Chapter 5 - Taron
Taron
“Wow,” I say, my eyes fixed on the sight ahead of me.
I can’t believe I’m actually here, watching this.
Kaleb moves like he owns the forest… like every tree, every branch, every speck of sawdust is under his command.
The chainsaw roars back to life in his hands, and he attacks the next limb with precision, muscles flexing under his thermal t-shirt. Sweat glistens on his neck, and the way his broad shoulders roll with each cut… it’s mesmerizing.
The fact that last night I indulged in not one but two very naughty orgasms with Kaleb at front and center of my mind only adds to the thrill of seeing him like this now. It’s hot as hell, there’s no denying that.
I’m perched on a fallen log he pointed me to, well outside what he called the “crush zone” or something like that.
The dog is sitting next to me now, his big black head tilted as he watches his owner work.
Racer Kaleb said is name was. I like him.
Racer gave me a suspicious sniff at first, but now he’s just chilling, like we’re old pals. And I can’t deny it, he’s kinda cute.
My notebook’s open on my lap, pen flying across the page.
This whole scene sparked something—a story idea bubbling up from nowhere. A rugged hero in the woods, battling nature, but with a soft spot for… someone. A boy who stumbles into his world, maybe.
It’s vague, but exciting.
After all, this is how all the best ideas come to me.
I jot down details: the sharp scent of pine sap, the vibration of the saw through the air, the way wood chips arc like golden rain.
But honestly? Half my notes are about him.
The way his biceps strain against the fabric. The focused furrow between his brows. That low grunt he makes when a branch drops just right. Kaleb is all power and control, handling this massive tree like it’s a misbehaving puppy.
I sigh, leaning back against a tree trunk. There’s no way a man like that would ever look twice at me. Not really. He’s carved from stone—hard lines, rippling strength.
And me? Soft. Curvy. The kind of body that jiggles when I walk too fast or laugh too hard.
I’ve heard it all before…
“You’d be Grade A if you just dropped a few pounds.”
“Curves are cute, but Alpha men like me prefer something… firmer.”
Even Pace, that sleazeball, was always on about it. “Dude, lose ten… hell, fifteen… and you’ll book those photoshoots no problem. Image is everything in this biz.”
Like my writing wasn’t enough. Apparently I had to starve myself to “improve” too.
Whatever.
I bite my lip, staring at Kaleb’s back. He’d probably say the same. Or worse, not say anything at all—just look away.
The saw quiets suddenly. Kaleb steps back, wiping his forehead with the back of his glove. He’s stripped most of the branches now. The tree looks naked, vulnerable. He glances my way—first time since he let me stay—and shouts over the quiet hum of the forest.
“Tree’s set! Stay put. Gonna fall that way.” He points to a cleared path downhill, away from us.
My heart jumps. “Okay!”
Kaleb doesn’t smile, just nods and turns back. He sinks the saw into the base—careful notches, then a deep back cut. Wood groans like an old door. He wedges something in, taps it with a maul. The tree shudders.
Then… CRAAAAAAAACK.
It leans, slow at first, like it’s deciding. Then faster. The trunk splits the air with a whoosh, branches whipping, and it crashes down in a thunder of earth and needles. Dust billows up, birds scatter screeching.
I’m on my feet without thinking, mouth open. “Whoa! That’s so cool!”
Kaleb stands there, hands on hips, watching it settle. Command. Control. My big strong fantasy Daddy owned that moment.
Inspiring doesn’t even cover it.
The cleanup takes longer than I expected. Kaleb sections the trunk into manageable logs, stacking them with this effortless strength that makes my stomach flutter. Racer helps by… well, mostly by chasing squirrels and barking at nothing.
I stay out of the way, scribbling more notes, but my eyes keep drifting back to him.
Finally, Kaleb kills the saw for good, packs his gear, and walks over. Sweat darkens his t-shirt in patches, and up close, he smells like wood and effort. It’s earthy, intoxicating, and kinda nice in a funny way.
