Page 40 of Maple Kissed by the Mountain Man

“You would have found a way through my gate.”

“I was planning on it.”

“I know.”

“I had bolt cutters in my trunk.”

“I would have expected nothing less from you.” A genuine, ringing laugh burst from my lips, making two elderly women nearby turn and stare. I didn’t give a damn.

I held out my hand between us, palm up.

Maggie looked down at my rough, calloused palm, then back up into my eyes. “What happens if I take it?”

“I buy you that ridiculous funnel cake.”

“You don’t trust funnel cake.”

“I trust you.”

“That isn’t what I meant, Burke.”

“I know.” I took one step closer, closing the last remaining inch of space between us. “If you take my hand, we start over. I take you to dinner.”

“And then?”

“Then I take you home.”

“To my apartment?”

“To our maple grove if that’s where you want to go. I go where you go.”

“And tomorrow?” she asked, her voice dipping into a sultry, breathless whisper.

“Breakfast.”

“You cook?”

“I have a few talents you haven’t seen yet.”

“I’ve seen a couple of them,” she murmured, her eyes dropping down my chest to my waist. “They were pretty impressive.”

“Little minx,” I murmured even as my cock hardened.

Maggie didn’t miss my body’s telling response. A grin settled over those lips.

“And after breakfast?” she asked softly.

“Whatever you want, Bennett. I’m yours.”

“That is a very dangerous offer to make a city girl, mountain man.”

“I’m counting on it.”

Slowly, deliberately, Maggie lifted her small hand and set it directly in mine.

The relief hit me hard. My fingers snapped shut around hers, pulling her hand up and yanking her forward.

Maggie planted her free palm flat against my chest, feeling the frantic, wild hammering of my heart.