Page 9 of Grump of Misty Mountain

“Guess it depends on what’s at stake.” She responded.

“Dinner. If I like it, you owe me dinner. If I don’t, I owe you a dinner.” Her house or mine, it didn’t matter. I just wanted to get her alone.

“You’re on. But I have to warn you, I’m not much of a cook.” She finished combining the flavors for my latte, topped it off with steamed milk, placed a lid on it and placed it on the counter. Picking it up, I took a sip.

Dammit, I really wanted to like it.Pretending wasn’t in my wheelhouse, but I managed to plaster a smile on my face. “Yum.” Then I ruined it with a cough. The lavender had quite the kick.

I was expecting her disappointment. Instead, Sami laughed. “I appreciate you trying.”

“Sure, uh no problem.” Setting the cup down, I cleared my throat. Continuing to choke on the coffee was not the look I was going for when I needed to convince her to drive up to my place for dinner instead of going to a restaurant.

“I make a mean baked spaghetti dish with garlic bread if you’d like to see where I live. Otherwise, it’s at least an hour’s drive to a restaurant unless you want to go to Hank’s place.” I slid my gaze to Ms. Clara, who was attempting to look busy further down the counter.

Sami wiped her hands on her apron before she answered. Lucky apron.

“That would be okay. I mean, dinner at your place is fine. I’ve been wanting to take a drive up the town’s namesake mountain, anyway. Do you want me to, uh, bring anything?”

There were so many things I wanted her to bring, like all her belongings, but I’d have a better chance of convincing her to do that after I spent all night worshipping her body.

“Just you. Tomorrow night. Six o’clock? And maybe you could stay to watch the sunset. I have the best view on the entire mountain of the valley below.” I picked up the order pad nextto the register and scribbled my address and phone number and handed it to her.

Another group of customers entered the cafe at the same time, making more conversation difficult, which was just fine with me. I feared anymore time spent looking at her would only encourage the erection I’d been fighting to tame this entire time to cut off my circulation. My body’s unyielding demand for Sami was a first for me.

Come tomorrow evening, I’d figure out how to get through dinner without letting my baser instincts and my cock do the talking for me. I’d even take a thirty-minute, ice-cold shower before she arrived if I thought that would be enough. Which I feared it wouldn’t.

Because if she so much as hinted that she wanted me, all bets were off.

SIX

SAMI

The drivealong the mountain road to Finn’s cabin was a dose of instant stress relief for my nerves. I could see why he and others would willingly give up the conveniences found in cities to feel this peace, surrounded by such breathtaking beauty every day.

Maybe if things went as planned, I’d be able to witness a sunset and a sunrise from his home.

And he was getting lucky tonight, even if he didn’t know it yet. I didn’t think I’d need to twist his arm or anything.

He didn’t need to wine and dine me, even if it was just beer and pasta. If it was half as good as he promised, that would be a bonus. Because all I had to offer was frozen pizza and Moscato if I’d won the bet. A good cook, I was not.

My first glimpse of his home set up on a high ridge nestled among fir and pine trees had my heart skipping a beat or two. A wrap around deck and floor to ceiling windows captured my earlier wish perfectly.

Creeping my car up the graveled drive, I somehow missed Finn coming out to meet me. One minute I was gawking at his home, the next I was jumping from his gentle knock on my side window.

“Welcome.” That was it. Short, to the point. So he was back in that stoic persona, hmm? Was he regretting inviting me up here? Maybe I needed to check my expectations, or maybe I just needed to be upfront with him from the beginning?

Following him through the carved dark wood oversized front door, I didn’t know where to look first, but his butt, encased in well-worn jeans, was making it hard to look anywhere else.

“Dinner’s almost ready. I’ll give you the five-cent tour, then we can eat.” Finn led me through the first floor, pointing out this and that, some additions he’d made since purchasing it half completed from the former owner.

He motioned to a short hallway that led to the bedrooms, and I could see an open door that I assumed was the main bedroom. “There’s another two rooms upstairs, for guests and my, uh, office.” He cleared his throat, then led me to the kitchen. I noticed a hint of nerves in his voice. Maybe he wasn’t as unaffected about me being here as I first feared.

The smell of garlic and red sauce hit me as we walked into the open concept kitchen. Wow, this was not what I was expecting. “I love your home, Finn. It’s…big. And that fireplace is just spectacular.”

A deep rumble and a half smile appeared on his face. “Yeah. It’s a lot, but I couldn’t pass up the location and the views, so they make up for all the damn dusting. And the solitude is perfect for my job.”

“Oh? I thought you were just retired military and living your best hermit life?”

He’d been stirring a pot on the stove, but he paused at my words, then he hit me with a laser focused smoldering look that turned my mouth to dust.

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