Chapter 6
“It’s not as windy today, want to sit outside and have some coffee?”
“Sure,” I told him, picking up my cup and joining him outside. But when I went to sit down next to him, he grabbed my hips and pulled me on his lap. I giggled as I wrapped my arm around him, taking in the view.
It had been a couple days of being here, but thanks to the wind and the cold, we hadn’t been able to sit outside, and I hadn’t been able to take in this view.
Which, yeah, was beyond stunning. The sun flickered down between the tall pines and with the slight breeze, it felt like a whole other world.
The hardest thing, though, was the silence.
Or at least the sound of mother nature. There wasn’t any screaming, no sirens wailing, and there wasn’t any loud music blaring.
Just sweet and total peace. Or, well, mother nature did provide its own background of noises, but that was more soothing than scary.
“Do you enjoy this?” I asked him, teasing him, because it seemed to me that he couldn’t keep his hands off me. Not that I minded, it was refreshing and new.
“Holding you and touching you? Oh, I do!”
I giggled at his enthusiasm and leaned against him, closing my eyes and just basking in the feeling. He sighed before his lips brushed my forehead.
“Is any part of this odd for you, Janelle?”
“You mean, like packing up everything I own, leaving my job and the city behind to move in and marry a man I don’t know? Nope, not at all.”
He chuckled as he squeezed me a little tighter.
“I’m glad I found you. Your smile and your curves caught my eye right away. But the more we talked, the more at home I felt with you. And that’s something I never thought I would see or feel.”
“Honestly, I would never have joined myself, you know. But I’m really glad my friends did it.”
“I figured you wouldn’t have.”
He kissed my head again and I snuggled in a little more.
Yes, this was strange, different, something I probably would never have done, but I haven’t been scared one moment that I stepped on his porch, even when he wasn’t home. This just felt right for me, something I hadn’t felt before.
And I couldn’t help but figure that if this felt not bad different, but good different, then it couldn’t be a bad thing.
“I have a confession,” he told me, running his hands over my sides.
I shifted so that I could look at him, a brow raised.
“Yes?”
“I looked over your artwork, regardless of if they were the ones someone asked you to do or the ones you thought of. All were insanely hot and all had me wanting to try everything you drew.”
I blushed yet again, making him smile. And this time when he tried to get a peek as to how much of my body was red, I didn’t stop him.
It was evident that there was heat between us and that we wanted each other, but nothing had gone beyond kissing and maybe somebody touching. But even then, we didn’t go beyond the chest or sides. Okay, he did grab my ass, but that was it.
I wanted to ask why that was. Again, I didn’t need to wait. But I was also too chicken to ask why he hadn’t started anything.
“Some of them were hot.”
“No, Janelle, all of them were hot. You didn’t hold back on the sizzle between people either. Like even from a picture, it came to life. I saw them and I had a hard on for two days that I couldn’t get rid of.”
I twisted my lip, looking at him.
If there was ever a time to ask, it was now. When he was open about what that did to him. I took a deep breath and then opened my mouth, ready to confront this head on. I was done being scared. That Janelle got left back in the city.
But before I could get anything out, someone was pounding on the door, causing both of us to jump and the moment was lost.
It was evident something was on her mind, and I had a feeling I knew what it was. However, I wasn’t going to answer it for her. She needed to speak her mind.
So, should I be lucky that someone was at my front door? Yes and no.
I lifted her up with ease and then went through my cabin and to the door, surprised to see Mason there.
“Hey man,” I told him, shaking his hand. “How did you get here?”
“We cleared your drive. A lot of places around here and higher up on the mountain had trees that fell. We sat them on the side, though, so you can break them down more at your leisure. I hope you were okay and nothing…,” he trailed off as he saw Janelle by my side and he smiled. “Hi.”
“Hi,” she said, offering him a tentative smile. “I’m Janelle.”
“The beauty who answered the mountain man ad huh?” he asked, just pushing his way inside. I stared at him for a moment but all he did was give me a shit eating grin.
“Oh, yeah, that’s me. Are you the friend that convinced him to join?”
“Yup, Mason. Nice to finally meet you. Plenty of hearts around here are going to be breaking knowing that Christian here got snatched up.”
“I’m a horrible person, I guess,” she joked, making Mason laugh. “Did you want something to drink? I’m sure clearing out all these trees is busy work.”
“I’d appreciate that, thank you. Christian isn’t the best of hosts at times. It’s nice that he’ll have a woman’s touch around.”
“You know, asshole, I’m standing right here,” I told him, crossing my arms over my chest and glaring at him. “And it’s not like you didn’t come to do the job without a cooler of drinks and food.”
“Christian, he’s your friend, he can stay for a minute.”
Mason wiggled his brows at me, and I couldn’t help but roll my eyes.
“I’m only doing it to get a rise out of him, Janelle.
I really can’t stay because I got some more drives to clear out, but we needed to be able to get Christian out in case there was an emergency.
He helps out around these parts from time to time.
It was nice to meet you, and I hope he’ll drag you down to the bar soon.
They have great music, decent drinks, and a big enough dance floor; love to spin you round a time or two. ”
“Really? Flirting with my woman right in front of me?”
“Hey, is the ink dry? Are you two legal yet?” he asked, glancing between Janelle and myself. I rolled my eyes once more and shoved him towards the door.
“Thank you for clearing the road. There was too much for me to do.”
“Not a problem, man,” he said, shaking my hand once more. “Nice to meet you, Janelle,” he said, waving to her as he went back to his rig.
“That guy,” I muttered, making her laugh.
“I like him, a lot actually. Why didn’t he join?”
“He’s a widow and claims he’ll never love another woman like he loved his first wife.” I turned to her, my heart stuttering for a moment as the sun flitted in and cast her in a beautiful glow.
“Shall we go back and sit,” she offered and I nodded, knowing I’d follow her anywhere.
I turned the covers down and climbed into bed, waiting for her. Today was great. We walked around the property a little bit, then came back and chilled. And now, I was ready to hold her in my arms yet again and sleep.
She came out of the bathroom, her head down, and I looked her over, seeing just how red she was. And honestly, I loved how the blush crept over her entire body.
She slipped into bed and turned to face me. We weren’t naked, but she had on nothing more than a thin top and some panties.
“You’re so beautiful and sexy, Janelle,” I told her, caressing her cheek. “I’m standing at attention for you.”
Her breath hitched and she licked her lips.
“So why aren’t you doing anything about it?” she whispered and I couldn’t help but admire the strength of this woman.
“Because though you may want it, you’re not fully ready for it. I know I can, and legally we can, but I want your heart one hundred percent behind it. Make no mistake, I know you think I’m lying or that I don’t want you, but that’s not the case. I just want you fully ready.”
“I’m not sure I deserve you, Christian.”
“That makes two of us, baby.”
I pulled her in my arms, snuggled close, and felt so damn content that I couldn’t wait for her to say yes, her heart and mind behind being with me.