Page 18 of Connecting with the Mountain Man

“It’s just…” I drag my gaze back to Luke. “I always respected her as your sister. That meant she’s off-limits.”

Luke snorts. “Yeah. I figured that out around year three of you mooning over her.”

I freeze. “Three?”

Luke shrugs like it’s no big deal. “Could’ve been two. Either way, you’ve been obvious.”

My heart thunders. I sit back, gripping the edge of the booth, like somehow this whole conversation might slip through my fingers if I’m not holding on tight enough.

“So, you’re telling me that after five years of keeping all this fucking distance, all it takes is one conversation with you and you’re giving me your blessing?”

“Silas.” His voice dips low. “I’d rather you be the man in her life than some asshole who doesn’t know the first thing about treating her right. Someone I’d have to worry about or beat the shit out of if he broke her heart.”

I blink. For a second, I just sit there. Stunned. And then the full weight of his words slams into me like a freight train. This is happening.

Luke’s giving me the green light.

To her.

I glance at the counter again; at the way Eden bites her lip as she scribbles something in her note- book. Fuck, I’m screwed.

Because now that I have permission, I don’t know exactly what I’m going to do. Because when I cross that line—there’s no going back.

Luke claps me on the shoulder and stands, stretching like this wasn’t the most life-altering conversation I’ve ever had.

“I’m out. Don’t screw it up big guy or I’ll rip your dick off and feed it to you.”

He tosses a wave to Eden as he passes the counter, and she gives him a distracted smile, too busy wiping down trays to pay much attention. I wait. The last few customers throw some bills on the table and leave.

Mary unloops her apron, tossing it over a hook. “I’m heading out, Eden. You need anything else?”

Eden shakes her head. “Nope. I’ve got it. See you tomorrow.”

The second the bells jingle behind Mary, I know I should leave. I should grab my keys, say goodnight, and get the hell out of here.

But I don’t.

I get up and walk over to her. I lean against the counter, watching Eden move through the empty café, stacking trays and wiping down tables, the sway of her hips keeping me rooted in place.

She’s too damn tempting. Too damn close. I shouldn’t want her this bad. But it’s not just want. It’s been a slow, aching burn for years—one I’ve tried to ignore, one I’ve been given permission to no longer ignore.

“You’re staring,” she says, not even looking at me.

I smirk, pushing off the counter. “Maybe.”

That gets her attention.

Her head snaps up, blue eyes narrowing as she tosses the rag onto the counter. “Something on your mind, Matthews? I don’t need you to babysit me.”

Yeah.

But I can’t say it.

I can’t tell her how bad I want to haul her over the counter and kiss the sass right off her lips. How I want to pull her tight against me and make damn sure she knows exactly how long I’ve been holding back.

So, I keep it light.

“Just making sure you didn’t burn the place down,” I say, letting my eyes drag over her slowly.

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