Page 18 of The Mountain Man's Untamed Bride
"Mmm, starving," I purred, channeling every adult film actress I'd ever accidentally encountered during late-night internet rabbit holes.
I brought the banana to my lips, parting them slowly. I gave the tip a gentle kiss before taking it into my mouth with exaggerated care. I hollowed my cheeks as I took it deeper, making a small, appreciative sound in the back of my throat.
Bodhi glanced up again, his brow furrowing slightly.
Encouraged, I increased my performance. I withdrew the banana halfway, then took it deeper, refusing to break visual connection.
"Are you... okay?" he asked, lowering his book. "Did you bite your tongue?"
I nearly choked. Was he serious? How could anyone be this dense?
"I'm fine," I said, recovering quickly. "Just enjoying my... fruit."
"You look like you're in pain," he observed, genuine concern in his voice. "Is it not ripe?"
"It's perfect," I insisted, doubling down on my performance. I licked the length of the banana with the tip of my tongue, swirling it around the end before taking it between my lips again.
Bodhi was definitely watching now, his book forgotten in his lap. Bewilderment gave way to something hungrier in his eyes. The pulse at his throat visibly quickened, and a faint sheen of perspiration appeared on his forehead despite the coolness of the evening. Progress!
"Do you like watching me eat... fruit?" I asked, licking my lips slowly.
He shifted uncomfortably in his seat, his fingers digging into the worn leather cover of his book. "Are you hungry? I have actual dinner leftovers if you want."
Frustration simmered in my chest. Was he playing dumb on purpose? Or did he genuinely not recognize flirtation when it was literally shoved in his face?
Time to take things up another notch. I slid the banana even deeper between my lips, holding his stare without blinking as I made my intentions unmistakable. His pupils expanded, leaving only a thin ring of amber around the edges, and I could see the rapid rhythm of his heartbeat at his throat. His breathing grew shallow, the scent of pine and smoke clinging to him as he leaned forward almost imperceptibly. Finally!
And then, driven by frustration and a desire to make my point unmistakably clear, I bit down hard, severing the banana with my teeth.
Bodhi visibly flinched, his hand dropping instinctively to protect his lap. His eyes widened in what could only be described as primal fear.
"What?" I asked innocently, chewing the piece of banana. "I'm still hungry. Got any more... long, firm fruit you'd like to share?"
He swallowed hard. "There's apples in the root cellar."
I nearly screamed. Instead, I finished the banana in two more aggressive bites, tossing the peel onto the coffee table with more force than necessary.
"You know what? I think I need something with more... power." I stood abruptly, marching back to my room. "Don't go anywhere."
"Wasn't planning on it," he called after me, sounding genuinely confused.
I returned moments later with Phase Two of my plan: a sleek, rhinestone-encrusted device that had cost more than my first car payment. I placed it on the coffee table between us, where the crystals caught the lamplight and scattered tiny rainbows across the wooden surface.
Bodhi stared at it for a long moment, his mouth slightly open.
"Is that... does it... why does it have so many buttons?" he finally managed, leaning forward to examine it more closely.
"It's a vibrator," I explained casually, as though discussing the weather. "Top of the line. This baby has seventeen different settings, from 'gentle flutter' to 'seismic event.' Waterproof, rechargeable, and yes, those are actual Swarovski crystals."
His face turned an interesting shade of red. "You... use this?"
"Not yet," I admitted. "But I've been looking forward to breaking it in. According to the reviews, the 'pulse wave' setting is so good it's made women cancel dates."
He choked slightly. "Why would you want that?"
"Because apparently it's that satisfying," I explained. "The 'I'd rather stay home with this than deal with disappointing men' kind of satisfying."
His Adam's apple bobbed as he swallowed. "That's... educational."
