Chapter Two
Sam
What the fuck did I get myself into?
When this was some random stranger online, the whole thing seemed harmless, maybe even a little fun. A weekend with a pretty girl, and I’d get paid enough to buy two new generators for the cabin.
Merry Christmas to me.
In the flesh, this whole situation is much different. First off, she’s way younger than I thought she was. Second, she’s cute as fuck in this nerdy little kitten sweater and light up earrings. Third, I’m clearly hornier than I thought I was.
“So, what should I know about you before we head out there today?”
She glances at me. “Oh, yeah… well, I guess you should know what I do for a living. I’m a schoolteacher. Third grade.”
“The kitten sweater makes sense now.”
Her cheeks turn red and she looks away, tugging on the knit fabric. “Oh, yeah. It’s… something.”
“No, I like it. Really. You look cute.” I think women hate being called cute. I remember that after I’ve said it. “Teaching is a difficult job. You like it?”
“Yeah,” she glances back toward me, knotting her small hands together as she talks, “love it. I get to be around kids all day. We do a lot of reading. They like all the voices I make for the different characters. Is the tree farm a year-round thing, or…”
“Yeah, we breed reindeer and horses all year, and we’ve got seasonal produce. Peaches in the spring, berries come summer, apples in the fall, and, of course, pine trees all winter long.” I clear my throat as I transition our conversation by saying, “I’ve been meaning to ask, how’d you find me? I wanted to ask you over the phone, but the few conversations we had always led to altitude concerns.”
She smiles and brushes her dark hair back away from her face. I can’t figure out why she’d need to pay a man for attention. She’s beautiful. Big brown eyes, bright smile, silky hair, thick curves. The girl’s got it all.
“Yeah, I was worried about the altitude, okay? And… my parents heard this was the best place to watch the eclipse, so they decided to celebrate Christmas here too. They’re renting a cabin in the area. I was tasked with finding somewhere to cut down the tree and your place popped up.”
“And how did you get to the part where you were hiring me for love?”
She narrows her brows playfully and relaxes her shoulders. Humor. Humor loosens her up. I need to make a note of that for later.
“I’m not hiring you for love. It’s just for show, and I don’t know why anymore, to be honest. I went overboard on the eggnog one night, sent the email, and the rest is history. I really can’t believe I’m even here. I mean, everyone is going to see right through this.”
“Why is it so important they see you with someone?” I pull into the steakhouse and park beneath the flashing neon lights. The Springs is a medium-sized city about an hour from Rugged Mountain and the number of cars buzzing around here proves it. I’m all for a good group of friends, but I’m not for the city life.
“My sister got married last year, and she’s currently seven months pregnant. Get where this is going?”
I nod and step from the truck, rounding to open the door for her. “So, you’re the one falling behind? They give you a hard time about it?”
“More than a hard time.” She wraps her coat around her curved frame tightly as a cold wind whips across the parking lot. “My mother is brutal. She’s compared my sister and I our entire lives. I think it’s the twin thing. No matter what, Jessa is always doing something better than me. Math class, dance class, dating, cooking, fashion, makeup, you name it, she’s better at it than I am.”
“Well, that can’t be true. You’re… I mean,” I scan her cute little frame up and down slowly, wanting her to know that I genuinely like what I see, “look at you.”
She glances down at herself, then draws her gaze toward me. “Trust me, you haven’t met Jessa yet. She’s perfect and my mom loves it. Not to mention that I think there’s a part of my mom that gets off on seeing her daughters stressed. Like if we’re at odds with each other, she gets to be the one in between who gets everyone’s attention.”
“Why would she do that?” I open the door and hold two fingers up for the hostess. It’s Christmas Eve, and the place is nearly empty. I imagine most folks are with their families right now. Truthfully, it’s where I should be. The guys are putting the last bit of work into the eclipse party and I’m up here gallivanting around the Springs with a woman I only just met… for cash none the less.
Jen glares at me. “She lives vicariously through Jessa. Every accomplishment or compliment my sister gets makes my mom feel like she’s getting them, too. But when it comes to me, she has to distance herself. She can’t tie herself to the family loser.”
“You’re not a loser,” I say, following the silver-haired hostess toward a small table in the back near a cozy little fireplace with a Christmas tree stood lit nearby. I wonder if it’s one of ours. “You’re accomplished. You care for kids. That’s huge. I mean, what does your sister do?”
She sighs hard enough that I feel the heat from her breath from across the table. “She’s a model. Bathing suits, underwear… she’s like perfect. Long blonde hair, tight little body, skin like an Indonesian pearl. I don’t know. It’s so weird seeing a perfect version of myself every single day. It’s like the world is screaming at me, reminding me… ‘ Hey, Jen. This is what you could be if you cared about life and took care of yourself.’ It’s depressing, ya know?”
I nod and bite back a smile. “Do you want to model?”
