Page 3 of Pining for Porter (Mountain Men Fall Harder #8)

Porter

I stare out the windshield of my parked truck, trying to make sense of life.

She's leaving.

Of course she's getting out of here. This town isn't enough for a woman like Stella.

For one, she looks like a movie star, with her long, wavy blonde hair and voluptuous body.

Two, she's kind, funny, smart, and talented beyond belief.

Her pies taste like the best memories of my life: family around the bonfire, hugs from my nana, Christmas as a kid.

Each one practically brings me to tears like a baby.

I plant my forehead on the steering wheel, sadness taking over the pure rage and frustration that propelled me out the front door of the diner before I did something I'd regret. Something like throwing Stella over my shoulder and taking her up the mountain with me.

Some weeks, after I've finished my pie and coffee, and have no other excuse to be near her, I sit here and watch her through the large front windows of the diner. She talks and laughs with customers, lighting up the place with her sunshine and smiles.

I am desperately, madly, hopelessly in love with Stella.

The first day I noticed her, I rounded the corner at the hardware shop and planted her flat on her perfect round ass.

I could barely form a sentence, staring down at the most gorgeous woman I'd ever laid eyes on.

I felt terrible, but when I touched her hand, I was a goner.

It was like the clouds parted for the first time and my life lit up.

I took off, with maybe a terse grunt thrown her way, because if I had held her hand a moment longer, I would have put a ring on it.

She's all I think about.

Stella.

My gorgeous cupcake.

I design and build custom wood signs for a living.

Since that day in the hardware store, I've burned through an inch thick of wood on a weekly basis after getting lost in a daydream about what my cupcake might look like naked.

She's all soft hips and thick thighs, curves for days.

I've told myself to stay away, but every Wednesday on my trip to town for supplies, I find myself at the diner, sitting in her section.

I try to will myself to talk to her. To say.

..anything. Instead, I have to listen to Gregor flirt with her every single week, and the rest of the regulars joke like she isn't a goddess walking among mere mortals.

And now she's going to leave before I even take a chance at winning her heart?

"Fuck!" I yell so loudly a squirrel scrambles up the tree next to my truck and chirps down at me from the branch.

If it had an acorn, I'm pretty sure it would throw it at my window.

I don't know if I am madder at myself for not even trying to ask her out, or if it's because baby-face Gregor knows her better than I do.

The thought of his grubby little hands on my cupcake makes me want to punch something. Namely his face.

A flash of blonde hair catches my eye, and I look over to the diner as Stella walks down the steps. I get out of my truck and follow her at a distance, drawn to her like a magnet.

She's wearing her hot pink diner uniform, and she moves quickly in her white sneakers.

I try to blend in with the people on the street, but she stoops down to pet a dog, and I almost walk right into her.

I throw myself back against the brick wall of a store just in time, and tuck into the alcove until she continues on her way.

She finally walks up the front porch of Joy's store and goes inside.

Peeking through the glass windows, I watch Stella head to the back cooler area.

She disappears behind rows of fishing supplies, and I press my nose closer to the glass trying to catch a glimpse.

Joy Munson's face is suddenly pressed on the other side as she waves at me, and I step back startled.

I grab a map to the corn maze set up behind the store, and pretend to be engrossed in figuring out the path.

Smooth, numb nuts, I chide myself. I need to get out of here, but even I know I'm too far in to abort this mission.

When Stella brings four quarts of cream up to the cash register, I walk closer to the front door and wait. The bell on the inside dings as she comes out with her purchases, and I lunge toward her before I can think better of it.

"Stella."

"Holy shit!" she yelps, turning quickly. Her big blue eyes light up, and her cheeks turn a pretty pink as she whispers, "Porter."

I reach for her bags without thinking, and when my fingers brush against hers, the spark of electricity from eight months ago returns, even more intense than before. Like the world is thunking me over the head this time so I don't miss my chance.

