Page 9 of Mountain Reclaiming

Chapter Seven

Ashlynn

Tonight has been surreal to say the least. High school me is freaking out that I’m on a date with Cash at the Coyote Creek Bar and Grill. Not only that, but unless the world implodes in the next ten minutes, I’m going to be having sex with the boy I crushed on back then. One who is now a man I still can’t quite believe is looking at me like he’d rather be devouring me instead of the burger in his hands.

A wave of chills rolls over me from the undeniable lust in his eyes. No other man has ever been close to making me feel like he is right now, and he’s doing so from only a look. My entire body is alight with awareness.

It’s a completely new feeling. I’m not a virgin, but I haven’t had much sexual experience. At thirty-three, I’ve only had sex with three men, none of whom could begin to compare with Cash.

What happened with them was woefully disappointing. Nothing at all like what I’ve read about in romance novels. I had assumed it was all made up, but the throbbing of my core has me eager to find out if they were right all along.

I shove what’s left of my dinner away, no longer hungry for food, and gulp down the rest of my margarita.

Cash polishes off his meal and rises from his chair. I love that he sat next to me, like he couldn’t stand the table separating us.

“Gonna pay the bill. Be right back.”

I can’t help but watch his sure strides as he crosses the bar to the wooden counter running along the length of the building. He pulls out his wallet and hands his card to the burly bartender, Linc, whom he introduced me to earlier.

As soon as the card is handed back, he spins and hustles toward me. He’s practically jogging, and I press my lips together, biting down on them to keep from grinning at his eagerness.

He helps me up and hands me my crutches. I hobble out as he hovers beside me. My belly swoops when he scoops me up and sets me on the passenger seat, same as he did when he picked me up. My thighs clench as he rounds the hood from the blatant display of strength.

Once he pulls out onto the road, he reaches for my hand. His thumb caresses my knuckles on the short five-minute drive to his place. I couldn’t tell you much about it with the fading light, but mostly due to the fact I’m completely distracted by Cash.

He helps me down and into the house, guiding me to his bedroom. I pause inside the door of the room that screams a single male lives here. The bed is a mattress on a bedframe covered in a navy comforter. There’s a second-hand dresser and one nightstand.

That’s the extent of it. I will say everything is neat and tidy, but I suspect he probably spent some time cleaning, knowing there was a good chance we’d end up here.

“Everything okay?” he asks hesitantly, brows furrowed. “If you’ve changed your mind, we can watch a movie. I just want to spend more time with you.”

My gaze swings to his. “Why? Have you changed your mind?”

“Hell no, but I want to make sure you know you’re in control here. I know we’re just getting to know each other again, and this is fast. The Ashlynn I used to know tended to overthink things. I’m guessing that hasn’t changed much.”

His concern for me has my not only my stomach fluttering, but my core too. My hands tighten on the grips of my crutches. “I can’t say I’m not nervous, and that younger me isn’t freaking out about standing in your bedroom. There’s definitely overthinking going on as well, but I do know I’d never forgive myself for letting this opportunity pass me by. It’s not every day we get to live out our fantasies.”

A wide grin breaks across his face. “Fantasies, huh? You have fantasies about me, Ash?”

My face heats at what I accidentally confessed. I look down at my feet, embarrassment washing over me. “Maybe.”

His hand slips beneath my chin, raising it so my eyes meet his. The intensity I find there has my body heating for an entirely different reason

He shakes his head. “There’s nothing to be embarrassed about, darlin’. That’s fucking hot.”

His lips brush mine, and I forget all about being embarrassed. In fact, I forget about everything but Cash. His musky scent is more intoxicating than the margaritas I consumed a short while ago.

A whimper of disappointment falls from me when he breaks the kiss before it gets out of hand. Even as brief as it was, we’re both breathing heavier.

“Not to worry, darlin’, just want to get you off your leg before I lose all control.”

He helps me hobble to the bed before taking my crutches and laying them down. He slips my dress over my head and tosses his shirt and pants on the floor with it. I’m so distracted by all the glorious muscle revealed for my viewing pleasure that I don’t think about being naked in front of Cash.

My fingers reach out of their own accord to drag down his chest. The coarse hair sprinkled liberally tickles the tips. The sign of virility has my core fluttering.

Cash’s hands do their own exploring, gliding over my skin, leaving trails of tingles which have my nipples pebbling into tight peaks. His touch lights up my body.

His mouth captures mine. This time the kiss is deep and all-consuming. A clash of teeth and tangle of tongues. I boldly suck on his, and his groan sends shock waves of delight rushing through me.