Page 2 of Connecting with the Mountain Man

Eden Winters.

She’s standing behind the counter, arms crossed, mouth in that cute little pout she always does when she’s gearing up to take me down a peg or two. It’s unfair—how someone can look that sweet and dangerous at the same time.

The worst part? I like her best when she’s pissed at me. When her eyes spark like she’s trying to decide whether to kiss me or launch a muffin at my head.

Hell.

“Morning, Eden,” I drawl, stepping into the warm space, the bells over the door jingling as I cross the threshold. My boots thud against the wooden floor, and I take my sweet time strolling past the tables toward the counter.

She doesn’t say anything right away. Just narrows those big blue eyes at me, like I’m somehow to blame for the bakery crime scene happening in her kitchen.

Maybe I am.

“I thought you were off on some big fancy job,” she says, tucking a wild curl behind her ear. It slips loose instantly.

I grunt, leaning against the counter with my palms flat, dipping my head just enough to watch the blush creep up her neck. She’s always stuck somewhere between wanting to bite my head off and… something else. Something softer.

And damn if I don’t live for it.

“Thought I’d check in,” I say, scanning the bakery. “See if the place was still standing. Smells like you had a rough morning.”

Eden arches a brow, shifting her weight to one leg, hip jutting out just enough to make my brain glitch. “You’re just here to snoop. Admit it.”

“Perks of sharing the building.” I nod toward the hallway leading to the stairs—stairs that take me straight up to my office. “I like to make sure my investment isn’t burning to the ground.”

Her eyes narrow further. “Your ‘investment’ is fine, Matthews. Just a little… overdone batch.”

I sniff dramatically. “Smells like a whole bakery massacre to me.”

Her nostrils flare, and she fixes me with a glare that could melt steel.

“There’s a leak,” she snaps. “Under the sink. I called the maintenance line, but your receptionist said all your guys are out on other jobs.”

I straighten, rolling my shoulders. “They are. Busy day.”

Eden’s lips press into a thin line. “And what exactly doyoudo all day, Silas?”

Oh, she’s poking the bear now.

I let a slow smile curl up one side of my mouth. “Someone’s gotta run things. Can’t sign papers and do all the boring back-end stuff if I’m swinging hammer.”

She snorts, stepping around the counter and tugging her apron tighter around her waist. “Right. Must be exhausting. I bet your calluses are really something to behold.”

Her eyes flick to my hands. She doesn’t even try to hide it.

Neither does her tongue, the way it darts out to wet her lips. Damn, why can’t those lips be wet from my kisses. My cock stiffens in my pants.

“Why don’t I take a look?” I nod toward the kitchen. “Since I’m here. Unless you’d rather let it flood.”

She hesitates. I can practically see the gears turning in her head, trying to find a way to tell me to shove it. But the leak’s winning.

“Fine,” she mutters, brushing past me.

Her shoulder grazes my arm, and I follow her, gaze dipping to the sway of her hips in those tight jeans.

She has no business wearing jeans like that around me.

Not if she wants me to keep my hands to myself. I wonder how her sexy ass would feel in my hands. Soft or firm. Either way it’s a great ass.

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