Total pages in book: 23
Estimated words: 20927 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 105(@200wpm)___ 84(@250wpm)___ 70(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 20927 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 105(@200wpm)___ 84(@250wpm)___ 70(@300wpm)
He scowls and for some reason, I find that sexy. Actually, I find everything about Gray sexy. From his dark, bushy beard to his deep brown gaze. He even looks the part of a mountain man in his purple plaid shirt. He’s rolled up the sleeves, revealing thick forearms with plenty of dark hair.
His big, barrel chest has me wanting to throw my arms around him and feel him squeeze me tight. He’s the very definition of burly and for some reason, I can’t breathe as I check him out. I try to remind myself that he’s not one of the heroes from the books I read, but I can’t help finding him hot.
“You didn’t tell me you own the place,” I say, looking around the lobby.
My mom would love the rustic feel to the place. From the wooden floorboards covered in a handmade oval rug to the deer antlers on the wall, it’s quaint and warm. There’s a fireplace and over it, someone has hung dozens of pictures of happy couples. “Who are all these people?”
Gray moves to a desk in the corner. Despite his bulk, he moves with an easy grace, a man that’s comfortable in his skin. “Clients who married here.”
I study the picture of a woman in a white dress holding red daisies. The groom in the blue suit next to her is scowling. “Do a lot of people get married here?”
“We’re a wedding lodge, so yeah. Kind of keeps the lights on.” He doesn’t even look up from the computer. He just continues to punch in buttons.
“Zoey didn’t tell me that,” I mutter. Just like she didn’t tell me there are freaking black bears here. I mean, they’re in the Lake Tahoe area too. But I actually expect them there and also I’m not the kind of person who does the whole hiking thing so I’ve never encountered one. “Who performs all of these weddings? Do you keep a priest in the basement?”
“I perform them.” He’s still fussing with the computer system, his blunt fingers gliding over the keys. I’ve never paid too much attention to a man’s hands before but there’s something I like about his. They’re strong and gentle, capable of cradling his cat close or warding off a bear for a scared woman.
“I don’t see it,” I say, the words slipping out before I can stop them. This grumpy mountain man guides couples into marital bliss every day? It seems like a bit of a tall tale. I study his expression, trying to decide if he’s lying to me.
But there’s no amusement on his face. He picks up a keycard and passes it to me. “It’s a family business. Last door on the third floor.”
He walks me up to my room in silence and I wonder what to say. He seemed friendly earlier but now he’s retreated behind a wall of grumpiness. “Watch for the—”
Too late, my little rolling suitcase bumps against the step and the stupid broken latch lets the contents spill out across the hall floor. Innocent things like my reading tablet and curling iron roll across the hardwood. Not so innocent things like the sexy lingerie I packed and the vibrator I tucked inside also roll across it.
I scurry to pick up as many things as I can, and Gray helps gather the items. He wraps his hand around the bright pink vibrator that surely matches the color of my cheeks right about now.
“Piper,” his voice is rough as he asks the question, “Is there a boyfriend or Mr. Parker in the picture?”
“N-no,” I mutter, wishing the old floorboards would part and swallow me up. I meet an incredibly hot mountain man and the first thing I do is show him my pretty panties and vibrator. This is so not how a moment like this should go.
“Good.” He gently places the expensive device that’s given me hours of pleasure on top of my red thong. “If you ache for something more than silicone between those pretty thighs, you come knocking on my door. I’m right across the hall.”
I swallow, my mouth suddenly dry. This can’t be happening. I have to be daydreaming, thinking about the hero from the book I’m writing.
But the intensity of Gray’s brown gaze keeps me pinned to the spot until I finally manage to respond, “Gluh.”
Which is nervous, horny single woman for: do me now please.
He smiles for the first time since I met him, showing off the cutest dimple I’ve ever seen and zips my suitcase back up. He takes my elbow and helps me to my feet until we’re both standing in front of my door. “Nine o’clock tomorrow morning.”
I blink up at him, wondering if that’s the time he’s decided when we’ll do it. “What?”
Well, at least I managed a word that’s actually in the dictionary. That’s got to be an improvement, right?