Page 10 of Mountain Daddy (Mountain Men #2)

Kendra

I wasn’t sure it was possible for Luther’s eyes to get any more heated. But they do. And I have to look away.

I pick up my burger.

Luther picks up his.

And together, we sit side by side and eat our dinner.

Baseball is on the TV behind the bar. It’s some West Coast game in extra innings. And the perfect distraction.

Luther’s shoulder bumps against mine.

My elbow brushes his.

Luther takes a drink out of my beer.

I take it from his hand and press the opening of the bottle to my lips.

He watches me drink.

Luther orders us two more waters.

I order two more shots.

My tongue lingers as I lick the salt off the glass.

Luther’s jaw clenches as he watches me.

And I push my plate away.

The guy from the kitchen shows up and sets down two peppermints before taking our empty dishes.

Luther shakes his head.

I tear one of the little wrappers open and place the mint in my mouth.

Luther does the same.

I turn to face the man beside me. The music is still loud, so I lean in, placing a hand on his thigh. “I’ll be right back.”

Keeping my hand braced on him, I notice how solid he feels as I slide off my stool.

I focus my eyes on the ground, watching where I’m walking, as I circle the bar and exit through the door I came in.

I feel more keyed up than I’ve ever been, but in reality, we weren’t making a scene. Yes, the shared limes and closeness were flirty, but it’s not like we were making out. So, I don’t know why I feel so watched.

The fresh air washes over me as I step outside, and I fill my lungs with it.

I have to pee, and since my room is like twenty feet away, I decided going there was the better option.

Silently, I cross the strip of pavement between the bar and the motel.

I can’t believe I’m doing this.

I repeat that line to myself over and over while I enter my room.

Like the bar and food, my room is nicer than I expected.

It’s just a single room. But the bedding is white and fluffy, and the king mattress is comfy.

When I first checked in, I flopped onto the bed and was tempted to just stay there.

I’m glad I didn’t.

After reapplying deodorant, spritzing some perfume, and smoothing down my outfit, I pocket one key card and palm the spare.

My heart is vibrating inside my ribcage while I walk back across the little alley to the bar. But I don’t stop.

I don’t stop at the door.

I don’t stop until I’m behind the stool I’d been sitting in.

Luther watches me the whole way, and now that I’m close, he turns in his seat.

I swallow.

I embrace the bold.

And I set my extra room key on his thigh.

Luther’s eyes drop to it.

Then slowly, so slowly, he lifts them back up to meet mine.

“Room two.” My voice is low. Quiet. A little shaky.

But my body is on fire.

I want this man so damn bad.

I’ve never been like this. Never this reckless. Never, ever so forward.

I take a step back.

Then another.

It’s up to him now.

I turn.

I’m a little unsteady.

A little buzzed.

But I know what I’m doing.

I know what I need.

And what I need is a night of escape before the next phase of my life begins.

I need a night with Luther.