Page 3 of Crushing on the Mountain Man

Gran’s cabin has two small windows but the trees are so close it is always dark inside. Knox is once again without his shirt. It just feels wrong to be standing inside, in such close quarters, with a half naked, sexy hot man.

“It still all looks the same, just as when we were kids. Except, some of this wood work doesn’t look too sturdy.” Knox is looking around as though this is just a normal situation.

“It’s nothing like your place.”

“That house is too big. It’s ridiculous. I remember that old loft. I always thought that was so cool.”

“That’s where we used to sleep.” God, this feels awkward. “Are you up here for the summer?” I ask.

“I live here.” He does a little shrug. He seems so relaxed, while I am a bag of nerves. “I help out at the store. I fix light bulbs and generators. And I have a bit of a side business.”

With his family money I am sure Knox doesn’t have to work. Must be nice to just live by the lake all year round and not have to worry about a career or paying bills.

“What sort of side business?” I ask, out of curiosity.

He pauses for a moment before answering. “I post stuff on social media. Just me doing stuff. Hammering in nails or taking out the rubbish.”

I frown and it dawns on me. “You doing stuff without a shirt on?”

He grins at me. And then he shrugs. “People seem to like it.”

I laugh. “I bet they do….Oh, I don’t mean I would like it….watch it… I mean, you’re hot so I guess I….. well, good for you.” My face on fire I turn around to move a small vase on the table that doesn’t need moving.

I decide to put the vase in a cupboard and slam the door shut with a little too much force. A loud crack fills the air.

I look up but then suddenly Knox has his arms wrapped around me and dives us to the floor. His body takes most of the impact but the shock leaves me breathless.

His arms still wrapped around me, I look over to see a part of the beam has fallen to the floor.

Looking back at Knox I find his face close to mine. So close I can feel his breath on my cheek. The rise and fall of his chest with my body held close to his. All at once I feel a rush ofheat. My mind whirls, trying to grasp the fact I’m lying on the floor with Knox. His arms around me. Thighs touching. Hips touching. Chest touching. I blink up into his green eyes. Lick my lips and his gaze drops to the movement.

Is he going to kiss me? Do I want him to kiss me? Does he think I want to kiss him? And why am I feeling so hot all over?

We stare into each other's eyes. The cabin dark and silent. My heart racing. I don’t know whether to touch him as I want to or get up and get the hell out of there.

“Shit. Sorry.” I awkwardly get up to my feet while he seems to jump up, like the fit, athletic God he is.

Looking upwards, he takes my hand and pulls me away towards the door. “Well, I definitely don’t think you should be sleeping up there anymore.”

“No. I don’t.” I sputter. “I sleep in the bedroom.”

He looks at me. A look of concern on his face. “Look, why don’t you come stay with me? Or you can stay at the big house if you want? Nobody is there.”

“No. No.” I shake my head. “I couldn’t do that. I’ll be fine here. It’s not like the whole place is going to collapse. You don’t have to worry about me.” After that moment passed between us on the floor, I just want him to get out of there and to never see him again.

I would be mortified if he knew that I still have a crush on him. I’m trying to pretend to be a grown up, sophisticated woman here. And it seems that around him I turn into a stuttering idiot.

Chapter 4

Knox

There is something different about Brandy. Of course, she is all grown up into a beautiful woman. But there is something else. The spark is missing. It’s like a wall has been put up and the real Brandy is hidden.

Whatever it is, I am determined to get to the bottom of it. I owe it to her Gran who has always been so nice to me. To her brother Byron who was my friend for so many summers when we were kids. And, there is something that draws me to her.

She is beautiful, there is no doubt about that. Holding her body next to mine set a fire within me and that had me thinking about her all through the night. But there is a stubborn tilt to her chin I find just adorable. Her lips are so damn sexy and I could get lost in her eyes forever. Light blue. Like the morning mist over the lake. But with a splash of hazel, like the river rocks. Just amazing.

So Brandy can say she doesn’t want me around. She can say she wants to fix up the cabin on her own. But I have a responsibility to make sure she is alright. That’s what I am telling myself when I turn up at her door the next morning with coffee and donuts.

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