Page 3 of Mountain Man's Holiday Home
A flush crept up his neck. “Yeah, about that…sorry. I wasn’t expecting Luca’s little sister to be so…” He trailed off, shaking his head.
“So what?”
“Grown up,” he finished, his voice rough again.
The air between us seemed to shimmer with tension. I was acutely aware of how close we were standing, of the way his eyes kept dropping to my lips, of the fact that we were essentially alone in this corner of the lot.
“Lainey,” Luca’s voice called from across the lot, shattering the moment. “You okay over there? Thought I heard you wrestling with something.”
“Fine,” I called back, not taking my eyes off Hendrix. “Just getting Mrs. Percival’s tree ready.”
“I should probably go find him,” Hendrix said, though he didn’t move. “That’s actually why I came by. Wanted to surprise him.”
“He’ll be thrilled to see you.” I meant it. Luca didn’t talk much about his military buddies, but I knew he missed them. “He’s been working too hard lately. Could use a friendly face.”
“What about you?” The question caught me off guard. “Could you use a friendly face?”
I stared at him, my heart doing that fluttering thing again. “I…what do you mean?”
“I mean, I’m going to be in town until Monday.” He stepped closer. So close that I had to tilt my head back to look at him. “Maybe we could…I don’t know. Get coffee? When you’re not being attacked by evergreens?”
“I’d like that,” I heard myself say. “I’d really like that.”
His smile was slow and devastating. “Good. It’s a date then. Or, you know, coffee. Whatever you’re comfortable with.”
“Hendrix?” Luca’s voice was closer now, and I could hear his footsteps crunching through the lot. “Holy shit, is that really you?”
Hendrix turned toward my brother’s voice, his face lighting up. “Hey there, stranger.”
I watched as they embraced, slapping each other on the back with the casual affection of old friends. They immediately fell into easy conversation, catching up on years of missed time, but I noticed that Hendrix kept glancing my way.
And every time he did, I felt that same little jolt of electricity, the same flutter in my chest.
Mrs. Percival’s tree stood forgotten between us, perfectly netted and ready for pickup.
But somehow, I had a feeling the real work was just beginning.
2
HENDRIX
I’d laid eyes on her only yesterday, but she was somehow even more beautiful today.
Maybe it was the ridiculous pink sequined Santa hat catching what little sunlight broke through the clouds, flashing like it was daring me not to stare. Or the way her puffer coat matched it perfectly, framing a tumble of thick, wavy blonde hair. The whole look had my dick stirring for the first time in…a while.
Whatever it was, one look at her and I knew I hadn’t imagined it—she really was the most stunning woman I’d ever seen. Which was exactly why, when I heard Luca needed help delivering a tree, I didn’t hesitate. I’d been sitting with Gunnar at breakfast at the diner just outside the farm entrance when Luca’s text came through. I hopped to my feet and tossed a few bills on the table.
“I’ll take care of it,” I’d told Gunnar. “Go on to work.”
“You sure, man?” he’d asked.
I’d nodded. “Got nothing else to do today. I’ll meet you back at the cabin just before dinner.”
“Did someone call for coffee?” I asked now.
She looked up. She’d been standing behind the podium that served as their checkout desk, tablet in hand, but now she looked up, eyes wide. Those eyes shifted from the two disposable cups I held to my face.
“You again,” she said. The words might seem off-putting in any other tone, but there was warmth in the way she said them, and her eyes were sparkling almost as much as her hat. I’d take it.
