Page 6 of Mail Order Mountain Man

My chest tightens. Maggie was the last one to touch my profile. What did she write? “I did,” I cough. “Yours were blank. Mine should’ve been, too.” Is this why he brought me here? Is he only interested in me because he thinks I’m into some weird sex stuff? I’m going to kill Maggie.

Cole flips the steaks on the grill and glances toward me. “The profile said you were into domination play.”

I laugh and my face burns. “Well, I’m a virgin so… I’m not sure I even know what that means.” Why did I tell him I’m a virgin? And why did I say I don’t know what domination means? Of course I know what it means. I think about a big, strong man dominating my body every single day. Still, I can’t believe Maggie checked that box. I slap my hand over my face and walk toward the tree by the door before grabbing my coat and purse. “I think we’re good here. I’m going to head out.”

“No. Don’t go. I’m sorry if I scared you. I thought it was intriguing.”

I roll my eyes. “I bet you did.”

He laughs. “Not like that. I didn’t bring you here because of your kinks. I brought you here because when we were talking outside of the diner, you seemed sassy, and it made me smile. The whole domination kink is just some extra seasoning on your personality. I can’t say I’ve ever met someone bold enough to put that on a dating profile.”

I’m going to murder Maggie.

“Look, I don’t know if you’re some kind of fetish guy or what, but I’m not interested in anything weird. Like I soembarrassinglysaid… I’m a sad, pathetic twenty-four-year-old virgin.”

He makes his way around the counter, his big muscles flexing. I know I’m trying to fight his advances, but I bet he’d be good at dominating someone. I can see him bending me over, smacking my ass, and giving me orders to suck his cock.

My clit swells at the thought before I shake my head back into reality.

“I’m so sorry I brought it up. It was one of the few things you had on there that I could see, so I thought it was something that was cool to talk about. Looking back, though, it was dumb of me to bring it up when I did. I promise I’m not a weirdo.”

“Honestly, myex-best friend, Maggie, overstepped.” I shake my head with a smile. “She wants me to put everything out there and I’m definitely not ready to be having this conversation any time soon.”

He nods and makes his way back to the kitchen. “We don’t have to talk about it again.” He pulls the steaks off the grill and lays them onto a tray next to the foil wrapped potatoes. “We can eat and talk about town gossip. Have you seen what they’re doing down near the train station? I think someone is opening up a flower shop.”

I sit at the small oak table next to the fireplace and take a bite of the steak. “Haven’t heard of the flower shop, but I’m impressed with the steak. Is there anything you’re not good at?”

He laughs. “There’s a newer farm to table restaurant put together by Waylon’s daughter, Kate, that would put this steak to shame. Besides, if I ever do leave the construction thing, I’m probably going to pursue building my sculpture and woodworking dreams.”

“Don’t you get lonely up here, though? I mean, going to work must get you out with people. If you worked solely on your sculptures, you’d never see anyone.”

He smiles. “I think I’d be okay with that. I’m not a huge people person, anyway. Though I do wish I had someone to share all this with.”

I’m reminded of Maggie’s question earlier. “Why don’t you have someone? You seem like a nice guy, and you’ve got this nice house, this great property, a good job…”

He shrugs. “Women tell me I’m stubborn.”

“A very upfront answer,” I laugh. “How so?”

A warm grin brightens his face. “I guess I like things a certain way and I get ornery about it. I think it’s becoming worse the older I get. Besides, women my age are all on their second or third marriages. They have kids and they don’t want more. That said, you’re the first woman I’ve been matched with that didn’t have all of that. But the way tonight’s going, I’m not sure you’ll be back for seconds.”

I’m not sure why I feel the need to console him, but I do. “I’m sorry. I think it’s partly my fault you’re feeling this way. I signed up for this service hoping to find my soul mate and instead I’ve gone through a string of losers. That’s why I’ve been hesitant to even give you a shot.”

He holds his hand over the table as though he wants to hold mine. It’s big and calloused, a working man’s hand. I let my palm melt into his, warmth radiating through me.

“I’m Cole,” he says. “I’m forty-five. I’m a contractor that happens to work for your dad, and I carve random shit out of wood. I learned from my father, who spent his life whittling trinkets. My parents live in Wyoming near the Utah border. I’ve got one sibling, a brother, who’s moving down here next month. I’ve dated here and there, but nothing serious in years. What about you?”

I bite my bottom lip and try to ignore the way his forearms flex as his thumb brushes my wrist. It’s a small subtle movement, but the way he does it is so manly, so… tough. What is it about older men that does it for me? He’s so rough and brooding. He’s got his life figured out, he’s hot as hell, and I’d bet if I gave him permission, he’d spank me for being his naughty little girl.

I shake my head back to reality. “I’m Junie. I work at Waylon’s ranch. I’m a horse trainer, which really helps because I’m going to vet school. Umm… my mom passed when I was young of cancer. And my dad, as you know, is a nutcase. I love the country and I’m never leaving.” I shrug. “Oh, and I’m also into the dom-sub thing.” I laugh.

He nearly chokes on his beer. “Well… you said it yourself that time.”

“Yeah. I figure if it’s out there, I might as well own it. What about you? You left the kink box blank.”

He pulls another sip of beer in what seems to be a distraction. “I’ve never had anyone ask me that question.”

“Until a second ago, when I did.”

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