Page 4 of Sugarplummed By the Mountain Man
Her lips press together tightly before she shakes her head, looking contrite. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have pried. She must’ve been an amazing person for you to do this for her every year, even though she’s not here and you don’t enjoy it.”
“It’s really okay. She was an amazing woman, who gave me the best life possible given the circumstances. Decorating is a double-edged sword. It helps me feel closer to her, even if it also brings with it the sadness of missing her. I wouldn’t have told you if I didn’t want to. Besides, it was kinda fun messing with you.”
Her head whips my direction, eyes narrowed. “What do you meanmessingwith me?”
I don’t attempt to contain my smirk this time as my shoulder rises and falls. “I knew what you wanted to know off the bat, but it was more fun making you work for it instead.”
Her eyes roll, but I see her grin before she covers it with her mug. “That’s how it’s going to be, huh?”
Yep, this interruption just might be worth it after all.
Chapter Five
Anya
Any persisting apprehension about being stuck with a man I don’t know from Adam fades away completely as Thane and I chat. Not only is the man sexy as all get out, but he’s fascinating as well. I can’t wait to dive into reading his books, but I’m not going to do that until after we’ve exhausted ourselves talking. Why read about his stories when I can hear them from his own lips?
And what sensual lips they are. I’ve never seen a man with such plump, succulent lips. They’re framed perfectly by his trim dark beard, and I can only imagine what the combination would feel like as it drags across my body. The thought of the contradiction of the soft skin and coarse hair has goosebumps forming on my arms.
Andthatthought has me remembering I still need to take one of the ovulation tests out in my car. When Thane announces he’sgoing to make some dinner for us, I see my opportunity to go out and get my things since I’m not going anywhere anytime soon.
“I’m going to go grab some of my things from the car,” I holler to him as I slip my feet into my boots and throw on my coat.
“Need any help?”
Gah, the man is sweet. Completely different from my initial impression of him. Make no mistake, the air of danger is still firmly present, but it’s been softened completely after getting to know him more. “Nope. I got it, thanks.”
The snow is now up to my knees as I wade the few feet from the porch to my SUV, which is piled high with snow as well. I can only imagine how stuck I would be if I had tried to keep going. I brush off as much as I can before opening the door so I don’t get doused when it does open. Quickly, I grab my tote and suitcase and lug them back inside with me.
“It’s getting deep out there,” I report once I’m inside and once again peeling off my coat.
“Good thing you’re not out driving in it then, huh?” He winks at me as I enter the kitchen.
My eyes roll of their own accord. “Yeah, yeah. I thought the same thing.”
He tips his chin at the bags in my hands, while he continues to assemble what looks like might be grilled cheese sandwiches on the counter next to the stove in the U-shaped kitchen. “You can put those in the spare room if you’d like. Second door on the right. First one is the bathroom.”
Heading down the hall, I peek into the open doors of his office and bedroom before entering the room indicated. I heave the suitcase onto the bed, digging through it to find the toiletries bag I stashed the box of tests in. Once I have it, I proceed into the bathroom. Peeing on a stick is just as fun as it sounds and twice as hard not to get urine on your hand. Mission accomplished,I snap the cap back on and wash my hands while I wait the required two minutes for the test to do its thing.
I study the box while I wait. It says if I’m ovulating it should show a blinking smiley face or if I’m at peak ovulation, the face won’t be blinking. I’m not surprised when a non-blinking smiley face shows up. No wonder I want to climb Thane like a tree. I mean, he’s so stinking hot I probably would any other time as well, but right now my body and hormones are craving a virile man. And there’s no denying the virility of this one.
A thought starts to form in my mind when I’m startled by Thane’s shout. “Take your time, but just letting you know this is ready whenever you are.”
“Be right there.” I shove the test and box into my toiletries pouch on the counter before taking a deep breath and blowing it out in an attempt to clear my mind. Hoping with all I have I don’t walk out with a bright red face.
Exiting the bathroom, I find a stack of grilled sandwiches and two steaming bowls on the small dark wood dining table between the kitchen and living areas.
“Would you like something to drink? There’s beer, milk, water, OJ, or I can make more hot chocolate if you’d like,” Thane asks from where he’s rinsing the pan from the soup.
“Milk would be good, but I can get it if you point me to the glasses.”
He tips his head to the right. “Second cabinet from the sink.”
“Would you like anything?” I ask as I open the indicated cupboard.
His mouth tips up at one corner. “Sure, I’ll take milk too. Thanks.”
I pull down two blue glasses before grabbing the milk jug from the fridge and filling them. I carrying them over to the table before taking a seat, Thane right behind me.
