Total pages in book: 25
Estimated words: 23604 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 118(@200wpm)___ 94(@250wpm)___ 79(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 23604 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 118(@200wpm)___ 94(@250wpm)___ 79(@300wpm)
“What can I get you?” Her quiet voice hits me like a sledgehammer, and I want to fall to my knees and promise her the world.
“Everything.” The single word comes out of my mouth before I can stop it, and I have to clear my throat. That’s when I blink and look down at my hands, trying to get myself under control. What the actual fuck is happening to me right now? I feel possessed. “I mean, everything on this list.”
I pass the piece of paper over the counter between us, and she looks down at it. “Let me see if we’ve got all of this.” This time when I look up at her she’s smiling at me, and I swear my knees feel weak.
“I can do that.” Normally I come in and grab what I need, but Connor called down and placed an order yesterday. It should mostly be together behind the counter, but I’ll take any excuse to stay longer. “I haven’t seen you around here before, have I?” I know the answer to that question because there’s no way on this earth I’d forget her. My eyes move a little lower, and although she’s covered in a thick sweater, I can tell her curves are ample.
“I’ve been here for a little while but only work the shop for my gran when she’s out.” She shrugs a little and gives me one of those million-dollar smiles again. There’s that cinder again, burning me up inside. “I’m Bri, by the way.”
“I’m Wilder.” I hold out my hand, and she pulls hers out of her pocket to shake it. It’s warm and so fucking soft I want to rub it against my face.
“Can I get your sausage?” Her voice is breathy as she says it, and I can’t help my smile.
“Excuse me?”
Bri’s face immediately turns to shock, and she jerks her hand out of mine. “I’ll grab your sausage.” I have to press my lips together to keep from laughing as she bumbles over her words. “I mean I’ll get you some sausage because it’s on your list and that’s what you came for,” she says carefully without making eye contact as she comes around from behind the counter.
“That’d be great, thank you.” I want to tease her because I love how cute she looks when she’s embarrassed, but I decide to give her a break.
“Are you visiting for the winter or making Bear Mountain your new home?” I ask, trying not to be hopeful that it’s the latter.
When she walks in front of me, I shamelessly stare at her ass and try to suppress a moan. She’s got what my grandma used to call “child-bearing hips,” but seeing Bri’s ass right now, I’m thinking they’re more like handlebars.
“This is home now.” She shrugs, and when I glance up, I see a sad look cross her eyes for only a quick moment before it’s gone. “I love it up here.”
“It takes someone special to stay up here year-round. Most people leave after the first big drop of snow.” We walk down to the refrigerator section, and she grabs a basket. I immediately take it from her, and she smiles.
“Thanks,” she says as she points to all the options in the cooler I already know by heart. “So far it’s wonderful, and the people in town have been really welcoming.”
“That’s good to hear. Maybe I could show—” Just as I’m about to ask to show her around town, she reaches up and tucks her hair behind her ear. When she does, the movement causes light to reflect off the ring she’s wearing. The giant diamond wedding ring. I close my mouth quickly and look away from her. “You know what, I think my cousin called this order in. It should be behind the counter.” I clear my throat and take a step away from Bri.
As beautiful as she is, as much as I want her, I won’t go after a married woman. Not now, not ever. That cinder that was in my chest is still burning, but now I resent it. Why would this happen if it wasn’t meant to be? My dad told me when I saw the one, I’d know right away. I would take one look at the woman that was going to be my bride, and the world would stop. That’s what I thought happened today, but fate is a cruel bitch. I’ve met the woman that I’m supposed to marry, but she’s already taken.
“Oh, um, okay yeah, let me check.” She turns away, and this time I don’t look at her ass.
Instead, I walk to the counter and lay my cash down as she finds the order.
“Thompson?” she asks, and I nod, still not looking at her.
When she tells me the amount, I pass the cash and take the bags. “Keep the change,” I say and force myself to back up.