Chapter Four
Ethan
I wake to Luna still curled into my side, silver-blonde hair splayed across my chest. She is so beautiful.
After tasting her and feeling her fall apart last night, I’m even more gone than before. I have so much to show her, so much to make her feel. I can’t wait to show her around Whiskey Mountain and show her everything in the bedroom.
I know I will be her first, but as far as I’m concerned, I’m going to be her last, too. She is mine. It was fate that I walked up on her yesterday and I’m not squandering something so clearly sent to me.
Since I got out of the military, I haven’t let anyone get close to me. I haven’t even had a casual hookup in years because the idea of letting anyone inside after everything I saw scared the shit out of me. But now that I’m home and in a good place with my business, I can’t think of anything I want more than Luna.
I know she’s hiding something and I know she’s not ready to tell me yet. But when she is, I’ll be there ready to protect her, fight for her, do whatever she needs. She is it for me and she needs to know that.
She begins stirring beside me, wincing a bit as she moves her wrist.
“Morning, Lu,” I say, her midnight blue eyes staring up at me like she’s surprised I’m still here. “How’s the wrist?”
“Better, I think,” she lifts it and undoes the brace. She starts slowly circling her wrist first left, then right, then back and forth. “I think one more day in the brace and I should be good as new.”
“Good, let me grab you some ice while you have the brace off,” I say, planting a kiss on the crown of her head before rising to grab one of the ice packs I brought over out of the freezer. I wrap it in a blue and white checked kitchen towel before crawling back in beside her.
“Thank you.” She gives me a tight smile as she wraps the ice pack around her wrist, grimacing slightly at the cool shock. I crawl in beside her, sitting against the pillows and pulling her into my arms. I never want to wake up without her again. This feels so natural, so right, like we were always meant to be here.
Is it possible to feel this way after only knowing someone for less than a day?
She breaks my thoughts by asking me how I slept.
“Best sleep I’ve had in years, thanks to you,” I say with a wink. She lights up at my response. “How about you?”
“Same. I feel rested for the first time in… so long,” she meets my eyes again and I can see her holding something back, but I don’t prod. Instead I ask, “What do you have on your schedule today?”
“Just settling in, getting the things done that I couldn’t do last night—unpacking, going to the store, things like that. I also should look for a job at some point, I was planning on picking something up while I’m here to make some extra cash and get out of the cabin.”
“Come work for me at the brewery,” I say without really thinking about it. I could use the help and it would give me an excuse to spend more time around her, which I wouldn’t mind at all. I’m sure Scott would be glad for the extra set of hands, especially as we head into the busy summer season.
“You’ve already done so much for me,” she says after a moment. “I don’t want you to feel like I’m taking advantage of your kindness.”
“You’re not. Do you have any restaurant experience?”
“Yeah, I was a waitress and a bartender at a chain place when I was in college. I imagine getting back into it is like riding a bike. But seriously, Ethan, don’t feel like you have to offer me a job just because I mentioned it. I’m happy to look around town.”
“Nope. You’re working for me, whether you like it or not,” I answer, hoping the sparkle in my eye conveys that I’m joking… kind of. I want to keep her close by.
“Okay, thank you, Ethan. Really. I don’t know how I would’ve gotten anything done without you last night and you’re certainly giving me a leg up on getting around Whiskey Mountain.” She shyly kisses my cheek and I can’t help but pull her on top of me for a deeper kiss. I know she’s not ready for more than we’ve already done yet, but I just need to taste her again.
I tangle a hand in her hair and bring her mouth to mine, she lets out a gentle moan as my tongue pierces her mouth and I can’t help but think that this is what heaven must feel like. Our kiss continues, gentler and more exploratory than last night, before we break apart. I decide we should stop now or we’ll never get anything done today.
“I can drive you to the store, show you around, if you want?” I say, stroking her hair as I wait for her answer, admiring the bright blonde strands against the tan of my well-worked hands. Everywhere she is soft and delicate, I am hard and worn. She is my perfect contrast. “I just need to run home and change first, then we could head out.”
“I can go myself, I don’t want you to have to run all around for me. You’ve already done so much.”
“I don’t mind. I like spending time with you.” I’m sure I’m being too forward, but I honestly don’t really care. She should know how I feel about her.
“Okay… if you’re sure.”
“I’m sure,” I say. I plant a quick kiss on her lips before lifting her off me and setting her to the side. I get up, grab her ice pack to throw back in the freezer. She tells me she’ll be ready by the time I get back and I head back to my place.
When I walk back in, it feels so different than it did yesterday. Kind of like it’s not home anymore. Like I may have found home somewhere else. Which is strange because I love my house. The log cabin overlooks a small pond that is great for fishing and wading in the hot summer months. I have a hot tub on my balcony that has a fantastic view of the mountains that looks even better at sunset. But now, it feels like it’s missing something, or someone.
I quickly shower and dress, throwing on jeans and a crewneck as it’s starting to warm up in the late spring and a full jacket no longer feels necessary. I swing through town on my way back to grab Luna a coffee. I’m not sure what she likes, so I take a gamble on a vanilla latte and a chocolate croissant, hoping she likes both. I grab myself a blueberry muffin and a black coffee before making the ten minute drive back.
As I pull back up to the cabin, I spot Luna through the window. She’s changed into a maroon knit sweater and jeans and looks so at home as she is placing clothes in the small dresser just outside of the bed nook.
This place was made for her.
She spots me through the window and gives me a wave and a bright smile. I beam back at her, excited to show her around and make Whiskey Mountain feel like home.