Page 3 of Candy Kisses with the Mountain Man
She blushes prettily. Looking up at me through dark eyelashes. It’s a look that makes me want to grab her and kiss her.
And then I ask her something I’ve rarely asked anyone before. “Do you want to dance?”
Chapter 3
Candy
We’ve been moving slowly closer together at the bar. I’m so aware of every time our knees touch, or how close his arm is to mine. The occasional graze of my body against his. The way his wry half smile makes my stomach do backflips and how it might feel if he kissed me. To be wrapped up in those strong arms. To feel his lips on mine.
I’ve been so wrapped up in Jackson, I hadn’t even noticed that the bar had started to fill up and a band was starting to tune up on the stage. The drinks have gone to my head, I don’t usually let down my guard like this, but it feels good. Talking with Jackson is as exciting as Christmas morning used to be as a kid. Feeling his eyes on me. Wondering what he might say next.
“I like you.” Those words rang out like a bell. Isn’t this what I have always wanted? To be the one who is looked at. But for far too long I’ve lived my life on the outside looking in.
It’s my glass half full. I get to be there to see other people being happy. I bake sweet treats to bring others joy. I’ve come to terms with it. My lot in life.
But now this handsome man is paying me attention. Listening when I talk. Looking at me with heat in his eyes. And I haven’t missed the dirty looks he has been sending his brother whenever he comes back around to re-fill our drinks.
Do I want to dance?
God, yes! More than anything, I want to dance with a handsome man who makes my heart beat fast and makes me feel hot all over.
But as we spin around on the dance floor, his arms around me. Laughing and smiling. Feeling the heat off his body and the heat behind those looks, I remind myself that this is just a moment.
Tomorrow I’ll be back to being the girl serving up joy to others. So I enjoy this for what it is. A moment in time. I’m going to soak up every morsel of this night. I’m going to drink all the Christmas drinks, enjoy every touch, every laugh, and love every moment.
Several hours later, I walk outside with Jackson. I’m a little wobbly on my feet and lean against his strong frame for warmth and support. He smells so good, like warm vanilla, spices and whiskey. My head on his chest, my gripping at his shirt. His body rock hard under my touch. I don’t normally drink a lot but I like the way the world is slightly spinning and my inhibitions are lowered.
I’m a virgin, but could this be the night I have my first time with a man? With a very sexy, hot, beautiful man. I look up into his face and grin. He looks at me with a hunger I recognise. His gaze drops to my lips.
I turn to face him, leaning my body against his. His arms around me, I get lost in his eyes. I have so many feelings welling up inside of me. My stomach is doing little flips. There is so much I want to say to him and yet the words feel stuck in my throat.
He lowers his head. His lips touch mine. Gentle. A soft kiss and yet heat rushes through me. He deepens the kiss. Tongue against tongue. My heart is racing.
I feel hot like a fever has taken me. I want more. I have so many emotions building and building.
I can’t believe this is happening.
The world spins.
Everything spins.
Oh my God.
I rip my mouth away from him. Bend over and empty the contents of my stomach all over the sidewalk. And his shoes. Splattering up his legs. I mumble an apology just before everything goes dark.
Chapter 4
Jackson
I carried Candy over to the Sheriff office. It would be easier to get her a room at the hotel but I already know it is full due to the festival. And Jasper had mentioned that he didn’t think she was staying there. So I got her settled in the cot we keep in the back office. Taking off her shoes so she is more comfortable. Laying two blankets over her to ensure she is warm. Placing a bucket and a bottle of water by her side. And then I went to my desk to think.
Talking to Candy, she had seemed sweet and excitable, lit up with sunshine and goodness. But the truth is she is likely just passing through. I’ve had my share of relationships, but, unlike my brothers, I’ve never hooked up with an out of towner. I don’t trust these people who live their life traveling around. I believe in a house, a home, a town where everybody knows you. There is safety in that. Familiarity and predictability.
I hope Candy isn’t like the many drifters I’ve seen come and go. I hope she isn’t some party girl and that it was just Jasper’s sickly cocktails that got to her. There is something about the girl that makes me want to look after her. Protect her. Hold her. Touch her. But she is not mine to fix, and the truth is that I just won’t know what she is really like until we can talk again.
The next morning I wake up stiff and sore from sleeping in my office chair. The cot in the back is empty, Candy gone, the blankets folded. Despite wanting so badly to see her again, I decided to go home and take a shower and have a sleep before seeking her out at the festival.
And so, it was around lunch time that I make my way through the festival. Lines of stalls selling hand crafted Christmas items. So many different smells from all of the food trucks. Crowds of people milling about. And then I see her. In a tiny little coffee trailer, painted bright pink. Like its owner, it’s small but stands out in a crowd. Candy is in the window, all smiles with her customers.
