Page 9 of Thrilling the Mountain Man

“That wasn’t the end of it,” I said. “I came back the next night to see if you were there. I waited and, sure enough, a few minutes later, you showed up. I watched in the dark. It’s not something I’m proud of. It’s definitely not something I’d normally do. It was you. From the second I saw you, I couldn’t take my eyes off you.”

“Is that part of your past?” she asked. “Were you peeping in windows back then?”

I shook my head. “I’d never done anything like that in my life. Never would again unless it was you.”

Layna sat up and my heart dropped. Yeah, I’d definitely blown it—not by being honest but by being a complete creep in the first place. It was not who I was deep inside.

“From the first time I saw you, I couldn’t stop thinking about you. Grayson told me who you were, and I looked you up online. I found your social media and looked through your posts. I’m not proud of it, but it’s something I would have done after I met you.”

“Cyberstalking,” she said quietly. “We’ve all done that. You look up the person you’re interested in just to see what you can find out. It’s different, though, when you’re watching someone through a window.”

I wanted to sit up, to reassure her. But I stayed in place, sensing she needed some space. If I got too close, she might climb out of this bed, put her clothes on, and tell me to get out. She’d have every right to do so.

But I had to say something. This might be my only chance to fix this.

“I can’t explain it,” I said. “From the time I saw you, I was drawn like a magnet. It was pulling me in. I know it’s no excuse for what I did, but I think you feel it too. There’s just something here that’s…different.”

Layna didn’t say anything. Didn’t move. Didn’t look back over her shoulder. She just continued to sit, unmoving.

A long silence passed, during which I desperately hoped she would suddenly turn and let me know everything was okay. When that didn’t happen, I knew better than to push. I didn’t want the answer.

Finally, when she said nothing, I climbed from the bed and headed toward the door. I should stop and say something, but I was naked. There was something about apologizing while being buck naked. I couldn’t do it.

Instead, I went straight to the kitchen and snatched up my clothes, put them on, and glanced toward the bedroom before leaving. Layna didn’t come out as I’d hoped. I had no choice but to walk out.

Once I was back in my cabin, I regretted walking out, but I had to give her some time and space. Then I’d find a way to win her back. I had to. I couldn’t imagine living the rest of my life knowing I’d blown the best thing that had ever happened to me.

6

LAYNA

My eyes were peeled as I entered the Scoreboard Bar and Grill parking lot. Noah drove a giant black truck. Most of the guys around here drove vehicles that seemed much too large. But a big guy needed a big vehicle, I assumed.

I would have stayed in my car until Tinley arrived, but something was different today. I had a confidence I’d never felt before. Sex with Noah had done that to me.

It had been almost twenty-four hours since our pizza date started, and I was as conflicted as ever. Part of me was exhilarated at the idea of him watching me when I didn’t know about it. Of him finding me so sexy, he couldn’t take his eyes off me. The other part was creeped out by it.

To be truthful, though, that part was mostly how I thought I should feel. Basically, I was creeped out by how turned on I was at the thought of being watched by Noah.

“Have a seat anywhere,” the bartender called out as I entered.

He wasn’t kidding. The place was empty. I had my pick of seats. But how did he know I wasn’t going to walk up and sit at the bar? He probably assumed from my messy bun and college sweatshirt that I was not the type to sit at a bar alone.

I’d barely gotten seated when a server rushed out with a stack of menus. She beelined for my table near the door.

“Will someone be joining you today?” the server asked.

I looked up at the woman. She was middle aged and had a kind smile. I remembered this town seemed to have a shortage of women. My friend Piper had worked at this very sports bar until her engagement. She’d taken a job at the bakery with our friends Hannah and Tinley soon after.

“Yes,” I said.

She took my drink order—water with lemon—and headed toward the back. Seconds later, the door opened, and Tinley came rushing in.

“So sorry I’m late,” she said. “Have you ordered yet?”

I shook my head. “Just water.”

She narrowed her eyes at me as she slid into her seat. “Water?”

---