Page 9 of Charmed By the Mountain Man

"Still, you're the one assembling everything."

"Beautiful, if you want to think I'm some sort of creative interior designer, you go right ahead. Honestly, I just think of myself as a trend follower. Plus Mom sends a lot of links when I’m starting a new house."

“Aha. You take direction well. Good to know.”

We both laugh for a moment, then grow quiet. Staring deeply into each other’s eyes, we both lean in. The kiss is slow and soft, hesitant at first, then her lips open and her fingers thread into the back of my hair as she pulls me closer. Gradually our kiss develops, opens, becomes a blur of heat.

After several minutes, I force myself to pull away. "Decision time, beautiful. Shall I be respectable and drive you home?"

"What's the other option?" Her sweet voice is barely a breath.

"Well, you do appear to love the lake. And I have a very large bed. Plenty of room for two. If you want to stay over, I can open the window and we can listen to the waves all night."

Her bottom lip disappears between her teeth for a few seconds. "You know, I do have the day off tomorrow…"

"My coffee here isn't nearly as good as my sister’s, but I'm sure we can struggle through in the morning."

"I'll just text my aunt quickly so she doesn’t worry." She flashes me a slightly guilty look. "I…may have already mentioned you to her. She said the Turner family are all wonderful people, and she was pleased that we're…hanging out."

Clasping her hand, I bring it to my lips to kiss each knuckle. "Hanging out? No way, baby. We're dating. You're my girlfriend. At least, that’s how I see it. Sounds good?"

Willa is already nodding. "Sounds great." She jumps up to grab her phone from her purse to send her text, while I have a little chat with myself.

It's much too soon for us to sleep together. Well, inthatway. I can't run the risk of scaring her away, even though I can tell from the way she reacts to me that she wants more as much as I do. But I feel like sleeping, as injust sleeping, with Willa in my arms might help her realize how special she already is to me.

And how I'm already thinking about forever.

7

WILLA

Huxley leads me slowly to the bedroom, stopping every few feet to kiss me, caress me, and otherwise tell me without words that he's fine with taking our time.

Every single thing about him is thoughtful. Caring. I don't think I've ever had anyone so concerned about every aspect of my life. Plus, the heat that rolls off him when he pins me to the wall takes my breath away. When he lifted me onto the counter earlier, it sent waves of desire to places I’ve honestly never paid much attention to before.

His strong hands are warm and firm yet gentle as he lifts me onto the edge of the bed. I love the way his huge hands are so careful as he slips off my shoes and socks, then pulls off my t-shirt.

Butterflies start to form a tornado in my lower belly as his dark eyes drink me in. Even though nothing has happened between us beyond kissing, my body has already decided: anything he wants is on the table. How could I not be under the spell of this breathtaking man?

His hands slide slowly up my sides, then up my arms to pin my wrists together. Then he grabs a thin blanket and wraps itonce around them to keep me in place. It's more a suggestion of restraint – I could easily pull my hands out if I wanted – but I get his message. He wants me to be still so that he can play. Okay, then!

His lips burn against mine, his strong fingers gripping my hip as he settles beside me. One long finger skims down my throat and into my cleavage. I gasp as his palm slides into my bra and across my breast, causing my spine to arch as I gasp into his lips.

His palm is warm against my skin, teasing my nipple with a quick stroke of his thumb until I'm melting against him. The more I gasp and flush and quiver, the darker Huxley's eyes burn.

My teeth sink into my bottom lip and I hold back a whimper as he unhooks the back of my bra. He pulls it up over my head, leaving it tangled near my wrists.

"Just relax, Angel." His deep voice is a soft growl. "I'm not going to take you tonight. I just need to taste you. Okay?"

My breath is shaky. "Okay."

He pulls off my jeans and panties together, and as soon as they hit the floor, Hux spreads my thighs, kneeling in front of the bed.

Even through his deep tan, I see a spark of color across his cheeks. His hands hook around the back of my knees, pulling me a few inches closer toward him. His palms caress down the back of my calves, then back up to my knees as he gently nudges them apart.

A deep shudder runs through me.This is actually happening.

My inhales are loud and ragged, but I don’t care. My heart pounds in my chest as my tight nipples point straight at the ceiling. His gaze alternates between staring between my thighs and then up at my breasts, rising and falling with each breath.

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