Page 25 of My Mountain Man Valentine
Cassie giggles. “I think he’s come for you.”
She indicates outside, and I come to the door to see what she’s looking at. A pickup truck is parked outside the school gates and Ethan leans against it, a bunch of gas station flowers clasped in his hand.
He scans the crowds of kids and parents leaving, ignoring the appreciative glances he gets from several moms and some of the dads.
My heart jumps into my throat, and my hand flies to my chest. “It’s him,” I squeak.
My pulse races, and my knees feel suddenly weak. I glance up at Cassie, terrified. “What should I do?”
She shakes her head and rolls her eyes at me. “You go out there and get him, girl.”
My hands shake as I smooth my hair back. My glasses are smudged, and I give them a quick wipe on my blouse before tucking it back into my knee length skirt.
“Go get him, Miss Foyle.” Olivia punches the air with more enthusiasm than I’ve seen in her since the ordeal on themountain. She grins at me as I grab my purse and head out of the classroom.
By the time I cross the playground, the after-school rush has dissipated. I feel the moment Ethan’s gaze lands on me. His face breaks into the warmest smile I’ve ever seen, and it makes the hair on the back of my neck stand on end.
I’m still walking with a slight limp and he rushes to meet me, striding across the road. We meet in the middle and I pause, suddenly nervous.
“I had to see you again,” he says. “I know we had a deal, and if one night was all you want, then I’ll leave.”
He scans my face, and I notice the dark smudges under his eyes, the worry lines that weren’t there a few weeks ago.
“I don’t just want one night,” I whisper.
Relief makes his shoulders sag, and his face softens. “That wasn’t normal, what we shared, Lucy. It’s never been like that for me before, never so intense, so intimate. I wanted to tell you that morning, but you were dressed already and covered up and I thought you had gotten what you wanted.”
I shake my head, hating that he thought that about me. “I didn’t want you to think I was clingy. You said you don’t do relationships.”
He grasps my hands in his and brings them to his chest. “I wish I’d never said that. I didn’t tell you that my ex-wife cheated on me.”
“I’m so sorry.” I reach up and run a hand over his cheek. This kind, caring, thoughtful man didn’t deserve that.
“Since then I haven’t wanted to be with anyone. I thought I was better on my own. Then I met you.”
He pulls my fingers to his lips and kisses my hands. “That night was intense; I knew it would never be enough. But I tried to put you out of my mind. You’re all I’ve thought about, Lucy. You fill every waking moment. I can’t sleep, I’ve lost my appetite,I’ve been a grumpy ass at work. I need you like I need oxygen. I’m fucking scared to be with someone again, but I’m more scared about what my life will be if you’re not in it. Will you take a chance with me?”
I stare up at his pleading hopeful eyes, and my heart soars. “I’ll take a lifetime of chances with you.”
Ethan pulls me to him, and his lips crash against mine. His arm grasps me around the waist, and he pulls me against him so hard my feet lift off the ground.
“Yeees!” I break away at the sound of Olivia’s voice cheering us on from the school gate. “You get him Miss Foyle.”
She hops from one foot to another and I’m pleased she’s got her enthusiasm back, but if I keep kissing Ethan the way I want to, I’m going to get myself fired.
“We can’t do this at the school gate.”
“Come with me.” Ethan pulls me toward his pickup, and I slide into the passenger seat. Cassie joins her daughter at the school gate.
“You’re both invited for ribs tonight,” she calls across the road. “If you’re going to be Lucy’s boyfriend, you need to pass the friend test.”
Ethan raises his eyebrows at me. “You’ve got a protective friend.”
I slide toward him and he puts a large hand on my knee, causing fireworks to shoot up my body.
“Her husband does the best ribs.”
He nods slowly as his fingers caress my thigh. “What time are ribs?” His hand crawls up my thigh, lifting the fabric of my skirt with it.