"May I carry these for you?" I ask, my heart racing as I try to get my brain and mouth to work in sync again.

Stella nods, but doesn't release her grip on the bags. My large forefinger brushes her soft skin, and she stares at the spot where our hands meet. Her breathing picks up rapidly.

"A-are you coming back for your pie?" she asks, swallowing hard.

"I'd rather have my cupcake," I whisper. I lean down, cupping her face and then capture her mouth with mine. I have no idea what has come over me, but Stella kisses me right back like we've done this before.

As the intensity of the kiss increases, I pull back to look into her eyes and make sure she wants this as much as I do.

The hungry little vixen who stares back at me has me hard as a rock.

She slams her mouth to mine, and we become a tangle of lips and tongues, right in front of one of the busiest shops on Main Street.

I grab the bags, refusing to let Stella go as I push her into the side alley and against the wood siding.

She throws her arms around my neck, plastering her soft breasts to my chest, and I moan as I deepen the kiss.

My hands are on her waist, and I'm itching to go higher, but damn it, my mama raised me right.

"Stella," I say, breathing heavily as she runs her hands over my stomach and chest. "What are you doing tonight?"

She pauses, her eyes bouncing to mine and then back to my mouth. "Why?" she asks, shaking her head in confusion.

"I'd like to buy you dinner," I say. And a ring.

"But…you never talk to me," she says, touching her swollen lips like she thinks she's dreaming.

"Oh, cupcake. If you only knew what I dream of doing to you," I growl near her ear before kissing her neck. She whimpers, leaning her head to the right to give me better access.

"I work until 9pm tonight," she says, biting her lip like that might change my mind.

"Tomorrow, then?"

Stella swallows hard. "I'm free." She looks up at me through dark lashes. Her V-neck shirt reveals the tops of her soft breasts, and I have to swallow hard to focus.

"I'll pick you up at 6pm tomorrow." I kiss her again, softly, tenderly, and then straighten her coat over her uniform as she stares at me in a daze.

When I lean down to pick up the bags again, I brush her hip, and she lets out a little shiver.

My cock hardens painfully against my zipper.

Stella runs her hands through her hair, giving me a shy smile, and some primal instinct takes over as I puff up with male pride at having made a mess of her.

We're quiet as we walk back to the diner, but when we get to the front door, she turns to look at me.

"Do you know where I live?" she asks.

"Yes," I respond, too quickly. I'm obsessed with you , I add silently.

She raises her eyebrows in surprise, but then she levels me with her million-watt smile, and I can't help but grin back at her. As I hand over the bags of cream, I lean forward to place a chaste kiss on her cheek, even though my thoughts are anything but pure.

"See you tomorrow, Stella." I turn and walk back to my truck, trying to adjust myself as discreetly as possible.

I open the driver's door and slide in behind the wheel. The adrenaline from what happened in the alley winds down, and suddenly anxiety is in its place. I take out my phone and shoot off a quick text.

SOS. How do I plan a date?

My two cousins, Danny shrug emoji

Foster

I ignored Cora for months.

I grimace. Apparently, that instinct runs in the family . Although I love both my cousins, I've always considered Foster a grumpy, broody, hulk of a man. I'm coming to realize I am more like him than I care to admit.

Foster

We babysat her friend's daughter on our first date.

I let out a deep breath, looking out my windshield and onto Main Street. I could cook dinner for her at my place, but I don't want to assume she'd be comfortable alone up the mountain with me. Especially after that kiss. I don't want to pressure her into anything.

My eyes land on Ming's Noodles across the street. Close to her place, so we could walk and enjoy the evening.

Dinner it is. ty

Danny

You've got this, bud.

And let me know if you need a witness on short notice. I can be on a plane to Maple Ridge in no time. wink emoji

A little thrill courses through me with the vision of Stella in white at the courthouse. One thing at a time. I've got the restaurant figured out.

Now, I just need to get the girl to fall in love with me.