Page 7 of Fascinated with the Mountain Man

Maybe I should just admit my feelings and go for it. We could figure the Caden stuff out later.

But then I remembered how Aster said we were only friends.

Shit! Why was everything so damn complicated?

I did what I always did when I was stressed. I grabbed my camera and headed outside. I flicked on the night vision and began snapping pictures of Aster hard at work.

He invested so much of himself into his work. It showed in how dedicated he was, how much love and attention he poured into his animals, and how he never made excuses, getting his shit done instead. I captured it all, grabbing amazing shot after amazing shot, and the best part? Aster didn’t have a clue.

At least not until he spotted me peeking into the chicken coop.

“Boo!”

I lowered my camera and grinned, his face inches from the mesh lining of the coop. “You caught me.”

“What are you doing?” he asked as he backed away and finished cleaning the coop.

“Getting some shots of you without you knowing.”

“Oh, I knew.”

I laughed. “No, you didn’t. Nice try.”

His eyes narrowed, but not in an angry way, more passionate and intense than anything else. The undercurrent between us rose higher to the surface. “Believe me, sweetie, Ialways knowwhen you’re around me.”

His words stole my breath, and I backed away slowly, needing some air. “I’ll…I’ll be inside.”

“I won’t be long,” Aster called after me.

I slipped through the back door, closed it behind me, and leaned against it, trying to catch my breath.

The closer we got, the more inevitable it became. The line of resistance between us was all but gone at this point. Maybe I should give in, consequences be damned.

Yet the moment was gone, and the night continued like it had never happened. Yet when I left a few hours later, my heart was torn.

Maybe it was time to just forget about this thing with Aster. My brother would never go for it, and every time Aster gave me an opening, I pulled away, afraid. Afraid that once I kissed him, I’d never stop. Or that once my brother knew, he’d stop speaking to us.

All I was doing was hurting us by hanging on. But no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t let go.

I didn’t hangout with Aster the next day or the following one, telling him I was busy with work, which wasn’t entirely untrue. I could’ve found the time, but I figured the couple of days apart might do us good.

When Saturday rolled around, nervous energy followed me all day. I scrubbed the hell out of my place, hoping to work some of it off, but it was no use.

Seeing Aster tonight at Leighton’s birthday get-together was all I could think about.

I honestly wasn’t sure what to expect as I pulled up to their orchard. Aster’s truck wasn’t there yet, and I hurried inside, wanting to down some liquid courage before he showed up.

“Auntie Jo Jo!” Sammy ran into my legs as soon as I walked through the door.

I scooped him into my arms and hoisted him on my hip. “Hi, Sammy. How’s my little buddy doing?” I tickled his belly and pointed at his pajama top. “Is that Elmo?”

“Yes, me love Elmo.” Sammy grabbed my cheeks with his pudgy hands and kissed my lips. I couldn’t help but laugh at his sweet adorableness.

“Sammy, are you loving on your favorite auntie?” Cash came up behind us and held out his arms for Sammy.

“Yes! Me love Auntie Jo Jo!” Sammy clapped before jumping into his dad’s arms. “Me love Unciee A!” He pointed behind me, and I moved out of the way as Aster walked through the door, his tall frame filling the doorway.

So much for my drink before seeing him.

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