Page 16 of Admiring the Mountain Man
That single word unravels the last of my restraint. I crush my mouth to hers, swallowing her gasp as my hands slide down to grip her from behind. Every inch of her is soft and warm.
I shift, the rough drag of denim making me grit my teeth. Every heartbeat throbs lower, hotter, until I’m half-hard just from the scent of her skin, the way her tongue darts out to wet her lips.
If she so much as brushes against me, I’m done for.
Despite knowing my limits, I can’t help but step closer, aching for whatever form of touch I can get.
I break the kiss just enough to growl against her lips, “Where’s your bedroom, Kelsie?”
Her fingers tighten in my hair. “Down the hall.”
I break the kiss just enough to whisper against her lips. “Show me.”
Her pupils grow, understanding flaring hot between us. Without a word, she takes my hand, fingers twining tight with mine as she pulls me away from the kitchen.
The second we cross into her room—soft light, rumpled sheets, the scent of her skin clinging to the air—she lets go of my hand. I don’t waste a second. My palms find her waist, dragging her close as I yank her shirt up and over her head in one rough motion.
It’s like the wind’s been punched out of me.
She’s all smooth skin and sharp breaths, the dip of her collarbone begging for my mouth. My hands drag toward her chest, thumbs brushing the lace edge of her bra, and I swear my next inhale burns—like I’ve forgotten how to fucking breathe.
“Kelsie—” My voice is wrecked already.
Discovering that her blush isn’t just for her cheeks, my eyes follow along every inch the pink runs as I take her in.
“I have something to admit to you…” She shivers as I squeeze her sides. Eyes darting to the side, her next breath catches in her chest as she prepares her words. “I’ve never done this before. Sure, I’ve kissed people before, but everything else…”
The motion of my thumbs pauses as she lets me in on her secret.
“You’ve never let a man touch you like this?” My voice is low, rough with disbelief, but something warmer flickers beneath it—a tenderness I can’t quite hide.
She shakes her head, her cheeks flushing deeper as her fingers twist nervously together. “No. Never.”
A slow breath leaves me, my grip on her gentling as the weight of her confession settles between us. I trace the curve of her waist, marveling at the trust she’s just handed me—fragile and unspoken, but so damn precious.
“And you chose me?” The words slip out before I can stop them, hushed with something like awe.
Her eyes finally lift to mine, shy but steady. “I wanted it to be you. From the moment you first started coming to the bar, actually.”
Something fierce and possessive tightens in my chest, but softer, too—a protectiveness, a reverence. I brush my thumb along her jaw, tilting her face up as my other hand laces with hers, squeezing gently.
“Then we go slow,” I murmur, pressing a kiss to her knuckles. “Who’s to say I can even keep up with you? I’m old and damaged.”
And yet, she wants me. Despite all the chats we’ve shared, and anything she’s witnessed when I wasn’t aware, she still wanted me.
Blowing out a laugh, she pinches my shirt, giving it a tug. As I help her peel off my shirt, she’s just as guilty for eating me up with her eyes. “You’re hardly either of those things. I just might need a little guidance, that’s all. Plus, I don’t want to hurt you.”
Her eyes drift down to my hip, where the faintest traces of scars peek above my belt. She’s always been like this—selfless, putting others before herself. Even now, her concern isn’t for her own inexperience, but for me.
A quiet determination settles in my chest. One way or another, we’ll make this work. But more than that—by the time we’re done, I’ll make sure she’s the one who loses herself in it.
The one who forgets everything but pleasure.
7
Kelsie
My hands are getting clammy as my nerves betray me.
