101. Sterling
Chapter 101
Sterling
Courtney disappears into the woods, and I can’t separate the feelings inside me.
The soft feelings are twisted together with feelings of hesitation. With the feeling that this is temporary.
But I don’t want to be that person.
I don’t want to be the surly man who grows old and dies alone in the woods because he won’t give anyone a chance.
I won’t be that man.
Grabbing Courtney’s towel off the deck, I head back inside.
When I got home earlier, my plan was to go up to my bedroom and stare down at Courtney’s cabin to see if I could tell if she was awake or not.
But then I paused by the back door, the steam from the uncovered hot tub catching my attention.
And like a mirage in the desert, the steam parted and there she was.
My Courtney, sitting in my hot tub.
It was exactly what I’d hoped for when I fucked with the wiring behind the panel.
Even though I’d stopped counting on hope a long time ago.
But I should’ve known better .
Courtney tips everything on its head.
Stepping back into my house, I shut the sliding door behind me, the heated air of my home prickling against my cold skin.
I watched her for too long. Unsure if I should join her or let her be. Until she stood up.
God damn.
When she stood up, I nearly groaned out loud.
My pretty little worker, using my hot tub in nothing but her underwear.
I head toward my stairs before I remember I’m supposed to be making sure the guys stay away from the Laundry Cabin.
Changing direction, I snag an extra flannel I left hanging off a dining room chair and shrug it on.
I’ll do my job now, but before I go to bed, I’m ordering Courtney the smallest, skimpiest, easiest-to-remove bikini I can find.