Chapter Four
Two weeks into my stay in the mountains, Sam suggested a picnic in the woods. Together, we packed a hearty lunch and set off along the private nature trail that ran behind his cabin. When we reached a narrow path that branched off from the trail, he took my hand and led me to an area encircled by a ring of stones, shaded beneath a grove of evergreens. It looked like the perfect spot for a gathering of elves. Then again, I had fantasy novels on the brain. An indie author had just hired me to design the covers for her new series—a trilogy of romantic fantasy epics—and I was having a delightful time delving into that world.
I spread out a picnic blanket and set up our feast: pasta salad, hummus with carrot sticks, strawberries, and caramel brownies. Sam’s contribution was a loaf of homemade sourdough bread and a bottle of sparkling wine. Though Farley would have loved the hike, I’d left him behind so I wouldn’t have to worry about him wandering off or trying to steal our food.
For me, few things were more blissful than eating a delicious meal outdoors. Toss in a ruggedly handsome woodsman, and this was my idea of The Good Place.
I still couldn’t get over my luck in meeting Sam. In the two weeks I’d been here in the Sierras, he’d done wonders with the cabin. After finishing most of the repairs, he’d helped me strip off the wallpaper and paint the walls in the front room. Most nights, I made us dinner, but he’d also invited me to his place, so I could check out his studio. Seeing his pieces up close was considerably humbling. But he’d responded with equal enthusiasm when I’d shown him the mock-ups for my picture books.
And yet.
For as much time as we spent together, he had yet to take things further. At the end of each night, he’d head back to his cabin without hinting that he wanted more from me.
Was his behavior frustrating? Yes, but there was also something enticing about it. About the smoldering glances that he occasionally tossed my way, the teasing banter we shared while playing cards, and the longing building up inside of me, waiting for that moment when he’d whisk me off to bed.
But I wasn’t sure when it would be.
When we were done with our picnic, I packed the leftovers into the basket. Sam shook out the blanket and spread it out again. After taking off his hiking boots, he lay down and gestured for me to join him. I followed suit, ditching my sneakers and lying beside him. Staring into his deep brown eyes, a spark of desire flared through me. Though I ached to feel his lips on mine, I wanted him to make the first move.
Leaning in closer, he cupped my cheek with his large, calloused hand. My heart rate kicked up a notch. “Sam?”
“Remember that offer you made, the first time I had dinner at your place?”
Remember it? I’d been thinking about it constantly. Still, I couldn’t resist teasing him. “Which offer was that? The one where you promised to fix my roof?”
He smirked. “You know which offer I’m talking about.”
“Oh, wait. Was this about painting the bedroom?”
“It was more about putting the bedroom to good use.”
Hearing him utter those words in that low, growly voice of his sent shivers dancing along my spine. “Then what are we waiting for? Let’s head back there.” I tried to sit up, but he placed his arm around my waist and held me tight.
“Hang on, Maggie. We don’t need an actual bedroom. This blanket will do just fine.”
Oh. “You want to have sex here? Out in the open?”
He chuckled, the laughter rumbling low in his belly. “I can’t think of a better place.”
“Did you bring a condom?”
“I did. If you’d rather wait for a bed, I understand. But…”
But we were alone in the wilderness, and the idea of making love outside was a huge turn-on. Except for the part where I’d be fully exposed. “I’ve… um… never done it in broad daylight.”
“Oh, Maggie.” He gave an affectionate sigh. “You’re such a beautiful woman. No need to hide it.”
Why was I hesitating? He’d seen me at my sweatiest, streaked with paint after a hard day’s work, and he still wanted me. That counted for a lot.
I gave him a teasing grin. “Okay. Took you long enough to accept my offer.”
He laughed. “It’s only been two weeks.”
“Two intense weeks. We’ve seen each other every day.”
“Trust me, it was difficult to hold back, but I wanted to make sure that…” He paused as if trying to come up with the right words. “This might sound presumptuous, but I wanted to make sure these mountains meant something to you. The last time I assumed that about someone, I got badly burned.”
His ex.
“I can’t make any promises yet, but I really want to stay,” I said. “I’ve never been happier than up here in the mountains.”
“Then that’s good enough for me,” he murmured.
At first, he kissed me softly, as though testing the waters. Feeling bolder, I deepened the kiss, tasting strawberries and chocolate on his tongue. For a long time, we lay like that, just kissing. His hand on my hip, my fingers tangling in his hair, our mouths hungry and eager. Birds trilled in the trees above us, and a gentle breeze blew through the grove.
Eager to feel his bare skin against mine, I took off my tank top and flung it to the side. When he pulled his shirt over his head, I brushed my lips against his burly chest and inhaled his scent—a delicious mix of wood shavings, sweat, and cedar soap. I nuzzled his neck, then kissed the sensitive spot behind his ear. With a groan, he threaded his fingers through my hair, tugging on it with just enough force to send a bolt of heat coursing through me.
Piece by piece, we shed our clothes until he was naked, and I was clad in nothing but an embarrassingly damp pair of panties. When I ground against him, he let out another of those delicious growls. “On your back, Maggie.”
So it was going to be like that, was it? I was completely on board. “As you wish.”
“Good girl. Are you okay with letting me take control?”
“Absolutely.” As I looked up at him, I couldn’t help but grin. “When I first met you, I thought you sounded like a bear.”
He laughed. “A bear?”
“Or maybe a bear shifter. It’s a human who turns into a bear. Sort of like a werewolf, but…” Words failed me as he lowered his head and ran his tongue along my nipples. Teasing me with little nips and licks, then sucking on them harder. I moaned in abandon, not caring if I scared the birds and squirrels away. By now, my entire body was throbbing with need.
“Sam,” I begged. “I want you inside me.”
“Be patient. We’re nowhere near that point yet.”
His lips traced a path down my body, igniting every inch of my skin. When he reached my panties, I lifted my hips so he could ease them off. And then his head was between my legs, his tongue exploring as his thick beard brushed the inside of my thighs. If there was a heaven, it couldn’t beat lying on a blanket under the trees, as my sexy woodsman pushed me to the edge again and again, until I was pleading for him to let me come. When I finally reached orgasm, it hit me in a dizzying rush of sensation. But he didn’t stop until I’d come again, and I was panting, begging for him to take me already.
“Please, Sam. I can’t wait any longer.”
“Since you asked so nicely, how can I refuse?” He found his jeans and grabbed a condom from the pocket. Once he’d sheathed himself, I guided him inside me and let out a rush of air. Not only had I gone for a year without sex, but I’d never been with anyone of his size.
“You okay?” he asked.
“Yes,” I gasped. “You’re just… um… bigger than I expected.”
His eyes gleamed with amusement. “That’s what happens when you fuck a bear. I promise I’ll be gentle.”
Even if I’d only known him for two weeks, I trusted him completely. As he moved inside me, my body opened up for him. I clasped my arms around his shoulders and closed my eyes, but he growled at me. “Look at me, Maggie. I want to see your face when you come.”
I’d never felt this exposed, but I did as he said. Every thrust brought me deeper pleasure until I hit my peak again, and I was crying out his name, my voice ringing through the trees. I dug my nails into his back, wrapped my legs around him, and urged him on until he shuddered and gave out a lusty groan.
And when he held me in his arms afterward, I was sure I’d found my forever home.