Page 8 of Moonlight With Maddox (Mountain Men Fall Harder #6)

L eni

“Thank you for agreeing to take me to the festival,” I say as Maddox walks me up the porch steps. “I know that Aunt Connie can be pushy—”

“I had a really good time,” he cuts in.

I pause on the top step and turn toward him. He’s standing a step below me, but he’s still taller than me. I love the way he can make me feel daintier than any other man I’ve ever been with.

He’s holding my camera bag in one hand, and I reach for it, but he doesn’t make any move to give it back to me.

“Are you sure about that?” I tease, as I brush the remaining powdered sugar off his chest. “You didn’t seem thrilled with the funnel cake after the hayride.”

He rests his hand over mine, and I can feel the steady thrum of his heart.

“Maybe not, but I liked watching you enjoy it.”

My heart does a ridiculous flip in my chest, and I feel warmth in my lower belly.

“I hope you got all the shots you wanted,” he says, as he rests the strap of my camera bag on my shoulder, sending a wave of goosebumps down my arm from where he touched me.

“Almost,” I say, trying to steady my voice “The only thing missing is a good wide shot of the whole town.”

He leans against the railing, thoughtful. “You should try Lookout Point. Best view in the county—especially at sunset.”

“That would be perfect.” I can already picture the valley bathed in golden light.

“I could take you,” he offers, but then clears his throat. “If you’re interested.”

My teenage self screams in my head, but I manage to keep my voice somewhat steady. “That would be great.”

“After my shift tomorrow, I can come pick you up.”

“Tomorrow it is.”

For a moment we just stand there, the quiet of the leaves blowing in the trees is the only sound. Maddox is the first to move, shifting closer, and I catch the faint woodsy scent on his skin. His gaze drops to my mouth and then back up to mine, almost as if he’s making sure I won’t bolt.

I don’t.

He dips his head, slow and sure. This time, nothing interrupts us. The feel of his lips brushing against mine is warm and deliberate. Every cell in my body tingles with electricity. I melt into him, opening to allow him to deepen the kiss.

I get lost in how long we stand there but I know it’s not long enough before he pulls back. He rests his forehead against mine.

“Goodnight, Leni.”

“Goodnight,” I whisper back.