Page 9 of Seeking the Mountain Man

She sighed as I slipped the bra off and tossed it aside, then pulled her against me. The feel of her breasts against my bare skin almost pushed me over the edge, but I regained control as I lowered her to the bed and separated to once again kiss my way down her body, stopping to pull her panties off when I reached her stomach.

I used my tongue instead of my fingers to tease her. I wanted to take her to climax once again before I slid inside her. But just as I had her purring beneath me, I felt her hands on my shoulder as she tilted her hips away from my mouth.

“I want you inside me,” she whispered. “Now.”

That was all I needed to hear. I moved up, bracing myself above her on my arms so I could stare straight into her eyes when our bodies became one.

Her eyes widened as she adjusted to my length, but then they closed and she tilted her head toward the ceiling. I had to stop looking at her if I had any hope of holding out until I was sure she was satisfied.

But then she started moving her hips, and I lost any semblance of self-control. As I thrust into her, I worried at first that I’d hurt her, but she tightened her legs around me, her fingers digging into the flesh of my arms as she gyrated faster and faster.

We both cried out together as we crescendoed at the same time—something that had never happened to me before. We were in sync. In tune. Two people on a collision course. Now that we’d found each other, I wasn’t going to let her go.

6

KENZIE

Before I even opened my eyes, I knew it was morning. But as I took a peek, I saw unfamiliar tan curtains, light peeking through the edges. The walls were white and the carpet was tan with gold patterns.

This wasn’t my bedroom. This wasn’t any bedroom I recognized.

It all came flooding back at once. Last night. The creek. The bed. Falling asleep in his arms. Finding the man I wanted to spend the rest of my life with where I least expected him.

A smile broke out over my face as I shifted toward my back. My head was already turned toward his pillow, sure I’d see that handsome face, angelic as he slept next to me.

There was nothing but an empty bed.

With a gasp, I sat up and looked around. My gaze went straight to the dresser where his shirt had landed last night. It was no longer there. I held my breath and listened for any sign someone was here. A flushing toilet, a running sink, the spray of water coming through the shower head. Nothing but silence.

Will was gone.

I crawled out of bed and walked around the end of the bed, my stare already hyper-focused on the bathroom. The door was open a crack, but no light came through. I knew even before I pushed on the door that the bathroom would be empty.

My next step was to check my phone. My purse had ended up on the floor next to the dresser. I didn’t even remember dropping it there. The screen was filled with notifications—mostly work—but no unknown numbers. An unknown number was exactly how Will’s call would’ve come through. I’d handed him my business card, so he had my cell number. He hadn’t even texted a goodbye.

I snatched up all my clothes, finding them scattered across the floor. It reminded me of our hasty undressing last night. Today, it felt like a dagger to the heart.

Now what did I do? Go to his house and bang on his door? No, that would be pathetic. It may have been the most amazing night of my life, but to him, it was nothing more than a one-night stand.

One-night stands were a part of life for most single people. I’d watched while they happened to my friends, never understanding how anyone could get pleasure out of one night with a stranger.

That was what mine had been. Right? One night with a stranger. Was it that incredible for everyone? Was I just that naïve?

All of that ran through my mind as I changed into my driving-home outfit, which was a normal T-shirt and a pair of shorts. No pretending I was a delivery person today.

I was packed up and on my way to the elevator before reality hit me. I was leaving this town, but I couldn’t exactly forget about it. I’d spend the coming months telling my clients how great it was. If I could generate enough interest, I’d be coming back to meet with potential matches. And the whole time, I’d just have to do my best to avoid running into Will Threader.

I gave myself a good cry the first hour or so of the drive, and then I pulled it together and started making phone calls. By the time I arrived at my condo that afternoon, I already had two appointments with clients who were interested in learning more about Blackbear Bluff.

Maybe going back wouldn’t be so bad. Maybe I’d just have to hang out in Blackbear Bluff and show Will Threader what he was giving up.

7

WILL

“What’s up with you?”

My neighbor, Granger, asked that midway through helping me clear out the remainder of the brush on the back of my property. It had been a weeks-long project, but I’d put it off all winter. Now that warm weather was here, there were no excuses.

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