5. Wilder
WILDER
“ W hy are you looking at me like that?” Ari asks over supper the next day.
“Like what?” I mumble as I take a sip of my water. I know full well what she’s referring to; I’m just not sure how to answer.
“Like I’m a witch or something.”
This woman. I choke out a laugh while trying to swallow my drink, resulting in a coughing fit.
“I suppose in a way, you are,” I tell her.
“You cast some sort of spell on me last night. I can’t remember the last time I went back to sleep after having one of my nightmares.
Hell, I didn’t just go back to sleep; I slept nearly half the day. ”
I didn’t think Ari could get any more beautiful, but when she beams up at me with those green eyes shining with pride, it takes considerable effort not to swipe everything off the kitchen table and pull her in for a kiss.
But that would be so beyond inappropriate. Ari needed help, and it would make me a total asshole unworthy of her love if I took advantage of that.
Hold up. Love? Where did that thought come from?
“I’m glad it helped,” Ari says, her light voice gently bringing me back into the moment.
When I woke up this morning, Ari was sitting on the bed next to me, reading one of my old Western novels I hauled up here in a box last Spring. She was so peaceful and radiant, and for a moment, it all felt familiar. Like we do this all the time.
The crazy thing is, I want that. I don’t know how it happened so quickly, but this woman burst into my life in the most unexpected way, and now I don’t know if I can let her go.
“So, are you going to tell me why I found you trapped in a tree last night?” I ask, suddenly needing to know everything about her. She makes me restless but in a good way. I think. The jury’s still out.
Ari’s cheeks blush slightly, and she rolls her eyes self-deprecatingly. “You’re going to laugh.”
“Try me,” I tell her with a straight face.
“There have been rumors of the paranormal variety circling the old mining town you bought last year.”
“Paranormal activity? In my town?” I’m not sure what I was expecting, but it certainly wasn’t that.
“Well, no one knew the land had been purchased. Everyone assumed it was abandoned. Hikers have recorded odd occurrences over the last year, like evidence of recent fires that appear to be controlled and possibly ritualistic.”
“They were to clear the brush in the construction area and make a drivable path to the base,” I grumble.
“Which I understand now,” Ari says. “Obviously, my whole story is a bust, but at least I got some amazing sketches on the hike up here. I usually sell my sketches online or use them as giveaway prizes for my followers… but I’m not sure if it’ll be enough to keep this little adventure going for much longer. ”
Her shoulders slump as she folds in on herself. She looks defeated, and I hate it.
“Maybe Aunt Maureen was right. Maybe I need to give up this silly fantasy of travel writing.”
I know she’s talking more to herself than me, but I don’t care. I need to know who this Maureen woman is. She apparently told Ari her dreams are silly, and that doesn’t sit right with me.
“Travel writing?” I ask, hoping to find out more. I feel totally lost and ignorant of her profession, but I can learn.
“Paranormal travel writing, to be exact.” Ari’s usually bright smile is dim and she won’t look me in the eye.
She shrugs, and I can tell by how she’s holding herself that she’s anxious about my opinion.
“I research and visit haunted places, well-documented UFO sightings, and graveyards, and I record and write about my experiences online. I have a blog and a webstore, and I also do some freelance articles for other indie publishers. I always have a sketchbook with me. I document my process and sketch things that inspire me. It’s weird, I know, and most people don’t get it, but–”
“That’s incredible,” I tell her truthfully. “I’ve never even heard of someone doing that, but here you are, making it work.”
“Well, I don’t know if I’d go that far. You did just pluck me out of a tree because I was woefully ill-prepared for an overnight hike up in the mountains.”
“But you’re living life on your terms,” I counter.
Ari finally looks at me, her eyes brimming with tears. She doesn’t let them fall, though she nods once, letting me know that’s all she’s trying to accomplish. Life on her own terms. I can relate. I’m trying to do the same, but my life comes with a lot more complications and baggage.
“That’s the goal, anyway,” she says, subtly wiping away a rogue tear.
“My aunt Maureen thinks I need to give it up and find a real job. She never understood that I don’t believe every ghost story out there or every paranormal experience.
But I’m open to there being more out there than we can possibly understand. ”
I envy her optimism, though I know her life hasn’t been easy. Ari only briefly shared the devastating loss of her parents when she was young, and it sounds like her aunt was not a very caring guardian.
“You found a passion. A purpose. Most people go their entire lives without one.”
Ari gives me a soft smile, and our eyes lock for long moments. I thought I knew my purpose when I joined the military, but that was blown to hell after the incident . Literally. But now, right here in this moment, I think I may have found my new purpose.
“Um, well, thank you,” she whispers before breaking eye contact.
Ari clears her throat and looks around the cabin, clearly hoping for a distraction.
“So, I guess I should probably find a ride down to the base of the mountain. My car is parked in one of the overnight lots by the trailheads on the south–”
“Stay,” I blurt. Ari stares at me, and I stumble all over my words. “I mean, your ankle is probably still hurting. Best to rest it for a bit before leaving.”
Ari narrows her eyes at me, and I wonder if she can see the desperation coming off of me in waves. I don’t want her to go. This magical creature came into my life, whispered sweet words of forgiveness, and put a sleeping spell on me. I can’t let her go.
“I don’t want to be in your way,” she starts.
“You won’t be. Besides, I’m not going to drop off an injured woman alone in the wilderness.”