Her brows narrow as the waiter steps toward the table and fills our glasses with water, offering us a wine menu.
“We have a Christmas Eve selection of Prosecco and White Merlot. Also, today we’re offering our filet mignon with roasted rosemary potatoes and a street corn succotash. Can I interest you in any of these specials?”
“I’ll have the steak. No wine, but a beer if you have it,” Jen says, before glancing toward me.
Damn! This girl keeps getting better and better. We’re going to enjoy a steak and a beer. Most women I’ve dated would’ve gone for a grilled chicken salad and a glass of shit wine, but it has been a while. Maybe times have changed.
“I’ll have the same.” I nod toward the waiter dressed in all black. “And if you still have those little lava cakes, we’ll take a couple of those too.”
The waiter takes our order and heads to the back of the house as I turn my attention to the girl in front of me
“ Lava cake? I think those are the exact reason why I’m not a model.”
“Back to my question. Do you want to be?”
“No, but that’s not really the point. The point is that she’s perfect and I’m the opposite of that. I couldn’t be a model even if I wanted to.”
“Do you want to be?”
“Why do you keep asking me that?”
“Because you could be, if you wanted to be.”
“I’m not getting skinny and… yeah, that’s just not me.”
“That’s not what I’m saying. You’re perfect right now.”
She laughs and fidgets with the flatware on the table. “Yeah, well, I’m paying you to say that, so… good job.”
“You’re not paying me for compliments. This is just us talking right now. Nothing more than that. Believe me when I tell you, you’re beautiful.”
Her cheeks turn red, and I can tell she’s not used to taking compliments. Truthfully, I’m not used to giving them.
The waiter sets a basket of bread in the center of the table and settles two local IPAs down in front of us. I recognize the brand from a small distillery in Whiskey Falls.
Jen tips the amber bottle up and takes a long, hard drag, letting the liquid linger in her mouth before swallowing it down. “This is good. Like really good. Have you had it before?”
“A while back. I like local beers when I can get ‘em. You?”
“Not really. I’m a Coors girl, but this is good. It’s got an orange flavor to it I like.” She takes another sip and sets the bottle down slowly. “So, how do we make this look real?”
I hold my palm out, face up. “Put your hand in mine.”
Her dark brown gaze meets mine with suspicion. “Do we touch and then some magical thing happens?”
“I hope so.” I wiggle my fingers, prompting her toward me. “Let’s try.”
More suspicion, though I’m starting to like how shy she is. It’s cute the way her cheeks turn pink, and her nose scrunches up.
Slowly, her soft hand lands in mine and there’s a spark of something that I can’t describe. It comes on fast and lingers as she holds space against my skin.
Fuck! My cock presses at the seam of my jeans, and for the first time in a long time, I’m suddenly awake in ways I haven’t been in for what seems like forever. Honestly, I really shouldn’t be, considering none of this is meant to be real.
Her tiny hand lands against mine, and despite the fact that I’m burning too hot too quick, I close my palm around her, stroking the back of her hand with my thumb. “So, now that we’ve determined that you could model if you wanted to, and you’re clearly the more successful sister from a professional perspective, it’s obvious that you’ve got no one who compares to you. What else can I solve for you tonight?”
Her brows narrow. “Wow. Really?”
“Yeah, I mean… it’s true.”
“You haven’t seen my sister. The second you do, you’re going to see why I’m paying you to play with me.”
I can feel a slight chuckle leave my lips. “Not a chance. I’ve never really been into the whole thin girl thing. I mean, don’t get me wrong, I’m not shaming anyone’s body, but I’ve just always liked thicker girls. I’m a guy who needs a girl with something to hold on to. Plus, one of the greatest joys in life is to have someone who can sit down and eat with me, ya know?”
She tears into the bread and butters both sides before taking a bite and rolling her eyes up slightly. “Well, that sounded very convincing. You almost had me believing that’s really what you’re into.”
“No, I’m serious. I like a woman with some weight on her.”
“Yeah, tits and ass… that’s what all men say.”
“No. You don’t get the tits and the ass without the stomach, the arms, and the thighs.” I groan, “The thighs are my favorite.”
Her brows narrow as though she’s trying to discern whether or not I’m full of shit, which is sad. “How the hell are you still single?”
“I want to be.”
“You want to be?”
“Yeah. Relationships are complicated as fuck. I’m always saying the wrong thing, doing the wrong thing, acting the wrong fucking way. Truth be told, I’d rather just leave the house on Sundays to go hunting without an earful of guilt.”
She tilts her head back as though the puzzle has been unlocked. “Oh, so you’re that guy.”
“That guy?”
“Yeah, the guy who thinks every request from his partner is a threat to his independence.”
“No. I just like doing my own thing without answering to anyone. Besides, I’m closing in on fifty. Starting a family is kind of out of the question at his point.”
“Why’s that?”
