Page 7 of The Mountain Man’s Unexpected Bride (Mountain Man Sanctuary #5)

Savannah

I wake up and get ready for the day. Brock said he was going to give me a tour of the town at the bottom of the mountain, so I know where to find everything. The problem is, I can't forget that kiss and the meltdown that led to it.

It's true that my life has been hard, but I thought I was handling it well. The thought of going back to being a mistreated slave was too much for me to bear. Then he kissed me, and now all I can think about is how it made me feel.

It awakened things in my body that I'd never felt before.

I was trembling by the time it ended, and I think Brock thought it was because of the episode I had.

It wasn't. It was a response to how my body felt.

My blood practically boiled in response to our entwining tongues, and I felt warmth between my legs.

In the past, I never thought of relationships and sex, but my eyes are being opened right now by the body response caused by this amazing man. I do worry, though, that he kissed me because he felt sorry for me. I don't want his pity.

As we begin driving down the mountain, I am in awe of the beauty of this place.

"Can we have a picnic this afternoon? Out here in the wilderness?"

"That's a great idea. I'll get some things at the grocery store. Do you enjoy nature?"

"I've…never had the opportunity to experience it. It all looks beautiful and peaceful."

Brock gives me a look that I can't quite identify, and I start to feel that familiar pit in my stomach again. I spend the rest of the way thinking about our picnic and my hope that it brings us closer together.

Our first stop is the grocery store, and I get to meet Cassie, who apparently is in charge of keeping our fridge full of goodies.

I'm a little surprised that Brock introduces me as his 'friend' and not his fiancé.

After he introduces me the same way to several more people, I know I have to speak up.

I see a small coffee shop next to the grocery store and point Brock to it. He puts our picnic groceries in the back of the truck, and then we walk over to the shop. It's called Over the Roast and the quirky name enchants me.

It takes me a bit to decide between all the options on the menu, but when the waitress takes our order, I look at Brock and push myself to tell him my feelings.

"Brock. I need to ask you something."

"I'm an open book to you, princess."

"Why are you introducing me as your friend instead of your fiancé?"

I swear he blushes at my question, and I wonder if I've embarrassed him.

"I want to give people time to get to know you before I announce that I'm engaged."

A horrible thought goes through my mind.

"Are you already seeing someone here in town?"

"No. No. Nothing like that. It's just that people here know me and…"

"And you're ashamed of having to have a mail-order bride."

"Um…"

"Why did you get a mail-order bride?"

"That's complicated, and I don't want to get into it here. Let's just enjoy our coffee."

He takes my hand in his and places a warm kiss on it. It takes me off guard, and I let part of my bad mood fade away.

"I guess we should become friends before we get married. It might be better for our relationship."

Not that I know much about relationships. All I've ever read are Cosmo articles when my step sisters got tired of the magazines and threw them out. Once they found out I was doing it, though, they dealt with them in a different way so I wouldn't get distracted from my duties.

Brock doesn't say anything in response to that statement; he just starts sipping his coffee when the waitress brings it to us.

"You know the original Over the Roast is located in the town that neighbors ours. It's called Woodland Falls, and they do amazing things with their Christmas decorations. I'll take you, come December, so you can see it transform into a winter wonderland."

"That sounds like fun. Do you decorate for Christmas?"

"No, but maybe this year we can do it together."

His words make me feel warm all over. Doing things together seems like a dream come true. Yes, it's a recent dream, but a dream nonetheless.

"When my parents were alive, we'd have these amazing Christmases full of presents and joy all around. I treasure those memories."

"I'm sorry about your loss, princess."

"I got to mourn my mother, but as soon as my father passed, I was put to work and was chastised if I was seen crying. I don't think I'll ever be able to thank you enough for getting me out of there."

Brock lifts my chin and pulls me in for a kiss. This one is light and gentle, his warm lips tasting of the coffee he's drinking, but it still makes my body react in unfamiliar ways. My heart beats faster, and there are butterflies in my stomach.

He pulls away too quickly for my liking and leans back in his seat. I pout slightly, then realize that I no longer have to merely react – I can actually initiate things. And that's exactly what I do. I want to experience more of what his touch makes me feel.

I put my hand on his neck and pull him to me. The kiss I give him is not light and gentle, but passionate and needy. When we pull back, Brock is smiling at me, and I have the decency to blush at my reckless behavior.

"We should go home and get that basket ready for our picnic." He says.

I smile back and let him lead the way. Back home – I like saying that – we work in silent companionship as we fill the basket with goodies. I wasn't completely honest when I said I hadn't been out in nature. It's just that the memories hurt too much.

Papa would take us on picnics when I was little, and I would dance and play outdoors. I think that's why I like Hunter's Peak so much. They should be happy memories, but instead, they are a reminder of what I lost.

"Hey, why are you so sad all of a sudden?"

"Just remembering my parents."

He puts his hands on my shoulders, and I look up at him.

"They are so proud of you right now. You survived a terrible situation and now you're free."

"I am free, aren't I?"

"Yes, you are, princess."

Brock takes me to his favorite spot in the mountains, and we chat while sharing wine, cheese, and some fruit. He seems to enjoy feeding me, so I let him. Every one of his touches does something to my body, and I'm a little embarrassed by how much I want him.

Desire is something I'd never thought I'd get to experience, and now I want to revel in it. I love how my body responds to him, and I begin to wish he weren't such a gentleman.

I find myself with my head on his lap as he tells me stories of his work as a field doctor for the search and rescue group here on the mountain. I'm in awe not only by how much he loves his work, but also by how it lights him up when he speaks about it.

The decision is made in my mind without me even realizing I’ve made it.

"Brock, kiss me."

He seems taken aback by my words, but I encourage him by squeezing his hand and letting him see the desire in my eyes. I make a second decision and get up, sitting on his lap and putting my arms around his neck.

"I've never felt the things your kisses make me feel before. I want to experience more of those sensations."

"You don't know what you're asking, princess."

"Maybe not, but I'm starting to trust you, Brock."

He puts his forehead against mine and I swear he lets out a growl. His hot breath sears my skin, and for a moment, I wish we were naked in each other's arms. I’m mad for getting ahead of myself and decide to enjoy this wonderful moment.

After the longest time, he finally touches his lips to mine, and there's a zap of electricity the moment it happens. We both seem startled by it, but it doesn't stop us from delving deep into each other's mouths. Our tongues frolic together, and I can feel him harden beneath me.

Heat travels through my body, and the most vulnerable part pulsates in response to this passionate exchange. I hear noises around me, and after a moment, I realize it's me, whimpering, at his expert kissing.

I am pretty much breathless when he pulls away. His breathing also seems to be affected, and I feel a little proud of myself that our kiss did that to him.

"We should stop, Savannah."

"I want you, Brock."

"I want you too, princess, but I'm not making love to you for the first time out in the wilderness. Besides, you're a virgin."

"How did you know?"

"It's a feeling I had, and I want to make things special for you."

"Just being in your arms makes me feel special, Brock."

"You are an amazing woman, Savannah, and you deserve to be treated like the princess you are."

I put my hand on his face, feeling his soft beard against my palm, and I swear if this were a cartoon, I'd have hearts in my eyes. This man is so amazingly sweet and caring, and I wonder what I did to deserve him.

We spend the rest of the picnic chatting, but I don't leave my spot on his lap, and I'm sad when I no longer feel him hard against me.

All these feelings and sensations are overwhelming, and I worry that I might be too inexperienced to handle them. One thing is certain, though. I have a safe haven now and all the time in the world to find myself. All thanks to Brock Masters.