Page 41 of Maple Kissed by the Mountain Man

“I’m still angry with you,” she warned even as she smiled.

“I know.”

“You have a lot of work to do.”

“I’ve got all winter.”

“You don’t get to shove me away the second things get intense.”

“I won’t.”

“You might want to think before you agree that fast.”

“I haven’t slept since you started yipping at my heels like a Yorkshire puppy,” I told her, my hand sliding up her spine, burying deep into the thick, soft curls at the nape of her neck. “I’m done thinking.”

“A yipping puppy? That’s how you think of me?” She smiled as she said it.

“Yes. Very cute. Very determined to get what it wants.”

“Just so you remember that about me, we’ll do just fine.”

“Yes, we will.” I lowered my head.

“Are you going to kiss me, Burke? Right here, in front of everyone?” she whispered just as my mouth met hers.

“Yes.”

I lowered my head and brought my mouth down on hers. Her mouth opened and I cupped the nape of her neck, threading my fingers through her thick gorgeous strands. I pressed her body tight against mine, my arm wrapping around her waist like an iron band, lifting her right off her feet until she was anchored to me.

Someone near the entrance whistled loudly. Now the old ladies gasped.

I didn’t give a single fuck about any of them.

Maggie sank into the kiss, her nails digging into the heavy fabric at the back of my neck, her body melting into mine until there wasn’t a breath of air left between us. She tasted like sweet coffee and fire, and I drank her in until my head spun.

When I finally pulled back, my chest was heaving, my breath coming in rough, ragged gasps.

Maggie’s lips were swollen, dark, and wet. Her eyes were heavy-lidded and dazed.

“Take me home, Ford,” she whispered, her eyes filled with desire.

I looked toward the double glass doors of the town hall.

“What about the funnel cake? I was kind of looking forward to it.”

She laughed. “I guarantee what I have in mind will be more fun.”

“I just bet you do.”

And before she could say anything else, I bent down and picked her up in my arms.

She giggled as I walked through the crowd.

Epilouge

Maggie

Three Months Later…