112. Sterling
Chapter 112
Sterling
Watching Courtney experience something new is quickly becoming an obsession.
She sat down by the river, wearing my coat, watching the water flow by, until food was ready.
Then she joined the rest of us at the table for her first fish fry dinner.
It’s nothing fancy. But it’s fresh caught. Well seasoned. And hot from the pan.
I know it’s delicious, but I couldn’t even taste my portion because I was too busy staring at Courtney while she consumed hers.
Her eyes closed with every bite.
My balls ached every time she licked the grease and salt off her fingers…
It was torturous.
If it was socially acceptable, I’d have taken my dick out and stroked it while she ate.
But then I would’ve embarrassed myself, coming in seconds, because now I know what it feels like to have her lips wrapped around my cock.
“What was that?” Fisher asks from beside me.
I didn’t say anything, but I must’ve made a noise thinking about my Courtney and her… skills .
“Nothing. Hand me that.” I point to a plastic container.
Fisher doesn’t press for more as we put away the rest of the dinner stuff.
Out here, everything needs to be secured and brought inside. Bears will mostly leave people alone, but it’s best not to entice them with fishy oil or sugar.
Sugar.
I smile at the paper bag on the table.
When Courtney showed up with that extra bag of groceries, I didn’t think much of it. Probably because I was still thinking about her legs wrapped around my waist and my tongue in her mouth.
But when I pulled the items out, I had to stop myself from stomping down to the shoreline and fucking her right then and there.
Because she brought cookies. Several different kinds, a container of each. Along with muffins and pastries. For breakfast she said, when I raised my brow at her.
The crunch of boots draws my attention.
“Need any help?” Courtney asks as she stops across the table from me.
I shake my head. “We’re wrapped up.”
“Oh, well, I can help bring it inside.” Her hands are hidden inside the long sleeves of my coat, but I can see her fidgeting, and I wonder if she’s doing that thing she does where she digs her damn thumbnail into the pad of her finger.
I should buy her gloves so she doesn’t hurt herself doing that.
“Go get ready for bed.” There are four posts holding the roof of the gazebo up, and each post has a lantern hanging from a hook, fighting off the darkness that has settled over the mountain. I nod toward one of the posts. “Take a lantern with you. There’s a hook on the back of the outhouse door to hang it on.”
Courtney bites her lip as she takes the closest lantern down.
Fisher is still standing here with us, so I can’t demand she put her eyes on me. But I’m also not going to ignore the obvious signs of nervousness she’s displaying.
“What’s wrong, Court?”
Her eyes dart up to mine. “Nothing. I just…” She glances over at Fi sher. “I brought my overnight bag like you said. But I didn’t bring any blankets or anything.” Her shoulders lift, then drop. “I wasn’t thinking.”
“I didn’t tell you to bring any because I have extra in my truck,” I tell her.
Her mouth forms a silent O .
“Go put your pajamas on. You can help me make up your bunk when you’re done.”
She bites her lip as she nods, then carries the lantern back to the cabin to get her backpack.
“Handy you have extra bedding packed.” Fisher says it casually, but I hear the suspicion.
“It pays to be prepared.” It’s a douchey, condescending answer. But it’s not a lie.
“Uh-huh.” He picks up an armful of items. “Still don’t know how the oil ended up in the Food Hall,” he grumbles as he walks away.
I almost snort but clear my throat instead and pick up the rest of the food.
It’s not like I yelled at him for forgetting the oil, so I don’t know why he can’t just let it go.
I cross paths with Courtney as she cuts back across the clearing toward the outhouse.
Her eyes are on mine the whole time, and I seriously wonder if it would be disgusting for our first time to be in an outhouse.
She passes me, and I carry on to the cabin.
It’s for the best.
I would be happy to fuck her anywhere. On the ground. Against a tree. Over the hand sanitizer in the outhouse.
But Courtney deserves better.
I don’t know what her past boyfriends have been like. But I’m going to be better than them.
Boyfriends.
That word doesn’t feel right in relation to my Cookie.
For starters, I’m too fucking old to be someone’s boyfriend.
Then there’s the fact that we haven’t slept together. Or talked much.
And… I’m her boss .
I step into the cabin, and Fisher moves out of the way so I can set my armful down next to the rest of the food on the small counter in the back corner of the cabin.
“Want me to go get the extra bunk stuff out of your truck?” Fisher asks, attention zeroed in on my features. “Or do you want to do it?”
This feels like a test.
And as much as it annoys me that my employee is the one doing it, I can respect it.
“Go ahead and grab it. There’s a bed roll and blankets under the back seat. Bring it all.”
He dips his chin. “Pillow?”
“No pillow.” I knew I’d forget something. “She can use mine.”
The side of his mouth twitches. “You sure you can go without, old man? I could always lend her mine.”
“I’m sure, Junior . I’ve used rolled-up shirts for pillows more times than you’ve?—”
A loud belch cuts me off, and we both turn to look at the man responsible.
Fisher laughs. “Damn, dude.”
The man pats his belly. “Wanted to get that out before the lady came back.”
I roll my eyes.
I’m going to owe Courtney after making her share a cabin with all these men.
But hopefully their snores and body noises will cover the sound of me climbing out of my bunk and into hers.