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Okay, so I can stop panicking about Branum not showing up and start freaking out about the fact that I have a date with a smoking-hot mountain man.
I open the front door, and there he is, wearing a black button-up, dark jeans that cling to his tree-trunk-sized thighs, and slightly scuffed western boots. He's clutching something wrapped in brown paper and smiling…almost a little bashfully.
"Wow, PJ. You look incredible."
Do not question the man. Do not sayreally.
"Thanks."
Yay me.
He eyes me up and down. I wasn't sure what to wear so I went for my favorite pair of khakis and a simple white button-up. Judging by the smile growing on his lips, I think I made the right decision.
"Here. This is for you."
I take the package from him. "You got me a gift?"
"It's no big deal."
"Can I open it?"
"Of course. Please do."
I unwrap it carefully since I have no idea what it could be and smile when I see the book cover.
Hiking Trails in and around Thickehead.
"This is really thoughtful. Thank you so much."
"It's nothing. Just don't want you trespassing on anyone else's property."
"When was I trespassing?"
"When you saw me by the river you were actually on my land."
I clutch my chest. "Oh my god, I was?"
Branum grins. "You were. And I'm very glad you were, don't get me wrong, but I don't want you getting lost in the forest, that's all."
I start to smile, then get hit by a sensation that throws me off-balance. Mentally, that is. The excitement leading up to this date, Branum actually showing up, the unexpected kindness of his gift, the fact I was trespassing on his land without realizing it… It all grows in my head and becomes too much.
"You okay, PJ?"
"Yeah. I'm fine."
Branum takes a step closer and lowers his gaze. "Are you sure?"
I nod. I don't want to tell him what's going on with me, hoping that it'll pass quickly, so I stick with something safe. "I didn't realize I was on your property. Guess I'm in shock. I'm so sorry."
"No need to apologize. If you hadn't accidentally come onto my land, who knows if we'd have met."
"That's…true."
Then my mind revisits Branum stripping, diving into the water, floating on his back, touching himself…
And yep, I'm officially dizzy.
I waver on my feet, but before I have the chance to completely humiliate myself by doing something like keeling over, Branum's hands are on me and he's leading me inside the house, guiding me toward the couch.
