Page 7 of Loving the Mountain Man - Thickwood CO

I can taste the cinnamon still lingering from the gum she was chewing earlier.

“Jules,” I groan, nipping her lips one last time before breaking apart. I don’t want to, but I know she has a business to run.

She faceplants into my chest, and I hold her there as she settles down and is ready to look me in the eye. When she looks up at me, her cheeks are tinted pink, and a shy smile is placed on her face.

The song that comes on has me rolling my eyes, another eighties song, this one “Beat It” by Michael Jackson. I grunt out my distaste for her music.

“What?” she questions.

“Your taste in music, it has me scratching my head,” I respond.

“Too bad, I happen to love it.” She shrugs her shoulder at me. Something tells me, if I get to have a future with Jules, her music will come right along with her.

“Go on a date with me,” I demand.

“I think the correct way to ask me would be, ‘Hey, Jules, would you like to go on a date with me?’” she replies with so much sass. Her hand is now placed on her hip, and she took a step back from me. That’s something I can’t handle. I come up to her, both of us dancing; one of us to get away in a joking manner, me going after her in every way imaginable.

“You know you’ll say yes, either way,” I grunt once I have my hands back on her hips. Her body is backed into an old piece of furniture taller than both of us.

“Fine, I’ll say yes. But you’ll have to pick me up at my place like a gentleman would.”

“Considering I was going to do that anyway, you have yourself a date. I’ll be here tomorrow at seven o’clock.” I kiss her lips, but it’s not what I really want. I want her tongue teasing mine, but this will have to do for now.

“Okay, I’ll be ready. Thank you, Hudson.” Her eyes have a dazed look about them.

“Fuck, gorgeous. You’re making it hard to act like a gentleman and leave you,” I respond.

“Yeah, I guess we should part ways,” she agrees.

“I’ll call you tonight, Jules. I promise you that.” Leaving her is hard, but if I don’t, we’ll both end up naked and on display for the whole town of Thickwood to see.

10

Jules

When Ophelia came back from her errands, I let her know everything that happened in those short few hours. She fanned herself and told me, “I told you so. What are you wearing tomorrow night?” With that, she picked up Bogo, and I grabbed Beau, and we walked up the stairs that lead to my apartment above the shop.

She helped me pick out the perfect outfit, hugged me, and then left.

Now, it’s the night of our date. Nothing is going my way. My hair is falling flat, not holding even a hint of the wave that it usually always has. The clothes Ophie helped me pick out just aren’t working for my mood today, not to mention, when I went to put on mascara, I jabbed my damn eye, so it’s now red and irritated.

“Oh, Beau, what am I going to do now?” I ask my dog that can’t answer, but he crooks his head to the side and smiles.

“Yeah, I know. I need to get up, wash my face, and deal with what I’ve got.” I pick myself up off the chair I have in my bedroom.

After washing my face, I reapply the mascara with a careful hand, glide on some Chapstick, then go into my closet and settle on some army green leggings, a long-sleeved cream shirt, and brown suede booties.

When I have everything on and put together, I take a spin around in front of my mirror and smile.

“Not too bad, right, Beau?” He yips, and I know that’s as good as I’ll get from him.

I find my canvas crossbody purse, transferring everything I’ll need tonight. Beau nudges my hand while I’m putting my things in there. Poor boy thinks he’s coming. “Sorry, baby, it’s just Hudson and me tonight.”

He barks again, this time his ears perking up, jumps off the bed, and waddles his cute little potbellied self to the front door. I hear the knocking in between Beau’s barking.

“Shhh, you know who that is,” I soothe him but look to be sure. Once I see it’s Hudson, I unlock the door and take him in. He’s wearing jeans, this pair much nicer, and his boots aren’t scuffed up. My gaze travels the length of his body until I reach his chest. The pullover he’s wearing is molded perfectly to his chest, his hair that’s usually flowing freely is in a bun, and he has a smirk on his face. He totally caught me taking in the full package that is Hudson Walker.

---