Page 3 of Blind Date with a #MOUNTAINMAN

He said my name.

He’s not…he can’t be…

“Yes, that’s me. And you are?” I arched my eyebrow, pretending like I didn’t know this sexy as fuck man was my blind date, Jace.

He chuckled, his eyes drawing me in more. “Jace, your blind date. Nice to meet you. I’d offer you a handshake but that seems a little weird, so how about a hug?” Jace opened his arms, his verybeefyarms might I add, and there was no way I wasn’t accepting this man’s hug, awkward or not.

If only Emily could see me now…

His arms enveloped me in a way no other hug had before. Like I was safe, secure, and protected, his calming presence working its way through me. His scent infiltrated my nose,sending desire coursing through my veins in ways I never expected, my panties now drenched, my legs clamped shut.

I didn’t let go until he backed away, wanting the feeling to stay forever, a high I’d never be able to duplicate.

Who the fuck am I right now?A damn horny toad?

“Mmm, that felt nice.” Jace smiled and dropped his arms back at his sides.

I cleared my throat, a burn rushing to my cheeks. I said nothing and instead buried my face in the menu. Men didn’t have an effect on me like Jace did and I felt lost and out of control. I needed to reel it back in and get this date over with.

When I didn’t say anything, Jace filled the silence, his voice calming. “Any idea what you might order? I’m feeling like a good burger, or maybe a steak. Nothing beats my Nan’s cooking though, that’s for sure. Last night, she made my favorite dish of beef stew in a bread bowl with melted cheese on top. It was amazing.”

I’ve barely said five words to this man, and he talked like we were old friends. Was he always so kind? Didn’t it become tiring?

“What’s your favorite meal?” Jace asked.

I shrugged. “Don’t really have one. Food is more of a necessity to me.” Internally, I cringed at the way I sounded. But I couldn’t help the irritation in my voice. He was too damn chipper for me. And my stubborn ass did have a favorite meal. It was chicken parmesan and only my Mimi could make it just the way I liked it.

“Gotcha.” Jace went back to browsing the menu.

A few minutes of silence stretched between us, and the air was stifling. I killed the mood.Ugh, why aren’t I home right now?

Jace closed the menu and flagged the bartender down. “Would you like a refill?” He nodded at my near empty glass.

“Sure, thanks.”

More silence fell between us, and I wiggled in my seat, the awkwardness filling like a balloon stretched to its max capacity.

Jace ordered a glass of wine for each of us, which intrigued me. He liked wine? A strong merlot, to be exact. One of my favorites.

“You enjoy wine?” I asked, unable to hold back my curiosity.

“That I do. Never was a fan of beer or hard liquor. But a nice, sweet red wine, I’ll take any day. You?”

“Yeah, same here.”

“Not much of a talker, hmm?” Jace grinned.

I sighed. “Look, it’s been a long day. I promised my grandmother I’d go on this date because she kept nagging at me, telling me I need to settle down soon, when really, I want to be home, in my pjs, on my couch, watching TV.”

“Well, why don’t we do that, then?”

“What?” I asked, baffled.

“Get this dinner to go, head back to your place, and veg out on the couch. I promise not to hog the remote.”

“But I don’t even know you.”

“Your grandma, Mimi, is it? She’s a good friend of my Nan’s, and I happened to meet her last night when the ladies got together. I’m sure if we call either one of them, they’ll vouch for me.”

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