Page 4 of Fascinated with the Mountain Man

When I pulled into Aster’s driveway, he stood outside on his porch, a steaming coffee mug in each hand.

I waved and parked my car, climbing out of it quickly. I wanted to be near him, around him, and inhale his woodsy scent.

He smiled while he watched me stroll toward him, his look intense, as if he were undressing me with his eyes. “Good morning. What a great way to start my day, seeing you first thing.”

I swallowed hard, and my body grew warm from head to toe. “Morning. Itisa good way to start the day, isn’t it?”

“Mm-hmm. Coffee?” He handed me the mug while taking my camera gear from me, and I immediately accepted it.

“Yes, please. Thank you.” I sipped the hot, nutty, perfectly sweet and creamy coffee and let out a little moan. “Delicious.”

Aster winked, and my heart leaped. “I’ll never reveal my secrets.” He leaned close and whispered in my ear, “Okay, I’ll tell you. It’s cinnamon.”

I giggled like a little schoolgirl. I was ridiculous. “Ha, you can’t keep a secret for long.”

“Not around you. C’mon, let’s get inside. It’s chilly today.” Aster nodded his head toward the front door, and I led the way inside. I’d been here plenty of times before, and it felt like home every time.

I expected the stampede of dogs, but the cabin was quiet despite the faint clucking of chickens. “Where’re the pups?” I asked as I walked through the foyer and into the kitchen. A large, sweeping great room ran along the side and back of the cabin, which included the kitchen with an island, a dining room, and a large living room. I loved the open floor plan with the large sliding back door leading out to a porch.

A pantry and mudroom sat in the back with another door out into the farm, and a hallway led to a half bathroom, an office, and a large lounge room with the comfiest plush sectional couch. Upstairs was a full bath, three bedrooms, and a primary bedroom suite with a large bathroom. Aster’s cabin was gorgeous, plain and simple.

“They’re out back, probably getting into some kind of trouble. I’m sure they’d be happy to see you, though. Want me to call them in?”

“That’s okay. I’ll see them later.” I sat on one of the barstools next to the kitchen island and sipped my coffee. Ginger, Mocha,and Nellie were his three herding Shepard dogs, their fluffy coats fun to pet. “What were you thinking for the photos? Anything in particular?”

Aster placed my bag and gear down gently next to the kitchen island and sat on a stool beside me. His closeness caused my breath to catch in my throat. “Nope. I trust you.”

I let out a nervous laugh. “No ideas whatsoever?”

“Well, I kind of have a little confession.”

My stomach took a nosedive, and every nerve ending lit on fire. “Oh no.”

Aster chuckled so low it sounded like a growl. A hungry growl. “I’d love some photos of my farm with your creative eye, maybe a day in the life or different photos of the animals, but honestly, I really just wanted a reason to get you over here.”

“You did? Why?” I played dumb, not believing this could be real.

“I think you know the answer to that.” Aster’s voice was so deep and low, I shifted in my seat, unable to quell the friction of desire between my legs. “But I can show you if you’d like.”

CHAPTER THREE

Aster

Jolene jumpedup from her stool as if she’d been scolded and scrambled over to the coffee pot. “I need some more of this delicious coffee. Do you want more?”

I chuckled and shook my head. “I’ve had half a pot already. Feel free to drink the rest.”

Jolene busied herself with fixing her coffee, and I stared at her sexy ass in those jeans. Normally, she wore loose, flowy dresses that, while pretty, often hid her ample curves. But not those jeans.

Her hips and ass were on full display, and I studied every inch, my hands squeezing into fists at the thought of touching all her juiciness.

When she walked back over, she sat across from me instead of beside me, and my heart fell to my stomach. Maybe I came off a little too strong earlier. Perhaps she really didn’t feel the same way I did.

But I refused to believe that. I felt the chemistry between us. I saw the way she looked at me, and no way were the feelings one-sided. It was Caden. She wouldn’t ever go against her brother.

“Do you mind if we hang out and I take some pictures? I’d love to help you on the farm as well. I dressed for the occasion.” Jolene grinned and lifted her leg to show off her boots.

“I’d love that. We can do a day in the life. But I must warn you. It gets so exciting, you might not know what to do with yourself.”

---