Chapter 8
CHAPTER 8
O pal is dealing with everything and everyone up here better than I could have imagined. It’s not too surprising, given how she shares a commitment to helping people, but it’s reassuring. This would be a lot for most people to take in over a short period of time. Knowing that Opal understands and respects my commitment to these people is deeply important to me.
Even though she’s sitting next to me at the dinner table, she gets skittish every time we make eye contact.
“How you doing over there?” I ask quietly, reaching out and touching her arm.
Opal glances at my hand on her arm, but she doesn’t flinch. Lifting her eyes to mine, she smiles.
“It’s a lot to take in. This isn’t what I expected when you said you needed to help someone on the mountain.”
“What did you think I meant?” I ask, genuinely curious .
“I’m not sure.” She pauses. “But not this. How come you don’t talk about it?”
I lean back in my chair and look at Opal. Being with her feels natural. I like that I don’t have to hide any part of who I am. Talking about myself and my motivations to others isn’t something I do—or want to do—but I want Opal to see me. My feelings for her are growing, but I need to know she’s on board with all this and who I am. I don’t want her to be a part of my life; I need her to be a part of my life.
“I don’t feel the need to make a big deal about it. Besides, part of why the network works is because we keep quiet about it. As you can imagine, some people are violently opposed to us interfering with their plans. The safety of these women is at serious risk if word gets out about what we do.”
“Sure.” Opal nods. “But you could get more people to help.”
“Well, I have you now.” My voice is low, but the way her blue eyes flare slightly, I know she heard and picked up on what I mean. “I don’t do this for awards or to impress other people. I do it because it’s the right thing to do. There’s a way for me to help, so I do. That’s it.”
“It’s more than that, and you know it, Champ. You’re helping to save these women’s lives.” Opal’s eyes have a fierce intensity as she looks at me.
“Yes. And now that Shelly is part of the gym, it’s a little more personal. She wasn’t trafficked, but she was abused just the same. I have no tolerance for people, especially men, who prey on other people.”
“I appreciate that you trust me, Champ. Though I will say that I wasn’t sure how things would work out after what happened at the chili cook-off. I was sure you were going to fire me, and that would be the end of everything.”
I lean toward Opal because she needs to know how serious I am. “I don’t want you to leave, Opal. I don’t want you to leave, ever. Stay with me.” My voice is heavy with longing. If Opal still has any doubts that I believe in her and want her around, I need to eliminate them.
A bright happiness lights up Opal’s eyes, and she blushes prettily. “So you’re okay with everything? Okay with who my brother is?”
“Opal, I’m never going to like your brother. But with you at the gym and in my life, I swear I’ll try to be civil to the man. You’re important to me.”
Opal’s blush deepens, and I shift in my chair as my cock tightens and pulsates with desire.
“You’re important to me, too,” she says, her voice quiet.
I take her hand, lightly stroking her wrist with my thumb. “I like having you around. I want to continue that.”
“Yes,” she says immediately, putting her hand over mine. “I’d love that. I should add that I still want to work for Warrior Cares, but I know that’s unlikely to happen until I graduate.”
“There’s still time between now and then,” I say. “Maybe I’ll convince you to stay at the gym.”
Opal’s voice is teasing as she smiles at me. “Oh, really?”
“Yes, really,” I say, my voice low. Seeing Opal playful makes my body surge with need for her. She has curves I want to mold against my body, whether I’m making love to her or we’re curled up watching TV at the end of the day. Her body is fucking gorgeous. “Why don’t we head up to the cabin? I’ll grab a bottle of whiskey, and we can sit on the porch.”
“I’m all yours.”
The sun sets over the mountains, painting the sky in oranges and pinks. I grab two glasses and head out to the cabin porch, where Opal is curled up in a chair with a blanket over her lap. Sitting beside Opal, I pour two fingers of whiskey into each glass and hand one to her.
She takes a sip, and I see the appreciation in her eyes as the whiskey slides down her throat.
“This is good,” she says appreciatively.
I nod. “I'm glad you like it.”
Opal smiles at me, her blue eyes shining in the fading light. I take a deep breath and enjoy the peaceful moment. She looks so beautiful. We sip our drinks in silence, the sun ebbing away and the stars emerging in the night sky.
Opal turns to me, and our eyes meet. I can tell that she wants to say something, but she hesitates.
“What is it?” I ask, my voice low and gentle.
She takes a deep breath and then meets my gaze. “I have a confession to make.”
Anticipation builds inside me as I wait for her to continue.
“I… I have a crush on you,” she finally blurts out. Her skin is flushed from the whiskey, but I know she’s not drunk .
My heart pounds in my chest, and desire courses through my body. I suspected she felt this way but hearing her confirm it makes all the difference in the world.
I reach out and take her hand in mine. “I have a confession to make, too,” I whisper, my voice filled with desire. “I’ve noticed. I’m attracted to you, too.”
Opal's eyes widen with surprise before filling with a warm, happy light. “That’s not what I thought you’d say.” She smiles, taking another sip of her whiskey.
“Why not?” I ask, curious.
“Because you always stay away from me when you see me at the gym.”
“Opal,” I say, looking into her eyes. “It’s not because I don’t like you—it’s because I’ve wanted you so damn much, but there are little things like laws about making a pass at your bookkeeper—no matter how sexy they look in a dress.”
“You don’t know how happy that makes me, Champ. I wasn’t sure you noticed me in those dresses.” Opal’s bright eyes meet mine, and I know what happens between us tonight will change everything.
I have no hesitation when it comes to Opal. We have a long way to go to know each other better, but I know we will, as much as I know my heart is right for wanting her. I welcome our future with open arms.
“A blind man would appreciate you in those dresses, Opal. I think we should have a toast,” I say, raising my glass. The sun is almost gone now, but the fire in my heart burns brighter.
“To what?” she asks, her blue eyes searching mine.
“To us,” I say. “To what could be. ”
“I’ll drink to that.” Opal’s smile punches me in the heart with how happy it makes me. We both take long sips from our glasses, our eyes never breaking as we drink.
“Opal,” I murmur, my voice quiet as the light fades and the sounds of the forest surround us. “Will you let me kiss you?”
For a moment, her eyes search mine, then her face breaks into a beautiful smile, and she nods.
My heart soars with joy as I stand and pull her to me, pressing my lips gently against hers. We share a tender kiss. Her heart beats wildly against my chest, racing just as fast as my heart.
The kiss deepens as our tongues move faster, building our passion. Her body presses hard against mine, showing me that she feels the same desire that I do.
My hands slip around her waist, and I pull her tighter, relishing the sensation of her moaning into our kiss. I love that she’s sharing herself with me like this. We finally break the kiss, and the hunger in her eyes is naked and bright. Her soft lips linger on mine, the heat of her skin radiating through my body. Electricity runs between us.
“I want to make love to you tonight,” I whisper, my voice low and urgent.
I slowly move my hands up her arms, and she trembles as I stroke her skin. There’s no denying the fire of our desire tonight.
Opal reaches up, runs her hand along my jaw, then pulls my head to hers and kisses me again. “Then take me, Champ.”