“It’s a paved parking lot that I paid way too much to store my vehicle safely. It’s hardly the wilderness .” Her words say one thing, but her tone and sweet smile say another. I think my Ari wants a reason to stay.
“Just one more night then. You can show me the relaxation thing again. I swear it worked like magic.”
“One more night,” she agrees.
I slowly blink my eyes open, unsure what woke me. The first golden rays of morning sunlight peek through the edges of the curtains, letting me know it’s still early.
More awareness floods my body, and I look down to see the most gorgeous sight.
Ari is sound asleep and wrapped around me like a spider monkey.
I’m on my back while she’s draped over my chest, her head tucked under my chin.
My dick springs to life when I realize she’s straddling me, her hips gently rocking up and down.
She has no idea I’m about to come in my damn pants. My cock twitches, growing harder by the second. I’m about to adjust her so I don’t scare her away by being a creep when I hear the sweetest, sexiest little moan fall from her lips.
“Wilder,” she whimpers, her thighs tightening around my hips.
I tip my head back, swallowing a growl. Ari rubs her pussy against me, burying her head in the side of my neck. She’s still asleep, but fuck, she’s having a sexy dream about me. That thought has the fucker in my pants leaking precum like a faucet.
I want to do so many things to her luscious, curvy little body, but I’d never take advantage of her.
My fists clench at my sides, shaking with the need to touch her.
It physically hurts not to grab her hips and grind her hot little cunt against my cock or tangle my fingers in her hair and tilt her head up so I can claim her lips.
But this is about her comfort and pleasure.
I bite the side of my cheek and take measured breaths as this sexy-as-hell woman rubs herself against me, moaning softly in her sleep while she uses me to get off.
Fucking Christ, my muscles tense and my whole body trembles, the need to flip her over on her back and sink into her eager pussy nearly choking me.
My aching dick swells even more when Ari scrapes her teeth down my throat and moans loudly.
I feel her damp heat through the fabric of my thin cotton pants.
I can tell the only thing she has on is the oversized t-shirt I gave her yesterday to wear as pajamas.
No underwear, which makes sense after the shower she took.
My hips jerk, thrusting up on their own when I feel her pussy lips spread around my thickness. Ari whimpers as she grinds down on my barely-covered cock. She’s fucking soaking the material with her juices.
I fist the sheets in my hands, bowing my back off the mattress, the pain of restraint jacking up my heartbeat and making me sweat.
“Wilder,” she moans again, her fingernails digging into my sides for leverage as she grinds herself on top of me. “Yes, yes, Wilder, Wilder…” Her whimpers grow louder, more desperate as she reaches her peak.
Right before her orgasm hits, Ari’s eyes flash open, searing me with her lust. She looks surprised, confused, and so fucking turned on it hurts.
“Come for me, angel,” I whisper.
Ari leans forward, her lips meeting mine in a frantic kiss. I slip my tongue inside her mouth, tasting her for the first time. Her body grows tight, her muscles taut and trembling. I nip at her lips, pulling her bottom one through my teeth before diving back in for another taste.
Ari unravels so beautifully for me, gasping and moaning her ecstasy into my mouth as she rolls her body on top of mine. Unable to hold back any longer, I slide my hands up her smooth thighs, gripping her hips and holding her still as I grind against her, scraping her clit with each thrust.
My angel tears her mouth away from mine, arching her back as she comes again, her climax devastating her curvy little body. I hold her close as aftershocks rattle through her, whispering soothing things into her ear before kissing her cheek.
Finally, Ari goes limp in my arms. I love the weight of her body on top of me, her soft curves melting into the hard slats of my muscles, her shallow breaths tickling my skin.
“Oh my God, I’m… I’m so sorry. I don’t know what came over me.”
“Shh, there’s nothing to apologize for,” I assure her, combing my fingers through her dark hair. “You’re so beautiful, Ari.”
Her heart pounds in her chest, and I roll us so we’re on our sides, facing each other. “I’ve never done anything like that before,” she whispers, nibbling on her bottom lip.
Seeing her so shy after what we shared is killing me. “I’m happy to be your first.”
She blushes bright red, and I realize how that came off. Then, I realize that it’s true. I got the sense earlier that Ari hasn’t had much experience with men or dating in general, but I think she’s telling me I’m her first… everything.
Panic sets in as my vision tunnels. Ari deserves someone better. Someone who can be sweet and gentle and understanding. I’ll only break her heart. I don’t know how to handle someone as precious as Ari, and given the chance, I’m sure she’d come to that conclusion on her own.
“Wilder?” Ari asks. The way she says it lets me know it’s not the first time she’s tried getting my attention. “Everything okay?”
“Yes,” I automatically respond, nodding robotically.
Even as I say the word, I’m tearing the blanket off and rolling out of bed.
“Just realized I haven’t done a perimeter check in a while,” I say, not even sure what the hell is coming out of my mouth.
Perimeter check? This isn’t the Rangers, you idiot.
“Oh… okay,” Ari answers, though I know she’s confused.
I don’t blame her. I’m confused, too. All I know is that the cabin is too small to stay in there with Ari and not ravish her body, and I can’t do that since I’m a bastard who can’t be trusted with someone as sweet and pure as my Ari.
“I’ll be back,” I tell her as I pull on pants and a shirt. I grab my boots and jacket on the way out the door, leaving a stunned, slack-jawed Ari staring after me.
What the fuck am I doing?