Page 7 of Mountain Man's Mail Order Challenge
“This is…” I exhaled. “Wow.”
“Yeah,” he said, voice low. “Doesn’t matter how many times I see it. Always knocks the breath out of me.”
I glanced over at him, arms folded, weight braced against the railing. He wasn’t looking at me, but I could feel the tension radiating off him. He was still coiled tight.
“Do you think people sneak up here to have sex?” I asked casually, eyes still on the view.
He turned his head slowly, eyebrows raised. “What?”
“I mean, it’s quiet. Kind of hidden. And the view’s amazing.”
He stared at me like he wasn’t sure if I was joking.
“I’m just saying…” I scanned the area, gesturing at the empty tower. “You’d never know unless you caught someone. It’s not that remote, but it’s not right off the road either.”
He cleared his throat and looked back out the window. “I guess it’s possible.”
I smiled to myself, fingers trailing along the windowsill. “Feels kind of exciting, knowing someone could walk in at any minute.”
He said nothing.
I took a step closer. “What would you do if I made a move on you right now?”
His head turned sharply.
I shrugged, biting the corner of my lip. “You said you weren’t looking to get married. You didn’t say anything about sex.”
His eyes darkened. “I’d ask if you were serious.”
“I am.”
I could see his jaw clenching, the way he breathed just a little deeper.
“But there’s something I should tell you,” I added.
His eyes widened. Was he bracing for whatever I was about to say?
“I’ve never done this before,” I said. “Like, ever. I’m a virgin.”
The silence stretched.
“But,” I continued, “I don’t want to be. I’ve been waiting—not for the right guy, but for the right moment. SomethingI’d remember. Something…adventurous.” I looked around the dusty old tower with its cracked windows, the view behind us so big it almost swallowed the sky. “This is pretty damn adventurous.”
His throat worked as he swallowed. “You sure?”
“I’m not some innocent little flower, Collin. I know what I want, and I want you. Here. Now.”
Another beat of silence. Then he stepped closer, eyes locked on mine.
“You have any idea what you’re asking me?” he asked, voice rough.
“Yes.”
“And if I say yes, you don’t get to take it back.”
“I’m not going to.”
He exhaled, long and low, like he was losing a battle with himself. Then he said the words I was hoping for.
