She sucks in a breath as she looks at me with those wide eyes. Something tells me that she’s just like me, never having found even someone close to beingthatperson to her. Someone who wants her as much as I’m currently feeling.
“The moment I saw you, I felt something, Daphne. Something I’ve never felt with any of the women that damn company had sent me. For the first time, I think they got something right, and they don’t even know they’ve done it.”
I don’t want to give them more credit than they’re due. Honestly, I’m not sure they deserve it. Even if they want to go on and on about fate, I can’t help but want to believe that something so silly might actually have something to do with our meeting each other.
“Daphne…” Giving her body another squeeze, I shift just enough to show her how my body is reacting to her. There’s no denying how hard I am. The things this woman is doing to me… “Even if it makes me a greedy bastard, I want you to give love another chance. Take a risk with me. I’d take care of you in every way possible.”
It’s a big ask, I know. But if we share more than a couple of things in common, then she knows a connection like this doesn’t come often enough.
“Everyone I’ve met hasn’t been made for the mountain, and maybe it’ll be the same for you… But I’ll get a cat. We’ll go camping. I’ll show you every good thing that can come out of this—”
Lifting her hand, her fingers tickle my lips as she stops me. Now that the dam has opened, the words keep coming. I couldn’t keep them inside if I tried hard enough.
“There’s no doubt I’d be fired from my job…” Showing me that same hesitance, she doesn’t pull away. Rather, she pulls her hand away so she can cup my face. “Does Willowbrook Ridge really need a matchmaker?”
With how many poor customers spend their lonely hours at the bar, I’m confident that there are plenty who’d pay for her services.
“Start your own business. Reach out to your old clients to get their recommendations.” Seeping into my business mindset, the thoughts come to a halt when she lets out this delicious laugh that runs straight through me. “It may take a couple of months to get you going, but until it does… I can take care of you.”
“All it took was half a day and a lot of snow, and you’ve already gotten it all figured out, huh?” She’s amused, her smile stretching far enough to make it look like it hurts. There’s a twinkle in her eye that feels less like she’s teasing me and more like she’s truly happy.
“You don’t have the slightest clue…” Muttering the words, I don’t dare confess that I’m already picturing what kind of wedding dress she’ll want to buy when I ask her for her hand. “You don’t have to say yes now. You can think about it. But, I mean it… I’m not meeting another woman like you. Not to be dramatic, but I’m sure I’ll die on this mountain alone if I let you leave this town.”
Knowing it’s going to make me sound crazy by telling the truth, I can’t help but be honest. Funny enough, that honesty is rewarded with a light kiss to my lips. A small peck.
Like the first few kisses, this peck quickly turns into liquid heat as we pick up right where we left off.
This is great. If she stays and does her own thing, she can continue doing what she loves all while being loved. From how long I’ve been waiting for the right person to aim my lovetoward, I can guarantee that I’ll flood her with it until she forgets any loneliness she’s ever experienced.
“But I’ve got to be honest with you…” Pulling back so I can get her pesky sweater off to see what she really looks like, I’m met with more flushed skin. Every part of her really is soft. Sensitive too. Just touching her alone makes her jerk. “If I keep going like this, I’m not going to have the patience to wait for you to make a decision. I’m going to want to keep you here on this mountain for the rest of our days.”
It’s crazy to say something like that, and if Daphne knows what’s good for her, she’ll put a stop to me stroking her sides. May as well show her this of me, because it’s only going to grow worse as our days come.
I’ve never wanted something this badly before. It’s making me act in ways even I don’t understand. May as well find out what we’ll be putting ourselves through from here on out.
She arches against my touch as my fingers brush the band of her bra. It’s nothing special, really. Beige in color, plain in design. But with her breasts right there? It’s the sexiest thing I’ve ever laid my eyes on.
Leaning in, I kiss her chest. Peppering my lips against her collarbones first, I make my way toward her mounds and sigh against her cleavage.
She lets out a breathy laugh. “Tickles.” Instead of telling me to stop, she reaches behind her. “It’s been a long time since I’ve wanted to try again, Gavin. But you… You make me want to try again.”
Then, in a beautiful motion, she unclasps her bra and lets it fall away. Dropping it who knows where, she crosses her arms over her chest like she’s got something to be self-conscious about. By now, she should know that she’s perfect in my eyes, especially when it comes to how my body is responding to her.With as much rubbing as she’s done, my cock alone should be enough proof.
Realizing that she’s the only one this bare, this vulnerable, I shift. Reaching behind me, I balance her on my thighs while tugging off my shirt. At the soft gasp that leaves her lips, my skin prickles. I guess I’m a little self-conscious, too.
When I toss my shirt, I find her drinking me in. With that bottom lip caught between her teeth again, she squirms. Wishing I could read her mind and know what she’s thinking as she stares down at me, we both pause long enough to enjoy our view.
“What is it?”
She finally moves her arms so she can flatten her hands against my chest. Touching me, her flush spreads. “I’ve never seen someone like you before.”
Every inch of skin she touches leaves a fiery path as she explores. For a moment, I’m distracted too. All because she’s got a pair of rosy buds pinched into fine points, beckoning me to get my mouth on them. “That a bad thing?”
“No.” She shakes her head and lets out a shaky sigh. “Not at all.”
All it takes is a few words to knock any doubting thoughts out of my head, leaving plenty of room for more hunger-fueled ones.
“Can I touch you?” As the question comes out raspy, I’m left staring at her chest.
