Page 7 of Fired Up By the Mountain Man (Fall for a Mountain Man #1)
Erika
There is something comforting about being back in Carter’s truck. The cabin is warm and I like his denim clad thigh close to mine. The way he rests his wrist on the steering wheel. Relaxed. His hand on the gear shift.
It’s strange to feel so comfortable with one of the Kingsley boys.
But Carter is so different from what I expected.
Maybe I had judged him by his name. Knowing who his father is.
Now his older brother is mayor. But Carter is charming and sexy hot.
But also kind. When he looks at me and smiles I feel like my heart goes all wobbly.
Pulling up at the edge of a field. We move to the back of the truck. I watch as Carter unpacks blankets and pillows and plates of food out of a pic-nic basket.
Laying back on the pillows we look up at the stars.
“Are you happy here in Starfall Valley?” I ask.
“I’ve travelled a bit but it only made me realise that this is the best place on earth.”
“Even when everybody knows your family. Expects you to behave a certain way.”
He turns and looks at me. “People can think what they like. I’m still going to live life how I want to live it.
People were surprised when I became a firefighter, but it’s what I love to do.
” He shrugs. “People got used to it and now it’s not a big thing.
My dad was a stern, tough man. But that’s not how I will be as a father. ”
“You think about having kids?”
He nods and smiles. It seems strange to think I could ever live back here, with everybody judging me. But Carter makes it seem so easy to just do what you want without worrying about what people think.
But then who ever thought I would be laying out here with Carter Kingsley, looking up at the stars, talking about life.
“Did you ever bring Missy out here?” The question slips out and I wish I could take it back.
He turns on his side to look at me but I can’t bring myself to look at him. I shouldn’t have asked about Missy. It’s a small town, the dating pool is limited. I’m sure Missy has dated almost everybody but do I really want to know the answer.
“Missy is a Firefighter groupie. A few of the guys have been out with her but she was never my type. I’m looking for someone more…interesting than Missy.”
The way he pauses over the word interesting has me looking directly at him. He is looking at me with a mix of desire and fascination. A look so intoxicating it makes me feel all hot and weak and dizzy.
It’s a kissing moment. It’s the perfect kissing moment. But years of being an outcast has me feeling nervous. I break away from his gaze. Sitting up to search in the basket for a distraction.
“Oh, you have cream pie! I love cream pie.” All the emotions I’m feeling make my voice louder than it needs to be as I fawn about how great pie is for a good minute before handing him a piece.
I am so aware of him physically. I feel awkward.
Like I can’t remember how my hands work or how to have a conversation.
He grins. Amused while I sit here, a jumble of nerves. Watching him eat is sexy as hell. He takes big mouthfuls of pie. Attacks it like he probably attacks everything in life. With passion. He would be an excellent love.
Oh God, what a thought to have. To imagine his mouth on mine.
His hands on my body. He is so big and rough.
So much energy. There is a gentle side to him as well.
Watching him grin at me with a mouthful of pie, a little bit on his chin.
I wonder what it would be like to have him eat me out.
I go hot and damp with the thought of it.
In an effort to calm my racing heart, I turn back to look in the basket. Holding my plate, my elbow makes contact with something and I swing back to see Carter’s plate of cream pie smushed into his face.
With horror I watch as he pulls it away leaving a face full of cream. He lets out a big rumbling laugh. Shaking his head. “You are something else, Erika. But I like it!”
His arm around me, pulling me closer. His lips on mine he kisses me with hunger mixed with laughter.
A hot, sexy kiss that tastes of sweet cream.
My hand on his chest, gripping at his shirt.
His hand in my hair. It is a kiss that curls my toes.
I feel like floating. Wrapped in his arms, his chest against mine.
When he pulls away I am breathless. There is cream everywhere. Over both our faces. Reaching out, Carter swipes a bit off my face and sucks on his fingertip with a grin.
“Damn, you taste good.”
With Carter kissing me, his hands roaming my body, he whispers in my ear how beautiful I am and it sends thrills right through me. We fit together. All nervousness gone. Any feelings of being self conscious or not ready disappear with his hot mouth on mine.
Maybe it was that crazy spell that brought Carter to me. Maybe we are meant to be. Maybe this is just one night. Whatever it is, I don’t want to question it. I just want more. More touching. More kisses. More of Carter.