Page 8 of Blind Date with a #MOUNTAINMAN

Jace wasted no time.

His mouth landed on mine and our lips fused together, as if we were made for each other, easily gliding into a kiss, the connection between us uncanny.

When he broke the kiss, both of us panting and out of breath, he smiled. “As long as we don’t fall in love with each other, we’re good. But a little fun never hurt.” He winked and my panties flooded with heat.

I scoffed jokingly. “Love? Not possible.” Cynicism at its finest.

“Stranger things have happened. Can you take tomorrow off or is that too soon?”

“I can take tomorrow off.”

“Perfect. Then I’ll be here bright and early. In my Nan’s car. It’s a Buick so no laughing.” He kissed me once more and after helping me pick up the dishes, we said goodnight.

When I climbed into bed later, I couldn’t stop smiling at the thought of spending the day with Jace. At a vineyard no less.

As I typed an email to my boss, requesting the rest of the week off, a thrill ran through me. Like I was skipping school or something, the high from kissing Jace and now requesting time off at work was completely new to me.

But I loved it.

Every delicious second.

This new side of me emerging from the shadows was about to have some much-needed fun.

I’d ignored her for too long. It was time to come out and play.

CHAPTER FIVE

Iris

Our tripto the vineyard turned into another, and soon we were hanging out whatever chance we got. My days were free without work and Jace didn’t hesitate to find us things to do. Over the next few days, we spent a lot of time together. From visiting two different vineyards, to joining our grandma’s book club meeting, and having dinner with each of them, I’d never had so much fun before.

Jace was unlike anyone I’d ever met before. He was so kind and caring, his love for his Nan shining bright, along with his passion for his business. He talked about the process of applesauce making for almost an hour one evening over dinner and how he loved finding new ways to improve and expand the product.

On the outside, his brawny tough look could give someone the wrong impression. But his ooey gooey insides could melt the coldest of hearts. Like mine. Defrosting more and more as the minutes passed.

All of my coldness had been replaced by Jace’s warmth, and I found myself laughing and carefree, in one of the best moods of my life.

Jace took my hand in his as we exited Emily’s apartment building together. She invited us over for dinner and cooked us a feast of roasted chicken, potatoes, and mixed veggies. Emily had begged to meet him before he headed back home, and I finally gave in. She also insisted this happy, chipper version of myself couldn’t possibly be real.

Hell, I didn’t think it was real.

But he was leaving in just a few, short days.

Something I kept pretending wasn’t happening.

I didn’t want him to leave. I liked who I was when he was around.

“Emily is a trip. Were you really that grumpy before I came along?”

I grimaced, a small laugh escaping my throat. “No, Emily loves to overexaggerate.”

“Well, I kind of remember the first time we met…maybe she’s not overexaggerating as much as you think.” Jace smirked.

“Yeah, yeah.” I muttered and Jace laughed.

“Doesn’t matter to me. I think you’re a peach.”

“A peach, huh?”

---