Page 7 of My Mountain Man Boss
He takes a strand of my hair and wraps it around his finger. I wonder if he’s remembering my rebel haircut, short and spiky and black.
“I guess I grew up.”
His lips turn up at the corners. “You did.”
My heart is hammering in my chest, and there’s no denying the attraction between us.
“You’re different too.”
I think about the grief-stricken figure I remember, the man who aged overnight. I guess time is a healer, because there’s nothing hunched or broken about this man. He’s solid and confident, and he’s staring at me like he wants to devour me.
He’s still got my strand of hair in his hand, and he curls it around his finger. There’s a tug on my skull, and I lean forward. My lips part, and my eyes widen. I’m going to kiss Mr. Laker.
Then his lips are on mine, firm and insistent. I open my mouth, and he groans as my tongue flicks between his lips.
He tastes of whisky and chocolate cake, and I moan at the sensation. His hand snakes around my waist and he pulls me against him.
My breasts brush against his chest, and my nipples harden at the sensation. A whimper escapes my mouth because this is so damn delicious. My body lights up at his touch. I feel like I’m falling.
I can’t believe I’m kissing Mr. Laker.
I’m kissing Izzie’s dad. The thought slams up against every good sensation, and I pull away with a gasp.
Mr. Laker’s gaze is deep with desire, and it takes all my willpower to pull away.
“We can’t do this.”
He takes a step back. “I’ll stop if that’s what you want.”
His hand drops from my waist, and the loss of his heat makes me gasp. Is this what I want? I want desperately to keep kissing him. But Izzie is my best friend. What would she think?
Mr. Laker is studying me. “Have dinner with me tomorrow, Amy.”
I blink in surprise. Did Izzie’s dad just ask me out?
“I don’t just want to kiss you, Amy. I want to spend time with you. I want to understand how the angry teenager grew into a beautiful woman. I’m attracted to you, Amy. And I know you feel it too.”
“But you’re Izzie’s dad?”
He shrugs. “Does that bother you? She just married my best friend. I don’t think she can possibly have a problem with her father dating her friend.”
We’re talking about dating now. My heart beats faster, and my stomach flutters. I imagine being on the arm of Mr. Laker.
Then I remember Izzie’s words from earlier. “I’m glad he never remarried. I couldn’t handle a stepmom.”
I can’t do this to my best friend. Not that I’d ever get married. Whatever this attraction is between me and Mr. Laker, it has to stop.
“Sorry.” I slide his jacket off my shoulders. “I won’t do that to my friend. I’m not interested.”
He raises an eyebrow, looking amused rather than hurt. I hold the jacket out to him, but he doesn’t take it.
“I’ll be here when you change your mind.”
The arrogance of the man is unbelievable. I let go of the jacket, and it falls to the floor as I brush past him and go inside.
4
LANDON
