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“There’s still time,” I say, flashing him a playful grin.
He laughs.
I start unstrapping him and setting him free while I try to ignore the deep ache moving from my belly to between my legs. It only gets more intense as I kneel in front of him, my face in line with his… you know…
“So,” he says as I stand back up, cheeks flushed, nipples tightening under my shirt from being so close to this beautiful masculine specimen. “Did you think about my offer? Can I take you out for dinner?”
I step back and look at him skeptically. Yes, he’s hot and cute and funny and fun and all, but I know his type. These out-of-towners always come in, love-bomb you while they’re on vacation, and then head back home without a second thought. In the worst cases, they head back home to a girlfriend, or a wife.
“Where do you live, Dane?” I ask. A vacation fling would be fun, but I can tell he’s the kind of guy I’d fall for. At the end of the week, I’ll be wanting to make it official, meanwhile, he’ll be packing up his car and ready to leave me in the rearview mirror.
“I live here,” he says, “in the Greene Mountains.”
I raise my eyebrow skeptically as I look him over. “I haven’t seen you in town before.”
I’d definitely remember that.
“It’s only been a few weeks,” he says, “but I’m here to stay.”
I try to play it calm and cool, but my mouth betrays me, curling up into a wide smile.
“Is that a yes?”
“Okay,” I say, smiling as I nod. “I’d love to have dinner with you.”
He can’t hide his happiness. “That’s the best news I’ve ever heard.”
We look at each other for a long heated moment, and then I turn away with my heart pounding.
“Come inside,” I say as I head to the tiny lodge. “Let’s check out your photo.”
“So, are you into all of the adventure sports?” he asks as we walk over. “What made you open a bungee jump?”
I shrug. “I don’t know, I just had a vision that I couldn’t shake. You gotta admit this bridge is perfect for it.”
“It is,” he says as he looks back. “It’s a great spot. Have you ever thought of selling?”
My heart slows to a stop. My stomach sinks.
Oh fuck. It’s him. How did I not piece that together?
My body tenses with anger as I slowly turn to him. “Dane Keaton. Is that your name?”
He tilts his head to the side, grinning. “How did you know?”
“I didn’t,” I say, gritting my teeth. He filled out the form on our app and I didn’t notice his name. “If I knew who you were I wouldn’t have tied the cord.”
His smile fades. “What?”
“You’re the one buying up the town from us locals?” I say, my tone full of venom. “You people have been here five minutes. What gives you the right to own my town?”
“Your town?” he says, his warm gaze disappearing. It’s all challenging and full of judgment now. “I didn’t realize I was talking to the empress of the Greene Mountains. What makes it yours?”
“I was born here,” I say, stepping toward him as I narrow my eyes on his stupid face. “I was raised here. This is my home. You have been here for five minutes and you’re trying to take it all.”
“I’ve been coming to the Greene Mountains every summer since I was a kid.”
“Congratulations!” I say, throwing my arms in the air. “You had ice cream and took pictures of the mountains. That doesn’t mean you belong here. It doesn’t make you one of us. And it certainly doesn’t give you dibs on the town!”
