Page 4 of Burly Lumberjack

Andrea shrugs, leaning her elbows on the counter. “Leesa’s told me she’s trying to set you two up. I’ve also seen you in that diner enough to know you look at her like there’s never been another woman in the history of the world.”

“I didn’t realize it was that obvious,” I admit, rubbing the back of my neck.

“Not to her,” Andrea says. “But to everyone else? Yeah. Kinda is.”

My heart thuds hard. “You think she really…?” Could Andrea be right? She’s saying about the same thing that Leesa did. Surely, they’re not both pranking me.

“Likes you?” Andrea finishes for me. “God, yes. She blushes every time anyone even says your name. She’s into you, Rowan. Big time.”

I exhale slowly, willing my heart to stop racing. I want to believe it. I do. But I also know how many times people get it wrong. People who think a polite smile means desire.

“I’ll take that under consideration,” I say, trying to be as neutral as possible. Maybe there’s hope for me after all.

And maybe I can get the bombshell of my dreams, and do something about the hardwood situation in my pants.

My truck turnstoward the diner before I’ve even consciously made the decision. I park at the edge of the lot and take a second, gripping the wheel, breath tight.

I don’t know what I’m going to say. All I know is I have an overwhelming need to see her. Doesn’t matter that I’ll see her in a few hours—I need to see her now.

The bell jingles overhead when I step inside the diner. She’s behind the counter working the lunch rush and laughing softly at something her coworker says, her face light and happy. Her blonde hair is pulled up in a loose bun, a few strands falling around her face. She looks beautiful.

She spots me, and her whole expression changes. A blush spreads from her cheeks down to her chest, and… Fuck. There goes my cock again.

“Hi,” she says, breathless.

“Hey,” I reply, barely able to keep my voice steady. I don’t know what I was thinking, except that I had to see her.

There’s a beat of silence. Tension so thick I can feel it humming through my chest.

“Did you come in for some pie? We’ve had a run on the cherry pie today,” she says, trying to smile. “Sorry if you wanted a slice.”

I don’t say anything for a second. My mind spins in directions that it shouldn’t in public. All I can think of is her saying cherry pie, and my cock twitches with interest like it knows exactly what kind of craving that sparks.

Her cherry pie. I could kneel between her sweet, creamy thighs and eat her for every meal for the rest of my life.

My voice is tight. “No… no problem.”

Our eyes hold. I fight back a groan when I see her tongue flick out and wet her lips.

I want her. Right now. Right here. And I don’t know how much longer I can hold back.

“Are we still on for this afternoon, Rowan?” Ophelia asks, tension creasing her forehead.

“Actually, something came up. Is it okay if I stop by tomorrow instead?” I ask, fumbling over my words like an inexperienced teenager. “I was going to have some pie, but if you’re out…then another time.” I realize I sound like a fool, but that’s what she does to me. I look at her, and all my sense just leaves me, and my inner caveman comes out.

“Good,” she says, exhaling and giving me a big smile. “I’ll see you then.”

And I’ll see you in my dreams, sweetheart.

CHAPTER 3

OPHELIA

Okay, spill. You’ve been floating around here ever since that hunk came in to chat with you during the lunch rush.”

Pamela’s voice cuts through the lull of the empty diner, and I glance over at her as we restock the condiments. She’s balancing a tray of ketchup bottles in one arm while topping off sugar packets with the other, eyes fixed on me like she already knows the answer.

“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” I mumble, folding a napkin holder closed with a little more force than necessary. I know she’s just gossiping, but I have this sense that maybe something might—might—happen with Rowan, and I want to keep everything to myself until I know. I don’t want to jinx anything.

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