled when lookingat me and how his gaze kept creeping down my body. If any other man did that, I’d slap him. But under Cole’s gaze my body heated, and I needed to jump back in the pool to cool off.
Then he apologized, and my heart melted along with my panties. I’m a sucker for a man who can admit when he’s wrong.
We’ve had a nice night, cooking sausages on the fire pit. Cole made a coleslaw and a green salad to go with it, and I was impressed by the way the girls dove into the salads without having to be told to eat their greens. He really is big on healthy eating.
I found a recipe online for a sugar free slice and checked with Cole first before offering it to the girls. It’s made from sweet potato and pure cacao with crushed dates providing a natural sweetness.
Cole allowed the girls to have a small slice each, and their faces made the trek to town to get the ingredients worth it.
Joyce sits on the other side of me with a shawl wrapped around her shoulders. She gets up slowly and reaches for Kyra’s hand.
“Come on, pumpkin, let’s get you to bed.”
Kyra takes Joyce’s hand and rubs her eyes sleepily. Cole stands up, but Joyce shakes her head. “I’ll put these two to bed tonight.”
Cole’s eyes narrow, no doubt suspecting Joyce of trying to get us together again, and I’m sure that’s exactly what she’s doing.
“I’ll help with the washing up.” I jump up abruptly,because I don’t want Cole to think I’m trying to get alone time with him either.
The girls help ferry plates and cutlery into the cabin. Then Joyce takes them up the hall to wash while Cole runs water in the sink.
