Page 7 of Forbidden Mountain Man

I nodded. “They told me around Thanksgiving that the week of Christmas would be it for my position. They just don’t have the budget for a part-time library assistant anymore.”

“And I didn’t respond to your message,” he said. “I’m such an ass.”

I smiled and set my spoon back in my bowl. I was making considerable progress on the sundae. It was so good, I couldn’t seem to stop myself, but I didn’t want to look like a complete pig in front of him.

“It’s fine,” I said. “I got the job at the lodge, so it all worked out.”

“Did it?”

He asked that question with no apparent emotion. His expression was completely neutral. But even though I was sure he didn’t intend it, it felt like a therapy session.

“No,” I said. “It didn’t.” I sighed and lowered my bowl to my lap, staring past him out the window. “The library felt like itmight lead somewhere. I loved working with the kids, but I don’t have a college degree, so I’m limited in what I can do, and it’s not like there are a lot of jobs in this town. But I always dreamed of living in the mountains. It’s just…”

My voice trailed off as I searched for the right words. I didn’t want him feeling sorry for me. I didn’t even feel sorry for myself. It was the way I’d been brought up. Life handed you lemons, you made lemonade. Working as a hostess at the Glacier Bar and Grill was my version of lemonade.

“It’s not like I dreamed of living in a townhouse in a subdivision filled with people who mostly work in the next town over,” I said. “I dreamed of this.” I gestured with my left hand to indicate my surroundings. “A cozy log cabin with a fireplace and a beautiful view. Turns out you need money to have all that.”

“Or a bunch of lumber and the know-how to build it yourself.”

I got the message he was sending with that. He wasn’t rich by any means. He’d built this with his own two hands. The lot probably hadn’t been all that much because, at the time, Seduction Summit was on nobody’s radar as a great place to live. People came here to ski and then left. And when the snow melted, this town died.

“Come on,” he said, standing up.

He reached out, and for a second, I thought he was going to take my hand, but he was staring pointedly at my bowl. “I’ll show you around.”

As I handed him my bowl and pushed myself to my feet, I realized just how much I was hoping he’d wrap his big hand around my small one and pull me up. I was craving his touch far more than I’d craved the chocolate and caramel I’d just eaten.

If I wasn’t careful, this guy could hurt me. He didn’t strike me as someone who got involved with women easily, and I wascertainly not the type of person who could seduce a guy. I’d never even had sex.

I was out of my element, but no matter what happened, this would still be the most exciting day of my life. And I was going to enjoy every second of it.

5

LUCAS

My coat engulfed Darby. It pretty much swallowed her whole. The arms went almost to her knees, and the shoulders drooped.

It was an adorable sight to see, but it was also necessary. It was cold as hell out here.

“Wow,” she said as we stepped out onto my balcony to take in the beautiful view.

“There’s nothing like it,” I said. “When it snows in the wintertime, I do as much work as I can from my cabin. Not because of the treacherous roads, but because I want to enjoy every second of this.”

I gestured to indicate the view in front of us. It wasn’t just the view. It was the crisp air and the silence that surrounded us as sheets of snow drifted down from the sky.

I pointed toward the edge of the lake. “Every now and then, deer show up back here.”

“I’dsobe sharing this on social media,” she said. “Every single day.”

I looked over at her and she seemed to read my expression without me saying a word. I knew all about social media, but I had no interest in anything like that.

“I guess that’s not your thing.” She laughed. “I don’t know very many men your age who are into hanging out online all day.”

“My age.” My eyebrows rose. “Just how old do you think I am?”

“You’re in your thirties?” she asked.

“Thirty-five. And I’m guessing you’re…twenty-five.”

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