Page 6 of My Tempting Mountain Man (Summer In The Pines #2)

Liam

I watch Everly closely as she guides us through another yoga pose, her voice calm and soothing, her movements graceful and effortless.

Every stretch and bend reveals her lithe figure, making it nearly impossible for me to focus.

My heart thuds heavily, blood roaring in my ears as my eyes roam her delicate curves, the slender length of her neck, the subtle arch of her back.

Damn it.

I’ve never wanted anyone the way I want her right now.

She’s young, innocent, completely inexperienced—everything I’m not.

I've seen darkness, known pain, lived through mistakes that still haunt me.

Yet here she stands, radiant and trusting, eyes alight with excitement as she demonstrates another pose.

“See?” she says cheerfully, turning her face up toward me with an encouraging smile. “Easy, right?”

“Not even close,” I grunt, attempting to mimic her stance and failing spectacularly. She laughs, the sweet, musical sound dancing around the cabin. It tightens my chest painfully.

“You’re not even trying,” she teases gently, stepping closer to correct my posture. Her soft hands press lightly against my shoulders, guiding me into position. Her touch burns straight through my skin, sending sparks skittering down my spine.

“I’m trying,” I manage to choke out, my voice thick and rough.

She pauses, clearly sensing the tension radiating from me. Her hands still rest lightly on my shoulders, and when I turn my head slightly to look at her, I’m met with wide, questioning eyes filled with warmth and uncertainty.

“Liam?” she whispers softly, fingers tightening slightly against my muscles. Her gaze searches mine, and in that moment, my resolve shatters.

“Everly,” I murmur, voice low and strained, “you have no idea what you’re doing to me.”

Her breath hitches softly, eyes growing wider with anticipation. “Then show me.”

That’s all the encouragement I need. I turn swiftly, pulling her into my arms, my lips capturing hers hungrily, without restraint.

She gasps softly, then melts into me, arms sliding around my neck as her body presses close.

She tastes sweet, addictive, innocent yet fiercely passionate. It drives me wild.

My hands roam her back, pulling her closer still, desperate to feel every inch of her softness against me. Our mouths move urgently, passionately, exploring and claiming. I can’t get enough. I’m drowning in her—her scent, her taste, her warmth.

Breaking the kiss briefly, I brush my lips along her jawline, then down the smooth column of her neck, inhaling deeply her sweet vanilla scent.

“Liam,” she breathes, tilting her head back to grant me better access, fingers tangling in my hair. My heart pounds painfully, desire scorching through me with relentless force. I trail soft, heated kisses back up to her ear.

“You’re killing me, Everly,” I rasp against her skin, voice thick with need. “You’re young, innocent. You deserve?—”

“You,” she interrupts firmly, pulling back just enough to look into my eyes. Her gaze is earnest and unflinching, cheeks flushed with desire. “I deserve exactly you.”

I close my eyes briefly, struggling against the wave of emotions and longing threatening to sweep me under. “You don’t know what you’re asking for.”

“Don’t I?” she counters softly, cupping my face gently in her hands. “I know exactly what I’m asking for. I trust you.”

My chest tightens painfully at her words. Trust. It’s been so long since anyone trusted me, since I allowed myself to be trusted.

I open my eyes, meeting hers with raw intensity. “I won’t hurt you, Everly. I swear.”

“I know,” she whispers, her gaze unwavering and tender. “I trust you.”

Groaning softly, I capture her lips again, kissing her slowly, deeply, pouring every ounce of feeling and restraint into this moment. My hands cup her face, thumbs brushing tenderly over her cheeks as our lips move in perfect harmony.

“I need you something fierce, little girl. How old even are you?”

She blushes slightly. “Nineteen. I’ve actually…” her words fall away as her big eyes search mine.

“Actually what?”

She leans back, like she’s going to get up and walk away, so I tighten my grip on her.

“Tell me,” I demand.

“I’ve never done anything like this before.”

I smirk, relief flooding through me. I’d hope she’s never been stranded with a stranger and slept with him. “This is a first for me too.” I’ve never been the kind of man for random hookups. Lately, I haven’t been with anyone in a long time.

“A first? You’re not a virgin, are you?” she asks the question so damn innocently that it dawns on me. She’s a virgin.

I loosen my grip, instinctively, and she notices.

“Everly, I…” I don’t know what to say. Hell, I’ve never been with a virgin before.

Not even when I was one. “No, I’m not a virgin,” I nearly choke on the words, kind of wishing I was one for her.

“But you are?” I phrase it like a question, but one look into her eyes has me knowing the truth.

“Yes, I am.” Worry crosses her features. “Is that okay?” She starts to back away, and I hold onto her tighter.

“It’s… I just think you deserve somebody…

” I can’t even finish my thoughts because I don’t even know what to say at this point.

My body’s begging me to shut my fucking mouth and claim her right here on the floor.

The other part of me thinks she needs candlelight and a nice dinner, proper sex in a bed, with someone not as deranged as me.

Someone who hasn’t been through what I’ve been through.

She cups my cheeks. “I don’t want anybody else but you.”

I lean closer, capturing her lips with mine. My whole body hardens at the taste of her. Fuck, she’s perfect.

How did I ever get this lucky? I was driving through the storm, checking on the roadways, and bam, there she was. All innocent and sexy curves, and now I don’t think I’ll ever be able to come back from this.

She gazes at me, licking her lips before she whispers, “Just please be gentle with me.”

I want to lie to her, tell her I’ll be as gentle as I can, but that wouldn't be the truth. It’s been a long time, and right now, all I can think about is slamming deep inside her to quiet the beast deep inside me.

“I’ll try my hardest, Everly. Seriously, I will, but you’re too damn perfect and I don’t know how slow I’ll be able to go.

I’m barely able to control myself around you as it is. ”

“You won’t hurt me, though?”

Fuck.

“No, I’d never hurt you.” I lean closer, hoping I haven’t scared her. “Never.” I lift her off the floor, walking her back to my master suite. “I’d never hurt you.” I deposit her on the bed, and I step back, staring at her. Studying her. Memorizing every precious curve. “You’re a dream come true.”

She smiles, her cheeks turning pink. “So are you.”

And I swear hearing her say those words does something to me. Does something I haven’t felt in ages. Something real.