Page 7 of Mountain Man's Pumpkin Spice
I nearly choked on my sip of soda. “Really?”
“Really.” He leaned back in the booth, studying my face. “You seem surprised.”
“I guess I am. I’m not used to…” I waved my hand vaguely. “This. Dating. Guys being interested.”
“Hard to believe.”
I laughed, but it came out a little shaky. “Trust me, it’s true. I’ve been so focused on building my spice business that I never really had time for relationships. I used to watch my friends fall for guys and think they were crazy for putting romance first.” I paused, realizing what I was revealing. “But now I think I get it.”
Ashe set down his burger, his attention fully on me. “What changed?”
The question hung in the air between us, and I felt my cheeks burn. I’d said too much, revealed too much. But looking into his dark green eyes, I couldn’t bring myself to lie.
“Meeting you,” I whispered.
The admission hung between us like a bridge I couldn’t cross back over. Ashe reached across the table and covered my hand with his.
“I’m glad you said that,” he said quietly. “Because I’ve been thinking about you since the moment we met. I couldn’t concentrate on work today.”
My heart hammered against my ribs. “Really?”
“Really.” His thumb traced across my knuckles. “I know we just met, but there’s something about you, Marissa. Something that makes me want to know everything about you.”
I swallowed hard, my mouth suddenly dry. “There’s not much to know. I’m pretty boring, actually. I mean, I’m twenty-three, and I’ve never even…”
I stopped myself, but it was too late.
“Never even what?”
I closed my eyes, mortified. “Never been with anyone. Like, ever. I’m still a virgin.”
When I opened my eyes, expecting to see judgment or pity, I found only understanding.
“There’s nothing wrong with that. You were focused on what mattered to you.”
“Until now.” The words slipped out before I could stop them.
Something shifted in his expression, grew more intense. “Marissa…”
“It’s crazy. We barely know each other. But I can’t stop thinking about you.” The words tumbled out in a rush. “And I keep wondering what it would be like if…”
“If what?”
I met his eyes, my heart pounding so hard I was sure he could hear it. “If tonight was the night I stopped waiting.”
Ashe’s hand tightened over mine. “Are you sure? Because once we cross that line…”
“I’m sure.” And surprisingly, I was. “I don’t want to overthink this anymore. I want to be with you.”
He signaled for the check, his eyes never leaving mine. “Then let’s get out of here.”
4
ASHE
The grounds looked different at night. I couldn’t exactly call them fairgrounds—they weren’t. The land wasn’t normally used for anything. The Harvest Market was the biggest thing that had happened in this town since the days when the plant was still open.
“Are you sure this isn’t illegal?” Marissa asked as she walked next to me, arms crossed over her chest. “It’d be embarrassing if the police showed up and arrested us.”
