Page 2 of Mountain Man’s Mail Order Treat (Wildwood Valley Brides #3)

WHITLEY

I was in heaven. Pure heaven.

When Jareth first mentioned it, I thought pimento cheese on a burger sounded disgusting. But he was right. It brought something to the burger that regular cheese couldn’t.

As I swallowed, I opened my eyes and looked at the man seated across from me. Then I tilted my head as I took in his expression. Nobody had ever looked at me like that before. If I had to compare it to anything, it would probably be the way I would look at that burger before I took my second bite.

“This burger was definitely worth the wait,” I said, answering a question he didn’t ask.

God, he was gorgeous. I hadn’t expected that.

Sure, I’d seen pictures, but they didn’t do him justice.

They didn’t capture the thick arms and broad shoulders.

And his eyes…they were just piercing. I couldn’t tell if they were blue, green, gray, or hazel.

All I knew was they seemed to see right into my soul.

Yeah, I could definitely imagine kissing this guy. And doing more.

We were sharing a bed tonight. And I was beyond ready to lose my virginity. That was on my to-do list—an item I hadn’t even mentioned to him.

Of course, he didn’t know I was a virgin. If he did, he might not have wanted to marry me.

“Good,” he said. “So this flea market…”

“Farmers market,” I said. “Right here in town. Bobbi said she’s going to set me up early. Prime spot. In front of the pancake house.”

His mouth opened, but not to shove more of his cheesesteak between his lips. He was just staring at me, all his movements having frozen.

“There’s a farmers market in front of the pancake house? That’s a new one on me.”

I frowned at him. “I just assumed it’s every Saturday morning or something. Although I guess a town this small might just have it once a month. Maybe even once a quarter.”

Something about the way he was looking at me didn’t sit well. He had no idea what I was talking about.

“I’ve lived here two years,” he said. “Not long, but I’ve never seen, nor heard of, a farmers market. Or any other kind of market.”

I shrugged and looked out the window. The parking lot was mostly empty. Just a couple of pickups in addition to Jareth’s. He’d parked right near the window so he could keep an eye on my stuff, but I had a feeling that wasn’t really something we had to worry about in this tiny town.

“Well, I’ll help you get set up,” he said. “What time do you have to be there?”

“She said she’d have my table set up at eight, but I could feel free to show up whenever I wanted and stay as long as I was getting sales.”

None of this sounded right, the more I thought about it. It was a little too flexible. Plus, she’d phrased it that she was setting up a table for me, not that the market vendors were supposed to show up at a specific time, which had been my experience with farmers markets back home.

“I was so excited, I didn’t really get details,” I said more to myself than him.

“Couldn’t wait to meet me, huh?”

There it was again, that teasing smile. That was when I realized I’d been treating him like an afterthought when really, he’d been on my mind nonstop since we started talking.

But every time I started daydreaming about a future where we had kids, a dog, and a white picket fence, I pulled myself back. I couldn’t risk getting my heart stomped on again.

Nope. This time, I would remain in control of the situation. I had big dreams, and no man was going to get me all caught up in him again, only to dump me the second some super-skinny hottie got her razor-sharp, perfectly manicured fingernails into him.

“Yes,” I said. “I couldn’t wait to meet you. And to get to know you.” I picked up my burger. “Catch me up on everything I’ve missed since we talked last.”

He took a bite as he dragged a fry through his ketchup. “I got up bright and early and went to work. We’re clearing away a bunch of limbs that fell near Bearclaw Pike. That kept my mind occupied until it was time to come pick you up.”

“You needed your mind occupied?” I asked. “You were excited?”

I wanted to know he was excited about it without giving away the fact that I’d barely slept for the past week. That was how excited I’d been to finally meet him. But I couldn’t let myself be vulnerable again. I couldn’t take that risk.

“Of course,” he said. “What about you? How was your day? I know you spent some of it traveling.”

I laughed. “I spent all of it traveling, actually. I’m one of those people who get to the airport four hours early. I was able to get a bunch of work done, so it’s all good.”

As I spoke, I tried not to stare at him, but I couldn’t help it.

He had big hands. Big everything. Still, his hands stood out to me.

I couldn’t help but remember a conversation I’d overheard about a guy’s hands matching the size of his…

more hidden part. Or maybe it was his feet.

I’d have to take a look at those once he stood.

I was suddenly picturing him naked. His erection, thick and hard as steel. I’d seen naked men before, but only online and in movies, never in person. Suddenly, I wanted nothing more than to get Jareth out of his clothes.

I shifted in my seat, trying to clear the image from my head, but it only got worse. Or better, depending on how you looked at it.

His lips were wrapped around the end of a french fry, and I couldn’t stop staring at his mouth. Full and masculine with lips that were a little chapped. I bet they’d be rough against mine. I bet they’d?—

“I need you to help me with something,” I blurted.

He paused mid-chew, eyebrows lifting slightly as he reached for his napkin. “Okay. What kind of something?”

I hesitated. My pulse was racing, and my fingers curled around the edge of my tray like it was a lifeline. This wasn’t how I planned to bring it up. Actually, I hadn’t planned to bring it up at all.

I cleared my throat. “It’s kind of a big thing. Personal.”

He leaned in a little, giving me his full attention. “Whitley, you can ask me anything.”

I swallowed hard, my mouth suddenly dry. “Okay. So I came here for a fresh start. A new life, right? I told myself I was going to go after the things I wanted and stop waiting for permission.”

His brow furrowed slightly, but he nodded, encouraging me to go on.

“Well,” I said, voice barely above a whisper. “There’s something I’ve never done. Something I’ve been waiting to do with the right person. But life’s short, and I’m tired of waiting.”

His expression softened. He still didn’t get it.

“I’m a virgin,” I said.

Now he really froze. He didn’t even blink.

“And I don’t want to be one anymore.” I bit my lip, heart thudding like a bass drum. “So, if you’re willing, I want it to be with you. Tonight.”