6. Paige
6
PAIGE
I ’d made up my mind about Hawk when he’d shown me around his workshop. Even with the uncertainty about children hanging over us, I knew he was the man for me. And our dinner tonight only reinforced those feelings. We have something real, Hawk and I. We’ve just had to push through some awkwardness to get there.
Now, in the darkness of the bedroom, there's nothing awkward between us at all. Hawk’s lips part against mine and I sink into his kiss, losing myself in the heat and strength of it. His tongue slides against mine, tasting and exploring, claiming my mouth with the command of a man who knows what he wants.
Everything about his kiss turns me on. My nipples pebble, my inner thighs go warm. My pussy aches with desperate need. My mind has turned to fuzz except for a single thought, and that thought is about how badly I want him. All of him.
I press myself against the huge man I’m sharing a bed with, and his hard-on throbs between us like it’s about to explode. Hawk groans against my mouth, and when I slide a hand between us to touch him, he curses, an expletive that gives me a little thrill, knowing that a simple touch from me can make him feel that good.
I wrap my hand around his cock, amazed at how thick he is. One long stroke up and down draws another curse from his lips.
“Paige…” he groans. “Honey…”
And then Hawk’s hand is sliding down my stomach, slipping into my panties. His fingers find my clit wet and warm. I inhale a sharp breath as he starts to stroke the swollen nub, his pace matching mine as I move my hand up and down his cock.
We breathe harder. We thread our legs together. We increase our pace, stroking, stroking, stroking…
“Fuck.” Hawk’s jaw tightens, his fingers stuttering on my clit. And then, with a hard jerk of his hips against my hand, he comes. Warm, sticky cum splashes everywhere—on his stomach, on my hand, on the sheets. One huge spurt, and then another. It’s so hot that it tips me over the edge, too. My thighs clamp around Hawk’s hand as he struggles to keep rubbing me, a high moan falling from my lips as I come.
I feel like I’m in a drunken daze as we both catch our breath, the warmth of the room and the orgasm he just gave me tugging me back into sleep. I’m only vaguely aware of Hawk sliding out of bed to clean himself up, and then of him sliding back into bed and pulling me into his arms. The kiss he presses to my forehead feels like the sweetest, softest thing. I tilt my chin up, wanting one of those kisses on my lips, too.
But I fall asleep before his lips can reach mine.
The next morning, I wake later than usual. Flashes of last night flicker through my mind, and I reflexively reach out for Hawk. But my hands only find empty bedsheets, and when I blink awake, I confirm, disappointingly, that I’m alone.
A knot forms in my stomach. Shit. What if Hawk regrets what happened between us? What if letting his guard down, letting me in, was too much for him? I push myself up, trying to shake off the worry, and pad out to the kitchen in search of him.
The cabin is eerily quiet. No coffee brewing, no dishes in the sink, no sign that Hawk’s been through here at all this morning. The kitchen looks exactly as we left it after dinner last night. My chest tightens as I scan the entryway—his boots are gone.
I move to the window, scanning the yard toward his workshop. A thin curl of smoke rises from the wood stove’s chimney, and light glows in the windows. He’s out there, just like every other morning.
But something about this feels different. Wrong.
I can’t decide what to do. Part of me wants to give him space—God knows he values his privacy. But I’m awful at dealing with uncertainty. My whole life’s been full of people pulling away from me, and I can’t stand the thought of Hawk doing the same thing. Not after last night.
Screw it. I can’t just sit here wondering.
I force myself out into the yard and up to his workshop. My heart pounds as I knock on the door. I’m already preparing myself for the withdrawn, distant version of Hawk that I’m worried I’ll find. But when he opens the door, his expression is soft. Gentle, even.
“Good morning.” He leans in and kisses me like it’s the most natural thing in the world.
My brain short-circuits for a second. “Good morning,” I manage to say. “Are we okay?”
He gives me a confused look. “Yes?”
“It’s just—I woke up alone. And you didn’t even make coffee this morning.”
He smiles. “Yeah, I was eager to get to work.”
Something still isn’t adding up. “On the owl carving?”
He shakes his head. “Something else.” There’s a glint in his eyes that I can’t quite read, but he doesn’t explain. “I want to get back to it, but I shouldn’t need to work quite as long today. I’ll see you later?”
“Okay,” I say, still trying to figure out what’s going on with him.
Walking back to the cabin, I feel like an idiot for working myself up so much. Here I was imagining the worst, and meanwhile Hawk seems more relaxed than ever. I guess I’m still learning how to read him.
I’m just stepping inside the cabin when my phone rings. I grab it, and Courtney’s warm voice comes through.
“Hi, Paige,” she says. “I hope I’m not catching you at a bad time?”
“No, not at all.” I curl up on the couch, grateful for the distraction. “How’s everything?”
“Good. The girls are still talking about how you and Hawk brought Grizzly home. You’re their heroes now.” She laughs. “I was wondering if you’d like to come by for coffee this afternoon? Around two? Jordana’s coming over too. The girls will be at their friend’s house, so we can actually have a real conversation.”
The idea of talking to other women, especially two who know what it’s like to live up here on the mountain, sounds exactly like what I need right now. “I’d love that. I’ll be there. Can I bring anything?”
“No, no. Just yourself. I’m excited to chat with you.” There’s a smile in her voice that makes me wonder how much she’s guessed about my situation with Hawk.
