Page 13 of Summer Camp with the Mountain Man

He knows I wasn’t paying attention. I can see it in his lust-filled eyes. Or is that just extra splashing over from mine?

“Have you given any thought to teaching here in Cedar Spring?”

Oh thank god he repeated it, my answer was going to be way off. I should have known he wasn’t asking me if I’ve ever experimented with Nutella in the bedroom.

“I haven’t. It seems messy but I’d be willing to experiment. I mean, that’s not…” Shit! How did I answer the wrong question? And why am I winking at him? Teaching in Cedar Spring is what he asked, not the whole Nutella thing. Is it too late to salvage it? “Teaching kids when I know all their parents could get messy. If I can save the camp I might expand into other areas my parents never did. Make it more than just a summer business. Cade, do you think your cousin will actually pay me if this whole ruse works?”

Why is a part of me hoping he says no? I need the money to save the campground but my lady parts want this charade to be over so they can get better acquainted with the man I would have sworn was a myth had I not met him. He really is a dragon, I know because he lit my clit on fire, sending the villagers running for cover. That analogy fell apart at some point but I’m too turned on to rectify it.

“George is the least reliable person I’ve ever met. But, he’s also the worst with money, hence the trust fund stipulations. I’ve seen him pay up on bets he didn’t remember making just to feed his need to throw money around. As untrustworthy as he is, don’t worry, he’ll pay you.”

“In that case, no more babysitting the little hellions for me. Eight years was enough. When I first started, seeing children always brought a genuine smile to my face. Now, I wince like I’m about to poop a horned melon. I thought teaching was for me, and maybe it would have been once upon a time, but it’s really just me trying to monitor their screen time. I’d rather be here, making my own decisions instead of upholding someone else’s. I just heard the words and boy do I sound selfish.”

“Not at all.” He sighs like he’s breathing in the sunrise, giving my hand a reassuring squeeze. “The family thought I was selfish for not building run of the mill decks anymore, like we’d been doing for two generations. It’s not that I wasn’t good at it, I was just better at something else. So we pivoted a little, I didn’t think it was a big deal but you’d assume it was the end of the world based on their response. Rayne, I’m sure you were a fantastic teacher, but I also know you’ll be an even better… Campologist? Campground overlord? Is there a name for your kind?”

Cade’s stamp of approval causes my smile to swallow my face whole, I’ve essentially become a neck with lips. “We accept either, but there should be an evil cackle involved if you use the overlord option, as if you’re going to boil the campers in a stew. Which isn’t recommended, not good for repeat business. Thank you for saying that, I was feeling guilty about leaving teaching, especially after all the loans I had to take out just to pay for my degree. Only to turn around and fall back into the family business I didn’t need to go to college for. Should the fact that my parents were right make me want to dry heave?”

“Ya know, I met one half of your parental unit, not entirely sure she’s going to remember that conversation ever taking place. Sometimes you just need to branch out on your own, see what the world has to offer. You’re one of a kind, Rayne, and I’d never want to see you doing anything that dulled your shine.”

He stops walking as we make our way down the dirt road between campsites, taking both my hands in his.

“I’m sure you were a bright spot for all the kids in your class, but I don’t doubt for a second that running this campground will make you sparkle like never before.”

“The way your eyes do every time you look at me?”

“Is it that obvious?” he whispers in a raspy tone that makes my panties feel like I just took them for a dip in the lake.

“More wishful thinking on my part, but I’m okay with wishes coming true. So I’m really not imagining it?”

“Spending the entire night not kissing you is the hardest thing I’ve ever done, and I worked with your fake fiancé five days a week for over a decade.”

“What if I told you you’re trying too hard?”

“Rayne,” he groans, shrinking at least four inches when his knees tremble against mine. “What are you doing to me? I can’t risk my family seeing and you not getting the money to save this place.”

“Their sites are all on the other side of the campground.”

I didn’t mean to moan it in such a throaty tone but it’s got him shrinking even more, until his mouth is level with mine.

“I’ve never felt like this about anyone, and it’s got me thinking one kiss might be worth losing the campground for.”

His forehead presses against mine, putting his lips so close it’d be harder not to let mine saunter even closer until fireworks burst prematurely between us. Not as in he’s going to burst prematurely, though there’s a strong possibility I might, but the fireworks. The Fourth isn’t for a couple days. But that eruptive display has nothing on what’s about to happen right now.

“Dude! What the hell are you doing to my fiancée?”

SEVEN

Cade

The human hemorrhoid strikes again.

How does he always manage to pop up at the most inconvenient time? What’s he even doing awake this early? I couldn’t get him on the job site before the clock struck double digits but suddenly he’s up with the sun?

“If you’re about to kiss my fiancée, I am so kicking your ass.”

He marches towards us, hands balled into fists, not because he thinks his engagement is in any way real, but because it’s me about to lock lips with the woman who’s supposed to be his. In his skewed view of the world, I take everything from him.

“Hold me back, Kelly, before I do something to my cousin I’m gonna regret.” He stops walking when Rayne doesn’t put herself between us to break up the fight. “I swear to god, Kell, I’m gonna hurt him.”