Page 3 of The Mountain Man's Desires

I didn’t know why I was throwing mixed signals when all I’d ever wanted was for Shane to kiss me.

What the hell is wrong with me?

“Hell if I know.” I ate more of my Danish and drowned my sorrows in the sweet pastry as usual. It wasn’t like this was a new problem.

My life was pretty perfect in Appleridge. It wasn’t without its hardships, though, including losing both my parents at the age of twelve, and Graham being there to finish raising me. I ran the town’s library, which had always been my dream, considering I’d spent most of my life with my nose buried in a book. When I wasn’t at work, I was hanging out with my brother and my adorable niece, Brooke, or I was with Ruby, though now that she had fallen in love with Austin, I had less time with her.

Which only left me with more time to lament over Shane.

“Okay.” Ruby clapped her hands together, and her large diamond ring shone in the light. “This is what I think you should do. Fuck Shane.”

I burst into a fit of giggles. “Ruby! You devious little thing. What has Austin done to my best friend?”

“Made her more exciting. But seriously, L, you’ve been in love with him since…since forever. Graham will get over it. Besides, he’s so caught up with Dallas he won’t pay any attention.”

I shot her one of my looks before finishing my Danish. “Really? C’mon, girl. You know Graham. There’s no way hewon’tpay attention.”

“What does it matter to him, anyway? I’ve always wondered that. Wouldn’t he want a man he respects and trusts as a friend to be the one marrying his sister? He knows Shane would take a bullet for you.”

“Your guess is as good as mine. He’s always told Shanehands offmy sister.”

“Why don’t I call him and find out, hmm?” Ruby picked up her phone and waved it around.

If my looks could kill, she’d be on the floor. “Let’s not. Ugh, you’re not helping, Rubes!”

“Okay, okay. I honestly think you should go for it. Talk to Graham first if you want, but it’syourlife,yourdecisions. Do what makesyouhappy. I’m pretty sure Graham would get over it. I can’t imagine him never speaking to you again.” Ruby rubbed my arm and stood from our table. “Break’s over. Call me later; love ya.”

“Love ya too.” I cleaned up our table, left the bakery, and drove back to the library.

Maybe Ruby was right. I should do what I want. Why was I letting Graham have control?

All I thought about the entire way to the library was Shane attempting to kiss me the other night. I should’ve let him, should’ve given in to what I wanted for so long…

Oh well. My chance was gone. I doubt he’d try anything again. Especially since he said it was a mistake in the first place.

Back at work, I distracted myself with the millions of tasks on my list. As I perused the racks of nonfiction, a pair of green eyes stared back at me from the other side. The very same green eyes I’d dreamed of so many times.

He was in his usual aisle, the letterC, where all of the books on chickens were. His little games were easy to figure out. He pretended to do research on chickens, considering he was a chicken farmer, but instead, he snuck looks at me the whole time.

Most of the time, I’d wave, say hi, and we’d continue the stupid dance between us.

But today felt different.

I walked around to the other side, and there he stood, his hands deep in his pockets. The cold winter months kept his tattooed arms covered up, and I ached to see his sexy inked skin. His tight dark jeans fit him well, and his flannel shirt outlined the dips and valleys of his toned arms.

My head was filled with the fantasy I often had most about Shane.

Running my fingernails along his muscles, digging my nails into his hard muscles as his cock plunged into me.

Jeez, Len! You’re in a library, for Pete’s sake!

But suddenly, I didn’t fucking care anymore.

All I could think, all I could feel, all I could see washim. Shane.

“Lena,” he said, his voice low and deep. “We need to talk.”

I didn’t respond. I was tired of the stupid games. If he tried to kiss me, I was certain he felt the same.

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