That afternoon, when I pull up to Courtney’s home, Grizzly’s excited barking echoes from inside. Before I can even reach the porch, Courtney opens the door with a bright smile, holding back the eager dog. “Hi, Paige. Come in! Jordana’s already here.”
I follow her into the house, immediately struck by how different her family’s home feels from Hawk’s cabin. Warmth radiates from every corner—family photos line the walls, children’s artwork decorates the fridge, and the entire space hums with life and love. It’s so different from the quiet solitude of the home I’m trying to build with Hawk.
But maybe—someday—Hawk and I will have a home like this, too.
Jordana sits on the couch, one hand resting on her belly. She’s wearing an oversized button-down shirt, presumably her husband’s, and her hair is pulled back in a low ponytail. She gives me a friendly hello as Courtney, looking effortlessly pretty in a soft cardigan and braided hair, gestures me toward an armchair.
“Make yourself comfortable,” Courtney says. “I’ve got coffee and freshly baked cookies. Ryder and the girls are out for the afternoon, so the cookies won’t immediately disappear for once.”
I laugh, accepting a mug of delicious smelling coffee from her. “Thank you for having me over.”
“We’re just happy to finally meet you properly,” Jordana says, shifting to get more comfortable. “It’s not often we get new neighbors up here.”
“The mountain is so beautiful. I can see why you all chose to live up here.” I take a breath, trying to keep my tone casual. “I’m sure you’re wondering what brought me here.”
Both women smile warmly, curiosity sparking in their eyes as they wait for me to continue.
“I’m here to marry Hawk.” I decide to keep the details vague, wanting to respect his privacy. “He and I met online.”
Their eyebrows lift in unison.
“Hawk is getting married?” Jordana exchanges a look with Courtney. “I never thought I’d see the day. He makes Griffin look sociable in comparison.”
“Yes, he definitely prefers his privacy,” I say with a smile. “But we’re enjoying each other’s company.” Heat rises in my cheeks as I remember last night—how we finally connected, the intimacy we shared. I take a quick sip of coffee to hide my flushed face.
“Do you have anyone lined up to photograph your wedding?” Courtney asks, reaching for a cookie.
“No, we’re keeping it really simple. Just a trip to City Hall in Fairhope.”
“Well,” Courtney says, “I’m actually a wedding photographer. I’d be more than happy to capture the day for you, if you’d like. No pressure, of course.”
“You should definitely take her up on that,” Jordana adds. “Courtney takes the most gorgeous photos.”
“That’s such a kind offer,” I say. “I’ll talk to Hawk about it.”
Jordana shifts again on the couch, clearly uncomfortable in her pregnant state despite the smile on her face. “Tell us about your dress, Paige. What does it look like?”
“Oh, it’s just a simple white dress I found at a thrift store. And I’ll wear the veil you saw when I stopped at your house to ask for directions.” I think about how I’d hoped Hawk would find my little veil amusing. He definitely hadn’t, but so much has changed between us since that awkward first meeting. I wonder what his reaction would be now, seeing me in my veil again…
“I’m sure you’ll look beautiful,” Courtney says warmly. “Sometimes the simplest weddings are the most meaningful.”
“Thank you, I hope so.” Feeling like I’ve dominated the conversation long enough, I turn to Jordana. “How are you feeling, Jordana? You must be excited to meet your little one.”
Her whole face glows as she rubs her belly. “Six more weeks to go—though honestly, I’m ready for this baby to come out yesterday. Griffin is pretending to be chill about it, but I catch him constantly reading parenting books when he thinks I’m not looking.”
I smile. “What does your husband do?”
“He counsels veterans,” Jordana explains. “He served for twelve years himself. He’s a bit of a recluse too, though not quite as much as Hawk.”
“I saw one of Hawk’s carvings at the bank in Fairhope,” Courtney mentions. “It was stunning.”
“His work is incredible,” I say, pride swelling in my chest. “The detail he puts into each piece, the way he brings the wood to life…I’ve never seen anything like it.”
Jordana and Courtney exchange a smiling look.
“Aww,” Courtney says. “You’re so in love with him.”
The words hit me hard. Am I? No, it’s too soon for that. But I can’t exactly explain that to them without revealing the unusual circumstances of our relationship.
Fortunately, the conversation shifts to safer topics. Courtney tells stories about her girls’ latest adventures, and how Ryder has been working on some gorgeous custom lamps for a new client. Jordana shares what it’s like running her auto shop in Fairhope, though she’s cut back to just a few days a week now with the baby coming. They both talk about the challenges and joys of mountain life—the isolation, the need to plan ahead for supplies, but also the peace they’ve found here.
“Thank you both for being so welcoming,” I say as the afternoon winds down. “It means a lot, especially since I’m still finding my footing up here.” I laugh softly. “I can’t promise I’ll ever convince Hawk to join us for coffee, but I’d love to do this again.”
“Anytime,” Courtney says, pulling me into a warm hug. “We mountain women need to stick together.”
On the drive back to Hawk’s cabin, their words about being in love with him keep echoing in my head. I know I’m not in love with him—they just misread my enthusiasm about his work. But when I think about yesterday in his workshop, the way he opened himself up to me…and then last night, the frenzied heat between us, how hot he made me feel…damn. My whole body feels warm and shimmery at the memory.
I find myself laughing at the ridiculousness of my situation. Here I am, hoping I’ll fall in love with the man I’m already planning to marry.
But maybe that’s okay.
Maybe sometimes love grows from unusual beginnings.