Page 3 of Lonely in Misty Mountain

“Yes.” She pushed the stack of books at me without making eye contact.

The flush on her cheeks was fucking adorable and suddenly, I wondered how she’d taste.

Dude, calm down, she’s here to deliver books, not spend forever. What’s wrong with you? Near a beautiful woman for five seconds and your mind goes apeshit.

I took the books from her and our fingertips brushed, my bare skin to her gloved hand, and an urge from out of nowherecame over me to take her inside and never let her go. “Thank you.”

“Sure thing.” The curvy woman who looked exactly like a sexy, nerdy librarian with her black cat eyeglasses, took a step back before turning to go. “Well…have a good night.”

Without thinking, the words tumbled out of my mouth, only wanting to be closer, not further away from her. The feeling was unfamiliar, yet I wanted to,needed tochase it. Or her. “Wait.”

She turned back around, with a curious yet timid expression.

“Would you like to come in and warm up for a few? It’s the least I can do for you coming all the way out here to bring me these especially with a storm coming.” Somehow the words I often couldn’t find on my own flowed around this woman, her mere presence pulling me under a spell.

“Oh, no, that’s okay…my cat is waiting at home for me.” She looked away then back again, her cheeks on fire now.

Damn, could she be any more adorable?

Snowflakes slowly began falling around us. “Guess the storm is coming earlier than expected.” I said.

She looked around, her eyes wide, her mouth half open, panic etched across her features. “Oh no! No!”

“What’s wrong?”

“I’ve never driven in the snow before!”

“Must be your first winter in Misty Mountain, then.”

“How could you tell?” Her tone lightened and a half smile lifted up one side of her mouth.

I chuckled. “C’mon, let’s get inside. I promise I’m a nice guy.”

“Miss Lila did seem to speak fondly of you.”

“Did she now? I’ll have to thank her.” I stepped aside so she could walk in first and when she strolled past, her scent filled my nose, a mix of vanilla and lavender, and intoxicating to say the least. I wanted to bury my face inside her neck and never come up for air again. “I’m Kaiden, by the way.” I closed the doorbehind us and led her into the living room where I set the books down on the coffee table, Junie still going crazy in the kitchen.

“I know. I’m Harper. Miss Lila’s new hire.”

“Nice to meet you. Don’t mind my dog either. She’s a bit crazy but I haven’t told her yet.”

“How nice of you.” Harper flashed me a lopsided grin. She sat on the couch but quickly got to her feet again, her anxious movements endearing. “But honestly, I can’t stay. I need to make it home before the storm gets bad. Thank you for inviting me inside, but I’m afraid the longer I wait, the worse it’ll be.”

“I can drive you. I have a huge plow truck.”

“No, that’s okay. I couldn’t ask that of you. I’ll go now.”

As soon as she turned to head for the door, something came over me. An unknown force that moved my arm without any control. I reached out and wrapped my large hand around her small wrist and her entire body froze.

“Wait, Harper. I can’t let you leave yet. Look outside, the snow is falling hard.” I nodded at the window, the snow coming down fast and furious, the ground already coated in an inch. “And for some crazy reason, I don’t want you to go.”

Harper’s eyesdropped to where my hand grasped her wrist.

I overstepped. What was I thinking?

I let go of her hand. “I’m sorry. That was too forward.”

“No, it wasn’t. You’re right. It’s getting bad out there quickly. Would you be willing to give me a ride?”

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