“Done,” he says, voice gruff. “You get what you needed?”
I nod quickly, stuffing my notebook into my backpack. “Yeah, tons. Thank you. That was… amazing.”
Kaleb grunts, eyes flicking to my bag as I zip it. Something orange peeks out—Lightening’s ear. I shove it down, but too late. Kaleb’s brow arches.
“That a fox?”
Heat floods my face. “Um… yeah. Lightening. He’s my… stuffie.” God, why did I say that? He’s gonna think I’m a weirdo. A grown man carrying a stuffed animal on a hike?
But Kaleb just nods, no judgment. Maybe a hint of something softer in his eyes.
“Nice,” Kaleb says. “We don’t get many foxes around here. But I’m a fan.”
I blush harder, slinging the bag over my shoulder. “Cool. Thanks again. I’ll head back.”
He glances at the sky—sun’s climbing, but the trail’s long. “Want a lift into town? Truck’s not far. Which of course you’d know seeing as you probably walked past it, along with all the signs, right?”
My pulse skips. “Hehe. Really? That’d be great.”
Kaleb jerks his head. “This way.”
We hike a short path to where his truck’s parked—a beat-up blue pickup with mud splatters and a toolbox in the bed. Racer jumps into the back like it’s routine. Kaleb opens the passenger door for me, then offers a hand up the high step.
His palm’s rough, warm, engulfing mine. A tingle shoots up my arm, straight to my core. I haul myself in, hoping he doesn’t notice how my breath catches.
“Thanks,” I murmur, buckling up.
He nods, circles to the driver’s side, and fires up the engine. It rumbles to life, and he cranks the radio. Classic rock blasting, guitars wailing. It’s not my usual go to listen, but in this context I’m all there for it.
Racer barks from the back, tail thumping against the cab window like he’s singing along. Kaleb chuckles—a low, rare sound that makes my toes curl.
The track’s rough, potholes and roots jostling us as we bounce toward the main road. At first, it’s fun, laughing when Racer yips at a particularly loud chorus, wind whipping through the cracked windows.
But then… the vibrations.
Boy oh boy.
The seat hums under me, steady and insistent over every bump. It buzzes right through my jeans, teasing places that are already too aware of the man next to me. His arm brushes mine shifting gears, and oh God, it’s too much.
I feel my cheeks redden as my cock throbs with this unexpected but irresistible stimulation. It’s like I’m sitting on a butt plug or something. Don’t get me wrong, it’s incredibly pleasurable. But not for right now!
Hold it together.
Not here. Not now.
Please.
I cross my legs, take a deep breath.
I focus on the trees blurring by. Not on the heat building, the ache starting to pulse harder and faster. My dick feels like it might just start flashing through my briefs and jeans to alert Kaleb and the whole world how sensitive and aroused it is. This isn’t good.
“You okay?” Kaleb asks, glancing over.
“Yep! Fine! Totally cool!” I splutter, definitely not keeping cool under pressure and feeling my balls tighten by the second.
But Kaleb simply grunts, turns up the radio.
Another rut, another jolt. I bite my lip, willing the town to appear. If this keeps up, I’m gonna… no.
Deep breaths.
Deeeeep breaths.
Think about boring things. Taxes. Laundry. Umm….
But my mind wanders back to last night—my hand on my rock-hard dick, imagining him. And now he’s right here, real and solid.
Please, road… smooth the hell out.
We hit pavement finally, vibrations easing to a hum. I exhale, unclenching.
The town appears— with its quaint buildings, a few cars, people going about their business. Kaleb pulls up near the B&B.
“Thanks for the ride,” I say, hopping out before Kaleb can help.
He nods. “Listen,” Kaleb says, his voice firm. “In future, stay out of drop zones. Or else.”
I laugh, wave, and watch him drive off.
Finally, I can let my heartrate settle and my special place calm the hell down.
I need to stop running into Kaleb like this. But something tells me that in a small town that’s going to be harder than I think…