The waiter sets our plates down in front of us and the sweet, slightly metallic smell of steak surrounds us. I’m starving. I didn’t realize how hungry I was, though I don’t want to let go of Jen’s hand.
“Well, the math of the whole kids thing doesn’t really make sense. I’d be nearly dead by the time I got kids into college, which doesn’t seem fair to them. Then, there’s the part where I haven’t found anyone I like enough yet to answer to.” I laugh, hoping she picks up on the joke.
Considering she returns a sarcastic gaze, I assume she does. She slices into her steak and takes a bite. “There’s still time to have a family. Don’t sell yourself to the corner yet. Besides, you look… healthy. ”
“Thank you?” I take a bite of steak while enjoying the view from across the table. I could get used to this. “What about you? Why aren’t you seeing anyone?”
“Oh, I’ve dated a little here and there, but guys my age are all the same.”
“How’s that?” The bulbs from the Christmas tree flicker behind her, lighting the gentle features on her face just right.
“Well, the last two guys I dated both refused traditional jobs because ‘ working for the man ’ was a waste. The last one… cheated on me. So, I’ve been picking some real winners lately.”
“Wow. Yeah… that’s a shit track record. If they don’t like ‘the man,’ did they at least try and start their own business?”
“Is having a fledgling YouTube channel a business?” She bites back laughter as she takes another bite of steak. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t be so rude, but… I don’t know. Is it wrong to want a guy with a job and doesn’t cheat? Enough about me and all my demands in a partner. How’s your love life been? When was the last time you were dating anyone?”
“Oh shit.” I take a sip of wine. “I haven’t been seriously dating in like ten years. I’ve hung out with a few women since then, but there were no feelings. We just chilled.”
“Oh, so sex?”
“Ha! No, maybe in my twenties, but not now. Random sex just complicates things.”
“Oh yeah? Okay… and I hate lava cake.”
“No, really. I don’t know if it’s my age or what, but I don’t have the same desperation to ‘get laid’ as I did when I was younger. Since then, I’m keeping the door open for a serious relationship, but not really going out and looking for one.”
She nods and slides another bite of steak into her mouth, chewing slowly as she stares toward me. “So,” she swallows down her bite, “and you just get more perfect. I really have a hard time believing women aren’t throwing themselves at you. A good-looking guy who works hard, isn’t fucking everything that moves, and who also just happens to love a body positive movement? I mean…”
I laugh. “See, you’re painting me with a brush I like. Most women think they want a hard-working man until he’s busy all the time working. And believe it or not, a lot of women think it’s weird that I won’t hook-up anymore. Like I’m hiding something.”
“What would you be hiding?”
“A small dick, I presume.” The words linger in the air as I cross my toes, hoping she knows I’m joking.
Finally, she laughs. She laughs the most beautiful laugh I’ve ever heard. It’s not at all feminine and refined. Rather, it’s harsh and loud, filling up the quiet room with color and life. “Okay then. Well,” she takes a sip of beer, “I can see that as a risk some would be unwilling to take. So, what do you do then, besides work and nurture small dick insecurities?”
Fuck, I like this girl. I laugh as I say, “There’s enough shit to do on the farm to keep me busy the rest of my life, but when I get bored with that, I like picking up old appliances. I take them apart and put them back together again. Most of the time, people trash perfectly good shit that needs a relatively inexpensive part to work. It’s rewarding. What about you? What do you do for fun?”
“Fun?” She grins and slices her spoon into the warm lava cake that the waiter has just dropped off at the table. “I don’t know if I remember what fun is. I stop for coffee every morning before school. I guess I like that.”
“No hobbies?”
“Reading for the most part. Jeez, I never realized how boring I am.”
“No, that’s not boring. It’s nice. I think people talk a lot of shit, ya know? Social media makes everyone’s lives look amazing when, in reality, we’re all just sitting around reading books, cooking dinner, taking refrigerators apart. What kind of books do you read?”
Her cheeks blush. “Don’t judge me. I’m not one of those girls that’s completely obsessed with thinking her boyfriend should be a ‘book boyfriend.’ The fact that I paid you to be my date to the family Christmas party has nothing to do with my romance addiction. Trust me.” She grins and takes another bite of cake.
“Oh damn.” I grin, taking a bite for myself before letting my hand meet hers again. I could sit here for eternity just watching her face light up over and over. “What have I gotten myself into?”
“I know. See, last chance to run.”
“Nah,” I glance down at my watch. “I’m not leaving you now. We should probably get moving, though. The eclipse starts in two hours. We don’t want to miss it.”
“No, we don’t.” She scoops the final piece of lava cake into her mouth and lets go of my hand, leaving behind a cold swell as she stands and tugs her coat back into place. “I’ll get the check. You can—”
“No.” I stand with her, tucking my hand against the small of her back. “This is my treat. Please.”
A half smile spreads onto her face, and a buzz radiates across my chest. For the first time in my life, I don’t want a conversation to end.