Page 16 of Single Mom’s Mountain Men (Mountain Men Reverse Harem #1)

I agree, even just the scent of it is mouthwatering. And I have noticed that I've been eating more than usual, but I haven't gained any weight. Probably because most of that just goes into extra energy I’ve been spending in the shed, so I'm pretty sure it all gets worked off.

Patty smiles at Wes but then ducks his gaze shyly turning back to her pan. Wes for his part, stares at her for a few seconds too long, before realizing and catching himself in the act. He then looks away, laughing uncomfortably and running his hands through his hair.

Observing my brother’s body language is something I’ve been good at since he was younger.

Because I watch him a lot, I always know right when he’s on the verge of a tantrum, when he’s hungry, and when he’s up to no good.

As we grew up I was mostly responsible for keeping him out of trouble, so I had to be able to read what he was thinking, just to keep him safe from himself.

But that’s not what I’m sensing here.

There’s a carefulness with which he moves around her to start positioning the plates, an awareness that wasn’t there before. And the way she looks at him out of the corner of her eye as he lays down the cutlery beside the plates around the table .

Something’s happened between them in the past few days.

The sound of heavy footsteps comes from the hall and Mitch walks in.

“Hi Uncle Mitch,” Katie greets my older brother shyly and he ruffles her hair fondly on the way to his seat.

I help Patty and Wes set the table, still watching them out of the corner of my eye. They interact normally with Mitch and chatter with the kids, but that tension is undeniable.

After we sit and say grace, I still watch them.

I'm temporarily distracted by movement at my knee, glancing down to find Maddie standing there.

Without a second thought, I pick her up and drag her into my lap, shifting her plate closer to me.

It's becoming the norm now for Maddie to insist that I feed her.

She plays with her toy and swings her feet as I scoop some mashed potatoes from her plate to her lips.

Patty catches my eye and smiles warmly. The first time Maddie tried to climb into my lap, Patty tried to dissuade her, until I told her it was okay.

I don't mind kids at all. Actually, I quite like them.

I doubt I'll have any of my own though, given my tragic dating record thus far, but I can always look forward to being an uncle.

Finally, after dinner's over, Patty takes the girls back to their room, and my brothers and I clear the dishes, despite Patty's insistence on doing them herself. Once that's done, we retire to our rooms.

But rather than go to my room, I follow Wes into his, closing the door behind us.

“What did you do to Patty?” I ask.

The question catches him off guard and he spins around to stare at me. “What?”

“You and Patty. Something happened, didn’t it? "

He sputters and then crosses his hand over his chest. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“You're lying." His first reaction was honest when his eyes flickered with guilt and some self-satisfaction.

"You touched her, didn't you?" A hollow feeling churns inside me. I try to tell myself it's not jealousy.

"That's none of your business."

“Did you harass her?” I ask.

"Of course not you ass," he snaps. "I would never do that."

I nod. I know that, but I just had to make sure.

"Be careful with her," I say, forcing the words through a bitter throat. "I think she's been hurt before. If you're not serious about her... she's not the type to be played around with."

Wes bristles for a second and then his shoulders sag, his expression losing some of its defensiveness.

"I know," he sighs. "That's why I already decided not to pursue anything further with her."

I nod, some of my tension easing too. "That's probably a good choice."

I don't necessarily blame Wes for what he did. I understand what a strong temptation Patty represents. A soft, feminine lady with those freckles and those curves. And that kind, sunny spirit. It would be hard not to go crazy over her.

But I think we should stay away from her, for her own good. For ours too, perhaps.

However, my resolve is sorely tested when she shows up at my door the next day.

I know the little delicate knock can't be either of my brother's. Mitch's knock is one loud rap, and Wes doesn't knock at all, he just strides right on in like he owns the place. So, this gentle, hesitant tap can only be Patty .

Despite this, I still say, "Come in."

She opens the door a little bit and pokes her head through. "Hey. Sorry, I don't want to disturb you, but I made some gingerbread cookies and wondered if you wanted some."

I nod. "Sure." Pattie discovered my sweet tooth pretty early and every once in a while, she offers to bake something just for me. It always makes me feel special.

She comes in with a plate of fresh-smelling and warm from the oven, gingery treats and places it on my table. She glances at my screen. "Watching people fix up cars on YouTube?"

She's standing too close. I try not to look at her or even inhale her delicate scent when I answer. "Yeah. It's an engine replacement tutorial. I like to watch stuff like this in my free time."

"Oh. Neat." She straightens and rubs her palms on her denim mid-length skirt. "You ever thought about working at a garage? Or maybe starting one?”

I shrug. “Sometimes. But when would I have time for that?”

“Fair point. I just thought… you seem to enjoy working on cars more than working in the forest.”

I do, but Mitch needs help in the forest. And I have a feeling that this conversation we’re having is simply about her stalling.

She proves it with her next sentence. “Um… so there is also something else I wanted to talk to you about."

I nod. "Go ahead."

"Mitch offered me a job here as a housekeeper. And I wanted to know how you felt about me taking it."

"How I felt?"

"Yeah. I mean I know this was supposed to be temporary, but I could use the work. Still, if you want me to leave, I can."

I look at her like she’s crazy. "Why would I want that?"

She shrugs. "I don't know. I just get the feeling that maybe I make you a little uncomfortable."

Shit. She caught on to my weirdness. Even worse, I made her feel bad enough that she thinks I want her to leave. "You don't make me uncomfortable," I say. At least not in the way you think.

"Are you sure? Because lately, I feel like you're avoiding me."

I swallow hard, trying to find words that I don't have. "I'm not."

She doesn't look convinced. "Yes, you are Charlie. And I think I know why. Look it's fine, I'll just tell Mitch I can't take the job. I don't want to overstay my welcome and cause problems for you."

She's walking to the door as she speaks and I grab her wrist, getting to my feet and tugging her back.

But I miscalculated. Because the pull has too much force, she ends up spinning into a crash against my chest.

"Oh," she says, bracing her hands on my thundering heartbeat. "Sorry about that." A flush spreads across her cheeks, and her eyes meet mine.

And suddenly I can't resist anymore.

I capture her lips with mine, tasting her once and for all.

Fuck.

She tastes divine.

A little sweet and spicy, with hints of something sharp I can't put my finger on. I grow addicted to the taste, kissing her deeper, despite the warnings ringing in my mind.

I wrap my hands around the back of her neck, trying not to kiss too hard and devour her in one go. But after a moment of shock, she's the one devouring me.

She throws herself into the kiss, her arms around my neck as she consumes my mouth like a starving woman.

She moans as she sucks my lips, and her tongue meets mine unashamedly.

Desire swiftly overtakes any sense I have, and before I know it, I'm losing my mind, dragging her to the bed so we can make out more comfortably.

Damn.

I'm on top of her, filling my palm with her soft mounds, finding her engorged nipple under my thumb. She moans when I rub them, and moves restlessly underneath me, pressing her thighs together.

That subtle move reminds me…

There's one thing I need to do before this is over and sense returns.

I pull back, staring into her dusky eyes. She tries to follow me but I wrap my hand around her neck keeping her in place.

"Stay there." I say, watching her as I lower myself down.

There's no going back now.

I'll die if I don't taste her tonight.