Chapter 34 - Ace
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Waking up with the dawn, I slowly ease my arm out from under Nova. Reluctantly getting out of bed, I move around the small room, turning off the few nightlights I brought to make sure we are never in complete darkness. I have a plan to make the most of this time we have away. Operation Honeymoon and get over the shit-fest of Lizzy's rehearsal dinner is firmly underway.
Practically chugging my scalding hot coffee, I leave a note just in case the beauty, sleeping in our bed wakes up. There’s a small mark on her cheek from where her aunt hit her and I already know how red her eyes are going to be based on how puffy her lids look, but she's still the most beautiful woman I've ever seen.
One of the perks of staying in a fancy mountain resort is that there’s always someone at the front desk and as I plead my case to the tired woman, she shuffles a few things around so we can move into one of the private cabins on the other side of the lake for the rest of our stay. Apparently, there are a few perks for mentioning it's your honeymoon and we've been upgraded to the secluded lakeside cabin. She's even thrown in the meal package for free which means a week of uninterrupted bliss with my new wife.
***
The gravel road is small and windy as we make the short journey to the most sequestered cabin on the property. Ours is the last on the single road and past a gate so no one unexpected appears. Any staff who come to the cabin are arranged in advance so we have a warning in case activities are happening. Pulling up to the end of the road I can see why you might need prior warning.
The cabin is nestled between the lake and the edge of the forest where large native trees offer protection from the elements. A huge deck extends from the front and I'm not sure where the edge of the lake truly starts.
It looks as though the cabin is floating. Festoon lights are strung all over and I can already picture how magical it’s going to be after dark.
I have a suitcase full of romance that I was able to arrange this morning. I've never been one to throw money at a problem but I let the lady at reception have free reign of my credit card, ordering everything necessary that could be delivered immediately. Nova has been suspicious all morning, especially when I explained we needed to pack up and move to another spot. Then I had to spend thirty minutes reassuring her Beans was well looked after and that Mila agreed to help out Ashley for our extended stay. Considering all that's happened over the past few days, she's been in relatively good spirits. She's so much stronger than she realises. She always has been.
Taking her hand in mine, we sit in the cab of my truck just staring at the view. It’s like something out of a movie. The water is so still it mirrors the surrounding sanctuary and even though the sun is high overhead, it filters through the trees to create a soft light.
“Ace?”
she gasps, “are we staying here?”
“Yeah, darlin'. Happy honeymoon.”
I'm trying not to show how ecstatic I am over her response. I just want to take her in as she looks over this little piece of heaven tucked away for only us to use. For us to forget about the rest of the world.
Her eyes light up as she looks at me, a loud squeal leaving her as she throws open the door to the truck and leaps out, screaming race you to the water as she tugs her t-shirt over her head, throwing it in the air.
Laughing, I waste no time in stripping off as I try to catch up with her. Cursing the boots I'm wearing and the amount of weapons I have strapped to my body. She waits for me at the end of the small dock attached to the deck, standing only in her cotton underwear. Her long platinum hair flows down her back as she assesses the water, the small silvered scars that cover different parts of her body on full display.
Gods, I love this woman.
“You gonna jump or do you want me to throw you in?”
I chuckle, coming up behind her.
“Don't you dare!”
she yelps, “It looks cold doesn't it?”
Despite it being summer, the shade of the trees makes it feel a little cooler, and we’re still up in the mountains. Giving her a quick kiss I leap off the dock, showing off with a back flip and splashing into the cold water. Her squeals of delight ringing through the air. Shaking my hair out, I tread water as I watch her decide if she's going to get in with me. A few minutes pass and I hear a faint fuck it before she's jumping into the water, pinching her nose as she takes a small leap of faith.
“Holy fuck, it's cold!”
she yells. Swimming over to her, I wrap her legs around my waist and place her arms over my shoulders. I love it when she lets me carry her around but being in the water like this, she's like a baby koala holding on as I move us about.
“Can we spend forever like this, love? Just live in our own little world away from everyone.”
If someone had asked me to describe the perfect moment to me I would have said this, right now. Resting her head on my shoulder she sighs, content, just like I am. I'm not sure how long we stay out in the water, cuddling and jumping off the dock but eventually, the sun has dipped and we’re both cold. Taking a couple of the towels that are scattered at various points on the deck, I dry her off, wrapping one around her shoulders before she puts another around her hair.
Making our way inside the cabin there’s a large lounge suite in an open plan space, a kitchen on the far wall near two doors. One to the bedroom and bathroom on the other side. Despite it being a single-bedroom cabin, it is the epitome of luxury with every creature comfort you could want at your fingertips. I waste no time turning on the gas fireplace and pop Nova down in front of it while I run back to the truck to get our things, losing my towel at some point. After three trips to retrieve everything in just my underwear, I notice Nova has poured herself a glass of wine and is nibbling on a cheese board that must have been waiting for us.
“No, no, keep going. I like watching you work,”
she smiles. Her eyelids dipping slightly as she takes my muscles in. Striding over to where she's leaning I make sure to put the wine she was sipping down before I all but throw her over my shoulder, giving her ass a light tap as I head into the bedroom. Her body vibrates and squeals as laughter echoes through the cabin and I toss her on the gigantic bed. The towel in her hair comes loose and falls to the side and her cheeks flush from the sudden activity.
“Wife,”
I growl. A low rumble coming from my chest as I climb onto the bed and reach for her legs, swiftly pulling her to me so I’m nestled between them.
“I like this side of you,”
she says, reaching up to stroke my face. “This is the side of you only I get to see. He's my favourite version,”
she whispers. A secret only I’m meant to hear.
Her eyes are bright as she looks at me, her face wide open with all the love she gives and for the first time, I truly understand what it feels like to be loved. I never grasped what it meant growing up in foster care, and the few relationships I had weren't like this. Never like this. This is the type of love they tell for generations. The type people talk about, hoping to one day experience. Leaning down, I take her mouth and kiss her with all the passion and desire I feel. Her hips start to rock against mine and for the second time in less than a week, I come in my boxer briefs. The woman of my dreams grinding beneath me as she takes what she needs in the safety of my arms.